Reed Hoffmann’s Photography Blog
The Early Bird gets the Light
In the years I spent as a newspaper photographer, I was always jealous of reporters for one thing: they didn’t have to actually witness an event to report on it. They could interview people who had been there. Not so for photographers. If we missed it, we missed it....
Unusual Circumstances can make for Unusual Pictures
When we rented a house in Colorado last week to relax, escape COVID and do some hiking, we didn’t think about the wildfires out there. Staying in Estes Park, they weren’t near us, but we still occasionally smelled smoke and the grand vistas seen in the past were hazy....
NFL Keeps Me Awake at Night
This is the sort of thing that keeps me awake at night. A big NFL assignment, uncertain access and questions about what gear would work best. Welcome to my sleepless nights. I’ve photographed the National Football League since 1980, the first twenty years with the...
A Primer on Metering Modes
Ever wonder what those various metering modes do in your camera? You’re not alone. Most people don’t, and that means they're often used wrongly. Read on if you’d like to use them properly. Cameras today generally offer three main metering modes: Matrix (or Evaluative,...
F-Stops and T-Stops
In photography, f/4 is f/4 is f/4, right? Whether you’re changing lenses, zooming the same lens or comparing exposures with a friend using a different make of lens, f/4 is f/4. The answer is actually, “sometimes yes, sometimes no,” and the reason why is well worth...
Bird Photography Challenges and Solutions
I’ve always said I pity people who like to do bird photography. Their goal is to get close to small critters that don’t want them close, which requires patience and a long lens. It’s a real challenge. I’ve never been much of a birder before, but now, well… COVID. I...
Fighting Cabin Fever with Photography
Photography has always been a balm for me. Picking up a camera and creating something interesting is not just a creative release, but a tonic for stress. And like most of us, I’ve needed that more than ever these past five months. That’s why I’ve started taking photo...
Comet Neowise Prints for Sale
After four trips (and over a thousand miles driving) to dark sky country in the Flint Hills of Kansas, I'm finished shooting the comet Neowise. Three of the four trips resulted in some very nice photos. After posting some of those and writing about the experiences, a...
Planning for Failure, or how I Chased Neowise
By now I assume that anyone into photography knows about comet Neowise, and many have tried to get photos of it. Count me in that second group. And while eventually I was successful, that didn’t happen right away. That’s why I try to plan for failure. Like many, my...
Tips for Better Zoo Photography
If you enjoy photographing wildlife, like I do, one of the best places to practice is at your local zoo. And these days, with COVID and social distancing, open areas at zoos can be a relatively safe way to get out (but keep your mask handy!). However, zoos can often...