We're in the Tamron Kitchen today with Marcie Reif. These posts and podcasts always start with a phone call or two. In my first conversation with Marcie, it was obvious she's entirely focused on her love for portraiture. She builds relationships with her clients, never doing anything just halfway. She loves her career choice. Like a world-class chef, she's always looking to be creative and is always looking for the precise moment to capture the personalities of her subjects, and she's part of an incredible team, the Tamron family. 

About the Image and the 35-150mm F/2.8-4 Di VC OSD lens: This new Tamron lens has become one of Marcie's favorites.

The 35-150mm lens "is based on the new concept of allowing you to concentrate on a wide range of portrait compositions without the interruption of pausing to change lenses. The fast F-stop offers F/2.8 at the wide end while maintaining a bright F/4 at the telephoto end."  

To the core I love photographing the joy of kids and families. Creating a strong and authentic portrait of their pure joy has definitely become my style and what people come to expect from me. This lens gives me a lot of room to play with that. Sometimes I need to be close to them to tickle them or sing. Sometimes I need to be farther away and it's their parents that can bring out that joy in them. Either way I can be close or far away with this lens.  M. Reif 
 
Click on the banner below to find out more about this outstanding lens.

About "Chef" Marcie:  Based out of Atlanta, one trip to Marcie's website and she sets the stage for her expertise as a family photographer. From her opening statement about being a "wife, mother and artist," to her description of her style of photography, there's no question of her goal to meet each client's mindset.

​My goal is to deliver you a unique set of images that are artistic, natural, and warm by mixing childhood images with connections to love. My style and heart lead to very natural photographs. I always try to deliver my clients images of their family “being” a family. This may mean singing, dancing, playing together, or maybe just some ginormous hugs! I LOVE to capture kids being themselves because best moments come when you set them up, sit back, and wait. M. Reif

​Stay tuned for Part II of Marcie's recipe coming next Tuesday with her podcast. She'll be sharing a lot of great insight into how she's built her business and reputation. She's a passionate artist with outstanding listening skills allowing her to better define each client's goals and relationships with a solid foundation of trust.

Just click on Marcie's Tamron Recipe image above to visit her website. And, follow her on Instagram and Facebook too.

​What a kick this new series is to build and share each month. Join us next Tamron Tuesday when we share Marcie's podcast together with more of her images. Things never slow down in the Tamron Kitchen!

Last month we shared a podcast packed full with great insight and a series of images by Tamron "Chef," Lisa Langell. The Tamron Recipe series always receives a great response, and today, Lisa's back with one of her recipes for success - how to photograph hummingbirds. The fun of working with Lisa is her attention to detail, combined with her willingness to share just about everything she's learned over the years to help more photographers fine-tune their skill set.

This new guest post is loaded with good solid information, especially Lisa's observations on the importance of "re-imagining nature photography" for today's contemporary clients and the interiors of their homes.​

Lisa's hummingbird images are all captured with Tamron's 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD lens. Just like Lisa's approach to photography, Tamron never slows down in manufacturing some of the very best optics in imaging. And, they're just as focused on helping photographers improve their skill set to help capture the very best photographs.

To find out more about this outstanding lens, click on the thumbnail to the left. The 70-210 lens is also included in Tamron's Spring Rebate program through July 6, 2019 with a $200 instant savings at authorized Tamron dealers.

Check out more of Lisa's work and her workshop schedule with a visit to her website. Just click on the banner below. While her August workshops are already sold out, with some classes, she maintains a waitlist. Make sure you sign up for her FREE newsletter, so you're always up to date on her workshops, trips, and latest information to help you become a better artist.

by Lisa Langell
​
​Creating wildlife and nature photography that works well into the interior designs of homes, offices and more is a true passion of mine.  Echoing back to my years long ago of working as a floral designer with other interior decorators to transform the indoors, I learned a great deal about people’s palates, tastes, design techniques, and decorating trends. 

Making wildlife photography something people want to hang in trendy, well-decorated and designed homes requires transforming how we perceive what constitutes “nature photography.”   We must go beyond the “rules” and restrictions long-associated with “classic” magazine and calendar-style photography.  It requires re-imagining how we photograph, process, print and display our work so that it is on-trend with the decorative and artistic look of today’s indoor environments. 

The high-key style hummingbird photography I do is just one example of re-imagining nature photography for today’s interiors.  Here is how it is done.
 
Recipe for Hummingbird High Key Setups

1 hummingbird feeder (which inevitably attracts bees and wasps, detested by hummingbirds)

3-4 speedlite flashes positioned about 18-24 inches from the bird, set to Manual, at 1/16th to 1/32nd power.
 
Zoom and aperture settings variable to achieve the light and look you need, depending on the placement of the flashes.

1 white backdrop about 24-36 inches behind the bird

1 flash positioned to illuminate white backdrop set to no higher than 1/8 power

1 camera on a tripod - Set camera to the following settings (slight adjustments made as needed):

• Focus on the hummingbird feeder and then set your camera to Manual Focus so it will not “hunt” with each shot
• Shutter Speed:  1/160th  to 1/200th second
• Aperture:  f/18 to f/25
• ISO:  100 to 200

​1 Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC USD lens

1 remote trigger (I do not recommend the type that requires line-of-sight communication)

1 or more stunningly gorgeous hummingbirds
 
Directions:

• Ensure your flashes are set to communicate with each other.  Depending on the brand and model, you may need to utilize the built-in master/slave settings, wireless communication via  via a trigger, by using pocket wizards and PC Sync cords, or other methods.
• Enable your “highlight alert” (a.k.a., “blinkies”) on your camera and ensure that the flash for the backdrop is positioned in such a way as to over-expose the white backdrop. 
• As the birds come in toward the feeder, or pull back from it, trigger the shot.  The flashes being set to 1/16 to 1/32nd power are what stops the high-speed wingbeats of the bird, not your camera’s shutter.  
• This method is “part art and part science,” so you will want to explore your options with positioning the flashes and the settings used.  You may also add flowers to the shot, or replace the feeder entirely with flowers for other effects.

"Don't just stand there; make something happen!"
Lee Iacocca

Welcome back to Tamron Recipes. This is our fifth episode, and the insight shared by each guest keeps getting better and better. There are a few common denominators with all of these fine "chefs," their passion for what they're doing in imaging and a never-wavering quest for success.

​The Lee Iacocca quote we found seemed like it was written for Lisa. She never slows down in her quest to capture images that stop us in our tracks. She's making things "happen," and in turn having an impact on her students, fans and the world of fine art in nature photography. She's focused not only on her subjects but pushing the creative envelope with her technique. 
​ 
Looking through her galleries, it was so hard to choose images to share with today's podcast. One image we wanted to make sure was part of the series is the companion portrait of the hummingbird with the wasp in the scene. We shared our favorite of the two in last week's post.

Lisa used Tamron's 70-210mm /F4 Di VC USD lens on a Canon EOS 7D body. Each Tamron Recipe is always in two parts, starting with an outstanding image, followed by the story behind it, as well as more about the "chef."  

Lisa's first recipe in the Tamron Kitchen is just a click away.  And, check out the 70-210 lens with a click on the thumbnail to the right. There's also a great rebate program going on right now at your Tamron dealer. Savings information on other Tamron lenses is just a click away on the banner below.

Visiting Lisa's galleries you'll immediately notice her diversity as a photographer and an artist. There's such a wide variety of presentations. In describing her approach to fine art nature photography she wrote:

Making wildlife photography something people want to hang in trendy, well-decorated and designed homes requires transforming how we perceive what constitutes “nature photography.”  We must go beyond the “rules” and restrictions long-associated with “classic” magazine and calendar-style photography.  It requires re-imagining how we photograph, process, print and display our work so that it is on-trend with the decorative and artistic look of today’s indoor environments.  

Click on any image below to visit Lisa's website!

Lisa Langell joins us today in the Tamron Kitchen. Talking to Lisa, it becomes obvious she never does anything halfway. As a contemporary artist, she loves what she's doing and especially the diversity into the fine art world. Like a great chef, she never slows down on creating her very best images with each click of the shutter. She never misses an opportunity to share her work, and she's part of an incredible team, the Tamron family. 

About the Image and the 70-210mm /F4 Di VC USD lens:  The 70-210 mm lens is one of Lisa's favorites and has enabled her to capture images, especially with hummingbirds that are different than what we usually expect to see with wildlife. Click on the banner below to find out more about this incredible lens.
 
About "Chef" Lisa: Lisa's had an incredibly diverse career starting in floral design, then psychology. She was a well-respected educational psychologist and International Consultant working in the school sector with a love for photography as a hobby since childhood. In 2010 she started her photography business but didn't go full-time as a career until 2016. 

​Lisa's also done a lot of research on flash photography with animals, especially birds. Her images aren't just about creating stunning images, but very much focused on the ethics of working with wildlife: 

"The ethics of using flash photography with animals and birds is something which I have spent considerable time researching before I comfortably employed these techniques specifically with hummingbirds. I am highly conscientious of being a good steward of our natural world and wanted to understand any impact low power flash photography may have on hummingbirds before engaging in this type of photography. The peer reviewed published literature available, although limited, suggests it does not cause harm." 

Stay tuned for Part II of Lisa's Tamron Recipe coming next Tuesday with her podcast. She's an amazing artist focused not only on her subjects but trends in fine art and her business. She's also a big fan of education, and in her hummingbird workshops, for example, every student has their own setup to maximize learning. 

Lisa's website is just a click away. And to maximize the viewing of her image above, just give it a click and view it in the SCU LightBox.

“Your true success in life begins only when you make the commitment
to become excellent at what you do.” 
Brian Tracy

Welcome to Tamron Recipes. This is our fourth episode and what a trip it's been so far. If you've joined us for the first three episodes, you'll notice a familiar theme, the recipe for success.

​There are so many quotes about success, but this new one we chose to share by Brian Tracy certainly hits on the importance of a commitment to be the very best. It almost seems like it was written for both our guest "chef," Mike Moats, as well at Tamron USA! 
​
Mike is on a never-ending quest to capture images from a world most of us never really see. "Tiny Landscapes" is his website and it's perfect for his love of macro photography. In this new podcast, he shares a lot of wonderful insight and his love for the craft couldn't be more obvious.
 
For his first photograph, which we shared last week, he used Tamron's SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD lens on a FUJI S5 body. Each Tamron Recipe is always in two parts, starting with an outstanding image, followed by the story behind it, as well as more about the "chef."  

Mike's first recipe in the Tamron Kitchen is just a click away.  And, check out the SP 90mm lens with a click on the thumbnail to the right. There's also a great rebate program going on right now at your Tamron dealer. Savings information on other Tamron lenses is just a click way on the banner below.

​It's our fourth episode of Tamron Recipes. Time really does fly when you're having a good time. Looking back on the original idea, which seems like yesterday, we underestimated how much fun these would be to create. Even more important has been how much great information each artist is willing to share and their diversity. ​

​With each new post, we always comment on "the recipe for success."  We all know the expression, and there are four primary ingredients: ​

Mike Moats is with us in the Tamron Kitchen. And, like our previous artists his career matches that quote above. Mike loves what he's doing and especially the diversity in the images he shares. He never slows down on giving it his very best with each click of the shutter. He never misses an opportunity to share pieces of the world that most of us miss. And, Mike's part of an incredible team, the Tamron family. 

About the Image and the SP90 mm lens:  The 90mm is Mike's go-to lens for much of his macro work. We loved Tamron's explanation for one of the reasons why this is such a great lens for macro work: "Minute objects are projected on the camera’s image sensors at a magnification ratio of 1:1 so that the photographer can enjoy a macro world on print that would otherwise be impossible to experience with the naked eye."

Being a great macro photographer is about so much more than just getting in close - it's about finding character in your subjects, which is no different than a portrait artist - just in a smaller world, as Mike explains:

Finding character: When you are out shooting, go slowly and take the time to study every subject for interesting characteristics. All settings that contain flowers, leaves, trees, and bugs have the potential to reveal elements of character. Character is reflected in an object’s distinctive shape, remarkable lines, exceptional contrast, unusual pattern, unique texture, or special light. Finding character in nature is about creating images that set themselves apart from the ordinary and mundane that most photographers capture.

About "Chef" Mike: Mike's an award-winning photographer who started shooting as a hobby in 2001. Today's it's his full-time business and his images have been published in Outdoor Photographer Magazine, Natures Best Magazine, PC Photo Magazine, Nature Photographer Magazine, Photolife, Whisper In The Woods, Michigan Game Finder, NANPA’s Expressions Books, Pure Michigan Book, and Tamron and Fujifilm's Newsletters. 

He's also no stranger here at SCU and has always been willing to share his images and insight to help you become a better photographer. But, what's missing in his bio is his incredible passion for the craft, teaching and becoming one of the industry's most respected educators. Check out his workshop schedule, the Macro Photo Club and definitely wander through his galleries!

Stay tuned for Part II of Mike's Tamron Recipe coming next Tuesday with his podcast. You'll immediately pick up on his love for photography and education. Plus, we'll be sharing more of his work with a series of stunning images! Check out Mike's website with a click on his image above. 

As you listen to the podcast you'll pick up on Tara's enthusiasm and love for the craft. Take the time to check out her work, especially the way she's positioned Military, Motherhood and Memories the minute you enter her website. Tara's definitely a "chef" who should be on your radar.

​Click on any of her images below to visit her site. 
​

​Welcome to our third episode of Tamron Recipes. Looking back on the original idea, it seemed like a fun way to introduce you to some talented artists and at the same time Tamron's outstanding optics. We underestimated how much fun this would be to share, and the fantastic insight each artist would bring to the podcast part of each recipe.

We've all heard people talk about "the recipe for success." That recipe is always changing depending on the individual, but as we've shared in each post, there are still four essential ingredients. ​

Tara Ruby joins us, and she's another amazing artist who lives by that quote from Ben Fairless:  Tara loves the career path she's chosen, and it's evident in each image she shares. She defines the art of listening when working with her clients. Her goal with each subject never changes - to tell their story in each image and exceed the client's expectations. She never compromises on anything but giving each photograph her very best. And, without question, Tara's part of a remarkable team, the Tamron family.

About the Image and the 15-30mm G2 lens: Tara told us the 15-30 mm has become her "go to" lens and sent us several images to choose from. In the photograph we chose for today's recipe, we loved the narrow depth of field and her camera angle. Put that together with her lighting, and it was different from so many sleeping baby images we've seen. 

About "Chef" Tara: Tara's focus for her business is in three parts: Motherhood, Military, and Memories. She's a passionate artist, and as you wander into her website three slides come up that tell you everything you need to know about her:
​

• "I Understand Motherhood: From the first heartbeat to the first latch I can capture it all."
• "I Understand Military: I am a disabled military veteran owned business with a deep passion to support our military."
• "I Create Memories: How will your great-grandchildren view the memories you make today...let me help you with that."

Stay tuned for Part II of Tara's Tamron Recipes, and you'll spot her love for the craft in everything she talks about in the podcast. Plus, we'll be sharing more of her work. Check out Tara's website with a click on her image above and then join us next week for her podcast.

Welcome back to Tamron Recipes. I know I'm dating myself to use an expression like this, but my co-host Chamira Young and I are having a blast with this new series and we so appreciate the nice feedback. Comparing talented artists/photographers to great chefs is so accurate. Each image truly is a feast for our eyes and often hearts. (Sorry, it's hard not to drop a pun in now and then!)  
 
All of us use or hear the word recipe every day, most of the time in reference to either food or success. Our guest on this new podcast is Jonathan Thorpe, and if this were an episode of "Iron Chef" he'd be one of the resident Iron Chef's standing next to Bobby Flay and Michael Simon in Kitchen Stadium. 

Jonathan shares a lot of great insight into his passion for the craft and his journey into the business of being a successful professional photographer. Listening to the podcast above you'll pick up on his love for imaging almost immediately. 

​Jonathan is the ultimate storyteller, sharing images that have us looking into each photograph rather than just at them, and the SP 45mm is one of his favorite go-to lenses.

His recipe for the initial image, shared last week, was captured with Tamron's SP 45mm F.1.8 Di VC USD lens and a Canon 5D Mark IV.  Tamron Recipes always comes in two parts, first with a great image and then the story behind the photograph as well as the "chef." 

Jonathan's first recipe in the Tamron Kitchen is just a click away.  And check out the SP 45mm lens with a click on the thumbnail above, which is also included in Tamron's New Year Savings program going on through March 2, 2019. Just click on the banner below.

by Skip Cohen

​The word recipe is used over and again in so many conversations and often beyond food. We've all heard it in reference to business models and especially "the recipe for success."  ​

Welcome back to Tamron Recipes! This is our second in the series, and we're sharing the ingredients for great photography, and combining imaging with success by one of the finest "chefs" in the industry.

Jonathan Thorpe joins us, and he lives by the quote above from Ben Fairless:  Jonathan loves the career path he's chosen. He never compromises on anything but the best, and his creativity never slows down, capturing images that always tell a story.  And, without question, he's part of a remarkable team, the Tamron family.

About the Image and the SP 45mm lens: The image was created/captured in the local backyard of a friend's home. On the upcoming podcast, you'll hear Jonathan refer to the SP 45mm as one of his favorite "go to" lenses.

About "Chef" Jonathan:  Getting to know Jonathan started with the Tamron Image Masters many years ago.  There’s always more to his images than just a great photograph – he’s the ultimate storyteller, often sharing images that leave us looking into them, not just at them.  He's a commercial and advertising photographer out of the D.C. area, but I'm not sure there's anything he can't photograph, and always with the passion that's become his signature.

Jonathan never slows down in making photography "fun," both from the capture side as well as viewing. "Fun" is one of those words so often lost in business today, but he never disappoints. His tagline of a photographer, director, gentlemen says it all.
 
​There's a lot of Jonathan's work in the SCU archives. He needs to be on your radar. Just click on his image above to visit his website. And, you'll often find him speaking in the Tamron USA booth at the various conventions!

On my bucket list of things to do in photography is someday being a crew member on one of Jonathan's shoots. His ability to tell a story isn't always limited to the final image. He's a team player and I loved this shot of the whole crew when it was all over!

Assistant: Erich Morse
Monster: Helen Bloom
Additional Makeup: Joan Jones
Costume: FXCA Studios
Location Owner: Brad Masters

​Welcome to Part II of our new Tamron Recipes series. We're sharing the ingredients for great photography and combining imaging and success by some of the finest "chefs" in the industry but in a new podcast. 

On January 21, working with the team at Tamron, we launched a fun new feature from the Tamron Kitchen. We're sharing some terrific recipes every month.

We've all heard the word "recipe" over and again, most of the time about either food or success.  And, having fun with the popularity of reality food shows, we're talking with some of the finest "chefs" in contemporary photography.

We want to go beyond their recipes for photography.  They're sharing insight into their passion for the craft and their journey into the business of being a successful professional photographer. 

​David Akoubian joined us in the first post, with his recipe for a stunning image from the Tetons captured with Tamron's SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD G2 lens and a Nikon D850.  Now he's back with a terrific podcast and talking about his career, his love for the outdoors and insight to help you look at your own journey as an artist.

David's first recipe shared in the Tamron Kitchen is just a click away. The two images below were also captured with the SP 24-70mm lens. 

Although David's core passion is about the outdoors with landscape and wildlife, there's probably nothing he hasn't photographed. His diversity in his galleries, which we talked a little about in the podcast, is a demonstration of his passion for the craft. From macro to critters and portraits, he's a "chef" who needs to be on your radar. Click on any of his images to visit Bear Woods Photography.

And, when you visit David's website make sure you follow his blog. He's always sharing great images and information to help you raise the bar on your skill set!

Over the years we've all heard the word "recipe" over and again, most of the time in relation to either food or success.  B. F. Fairless, a 20th Century American steel executive wrote:

Welcome to Tamron Recipes where we're sharing the ingredients for great photography and combining imaging and success by some of the finest "chefs" in the industry.

​David Akoubian joins us in this first episode, and following B.F. Fairless's lead:  He's chosen a career path he loves; always gives it his best; he rarely slows down seizing/capturing incredible images and without question he's part of remarkable team, the Tamron family.

About the Image and the 24-70mm lens: The image was captured around 6:00 am just as the sun was coming up. We talked with David about this image and photographing in the Grand Tetons.

About "Chef" David: Based out of Jasper, Georgia, Bear Woods Photography is all about David's love for photography, education and travel. Living in the mountains of North Georgia with his wife Evelyn, they're in an area they named Bear Woods.

​We've shared a lot of David's work and videos over the years here at SCU. He definitely needs to be on your radar. Just click on his image above to visit his website and don't forget to check out his workshop schedule. You'll never be disappointed in a class with David!

Stay tuned - there's a lot more coming this year from the "Tamron Kitchen." And, if you'd like more information about this remarkable new G2 lens, just click on the banner below.