The B.P.T.P.

What Is More Important To Photography, Cameras or Humans?

Levi Wardell — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:40:58 +0000

So what do you think is more important to photography, cameras or humans? I am amazed at how many times I’ve heard someone say ‘oh I’m not a real photography, just look at this clunky old camera I use.’ But then I look at the images they produce and they are amazing. Okay, I’m not so amazed, to be honest it doesn’t surprise me at all.

The industry has become so enamored with the technology used to capture digital photographs, many-a-newbie fail to realize that photography is more about you and I, the photographer. Photography is about the realization of the mind behind the eye… behind the view finder. Without that, the equipment would be nothing more than a hunk of metal and plastic.

I remember when I first started attending the New York Institute of Photography, one of the first things that was said was most photographers begin with a fascination over the technology before realizing the truth about what makes a photographer great.

If you enjoy going out and finding the best places to take pictures, the coolest subjects to compose, evaluating your lighting, finding ways to bring light to the beauty around you, or just hearing the shutter release… THAT is what is most important to photography.

As an example, I was looking through a 2007 edition of Digital Photography magazine a while back and came across their regular competition winners. The grand prize was won with a photo taken in Washington DC… with a DISPOSABLE camera.

So the next time you look down and you’re holding a 4 year old SLR with some wear and tear on it and get discouraged, think about why you enjoy photography. Think about the shots you have shared with your friends and what they have said about the pictures.

Next time you ask yourself what is more important to photography, cameras or humans… remember, it’s the humans. Its you.

Lazy 5 Ranch

Levi Wardell — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:51:55 +0000

Description: Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, North Carolina is a safari right here in North Carolina. It’s got to be the best kept secret in the Charlotte area. Kids and photographers love it. Check out Lazy5Ranch.com. Admittedly, it’s not the best website but you’ll have a blast. You have the option to take a horse-drawn wagon ride or take your car (not your favorite one) through the trail. Animals literally come up to your car to be fed. You can buy some cheap feed and the animals will give you all the photo ops your heart can take. Turn up your shutter speed up and go through the trail. After you’ve completed the trail you can also tour the petting zoo. You’ll love it!

The State This Place is in: North Carolina

Nearest City or Town: Charlotte

Best Season: Spring, Summer

Types of Photography: Wildlife

Website: Lazy Five Ranch

Contact Phone Number: 704.663.5100

Contributor’s Name: Deago Meadows

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Eastern Neck Island Natl Wildlife Refuge

Levi Wardell — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 15:29:21 +0000

Description: Just south of Rock Hall on Route 445, this refuge is home to all sorts of wildlife. While we were there we even saw wild turkeys! There are different lookout points but even driving through provides opportunity to take some great shots.

The State This Place is in: Maryland

Nearest City or Town: Rock Hall

Best Season: Summer, Fall, Spring

Types of Photography: Wildlife, Nature, Landscape

Equipment Recommendations: Wide Angle Lenses, Zoom (300mm or more)

Google Map:

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Desert Botanical Garden

Levi Wardell — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:48:58 +0000

Description: The Botanical Gardens is part of Papago Park and has some of the most unique flowers in the world. They are all desert style so some you may recognize, but most of them will provide a very unique opportunity for taking pictures in Arizona that you won’t forget.

The State This Place is in: Arizona

Nearest City or Town: Phoenix

Best Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Types of Photography: flowers, macro, people, landscape

More Information: http://www.dbg.org/index.php

Google Map:

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Papago Park

Levi Wardell — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 03:37:25 +0000

Description: This is a good place to take pictures of the red rocks in Arizona. Some have actually said the pictures you can get at Papago Park are as good as Sedona park.

The State This Place Is In: Arizona

Nearest City or Town: Phoenix

Type of Photography: landscape, nature, wildlife

Best Season to Shoot: Summer and Fall

Appropriate Equipment: wide angle lens, polarization filter, macro zoom lens, trip/monopod

Google Map:

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The White House

Levi Wardell — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:58:01 +0000

Description: The White House is a must-see place in Washington DC. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW. If you’re lucky, Air Force 2 may be on the South Lawn when you’re there! You can take a tours if your party has 10 or more persons in it and tickets may be obtained through your congress person.

The State This Place is in: Washington DC

Nearest City or Town: Washington DC

Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Types of Photography: Architecture, Historic, Cityscape, Street

Equipment Recommendations: Wide Angle Lenses, Good walking shoes NOTE - YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE A MONOPOD OR TRIPOD WHEN SHOOTING THE WHITE HOUSE

View a virtual tour: http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/life/video/index.html

Google Map:

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Dupont Circle

Levi Wardell — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:19:28 +0000

Description: There are a lot of great places to take pictures in
Washington DC. Dupont Circle is one of them. Museums all over the
place are good for art photography. The park usually has some great
flowers to get shots of city/floral mixed landscapes. And the
nightlife lends itself to some amazing street photography. I’d say
street photography would be what you could get the most of here. That
and historical architecture.

Check out this gallery of pictures from Washington DC’s Dupont Circle

The State This Place is in: Washington DC

Nearest City or Town: Washington DC

Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Types of Photography: Architecture, Historic, Cityscape, Street

Equipment Recommendations: Wide Angle Lenses, Tripod or Monopod, Good walking shoes

More Information: http://dc.about.com/od/neigborhoodprofiles/p/DupontCircle.htm

Google Map:

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Mission San Francisco de Asís

Levi Wardell — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:57:08 +0000

Description: The mission in San Francisco is the oldest building in the Bay area. The inside remains as it was built in the early 1700’s. The Indian artwork is colourful and something I’ve never seen
anywhere else. Outside the remains of the cemetary can be seen that dates back to a time before the California Gold Rush.

The State This Place is in: California

Nearest City or Town: San Francisco

Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall

Types of Photography: Architecture, Historic, Churches

Equipment Recommendations: A fast lens, flash unit, tripod

More Information: http://www.californiamissions.com/cahistory/dolores.html

Google Map:
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Highland Mountain Bike Park

Levi Wardell — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 12:26:03 +0000

This Place is Sponsored by:

Description: HMBP is the only lift access freeride bike park that is ONLY for bikes in the nation (as of press
time). Their trails have some sick drops, banks, rocks, and all around great shots to capture when riders are on the trails. Just make sure you keep your eyes open and stay out of the way.

Photographs and Place Contribution by: Skye Nacel

The State This Place is in: New Hampshire

Nearest City or Town: Northfield

Best Season: Spring, Summer, Fall

Types of Photography: Adventure, Sport

Equipment Recommendations: A fast lens, flash unit, monopod

More Information: http://www.highlandmountain.com/

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Rural Kansas

Suzy Chase-Osborne — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:09:35 +0000

Contributed by: Suzy Chase Osborne

Description: These photos we’re taken about an hour straight west of
Topeka, Kansas off of I-70.

The State This Place is in: Kansas

Nearest City or Town: Topeka

Best Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Types of Photography: Landscape, historic, wild life
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