The Best Camera in the World?

By Essdras M Suarez, a two-time Pulitzer prizewinner and a Kennedy award winner for photojournalism. Captured with iPhone 6 at Christopher Columbus Cemetery (Cemetario de Colon), Havana, Cuba I feel one cannot tackle this question without first establishing a photography quintessence. As Ansel Adams so eloquently stated: “The single most important component of a camera is […]
Panama, Visiting Home

Ever since I left my native country of Panama when I was 18 years old, I’ve always tried to visit at least once a year. Sometimes my travel schedule has gotten to be so crazy that I’ve had to skip a visit here and there. The result of those missing visits becomes painfully obvious to […]
Cuba – A Photographer’s Delight – 2021

Highlights Leader: Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Essdras M Suarez Assistant – Cuban Photography Instructor Joel Hernández Marín Access to artisans and free enterprise Meet with photographers and artists in Havana to discuss their work and the important role art plays in the lives of Cubans Learn to improve the artistic and technical aspects of your photography Experience […]
ON PANNING

A great technique to depict motion is panning because of its ability to combines camera movement and slow shutter it can produce extraordinary results. It is a tool best used to depict motion around a moving subject, which usually is moving horizontally and preferably parallel to the camera. However, this technique requires practice and a […]
ON SILHOUETTES

Dubrovnik, Croatia LESSON: ON SILHOUETTES One of the key points when it comes to silhouettes is the separation between compositional elements. In other words, you want your silhouettes to be immediately recognized for what they are I.e. a person walking, a couple on a bench, people on the phone, all by a moored boat, etc. Quick […]
How to create a great “sunburst”

This optical effect refers to the creation of a very defined sunburst with clearly discernible spikes or rays originating from the source of light i.e. the sun. As opposed to a blob of light without define borders or edges. This applies to all different sources of light such as the sun or artificial lights. This […]
US Capitol attack aftermath: Should photojournalists play an active role in identifying rioters?

By Essdras M Suarez Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist The short answer for me is no. No, I don’t believe we should be actively involved in the identifying of perpetrators. Nor should we be expected to voluntarily hand over our images to the authorities. For that is not the job of a photojournalist. Now, if the photos […]
On Paying Attention to Details

LESSON: When it comes to Street Photography looking for repeating patterns and paying attention to details while assessing the chaos of daily life can yield satisfying results… TECH STUFF: #nikonD5/ 70-200mm 2.8 / ISO 250/ F 4.0 / 1/ 1,000th Herzeg Novi, Montenegro 10/07 2019 […]
ON SHOOTING FOR THE HIGHLIGHTS

LESSON: Exposing for the highlights, one of my favorite techniques, will bring down the mid and dark tones; thus increasing contrast and color saturation. In other words, if the camera sensor told me this scene should’ve been photographed at 1/500th of a second- keeping all other variables the same- I usually override the camera reading and underexpose by a factor […]
On Sticking to your choices and having a bit of luck

This past Saturday, May 1, 2020, the Navy’s Bluebirds and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds soared over Baltimore and the DC metro area skies in honor of the thousands of doctors, nurses, first responders, and essential workers serving on the front line day-in and day-out during this crisis. […]