I hope you felt some sunshine last month.

February can feel endless, like a class you don't want to be in. I bailed out early and went to the desert, I'd recommended you do something similar even if you don't have a hall pass.

In this issue, I talk about the most requested technique from the readers, a funny person to follow, and a drone that makes photos look amazing.

Be stoked,

Isaac

New Places

Barcelona, Spain is a great city and I'm sure you know of it. What most people don't know is that just 1.5 hrs away is Montserrat.

Located in a group of mountains with a name that translates to "Needles" is possibly the most beautiful monastery in the world.
Priests roam the grounds and farmers sell local cheese and honey on the roadside. It's idyllic.

The mountains have hiking trails and climbing routes throughout and the warm Spanish weather makes it easy to explore. I'm planning on a return trip here soon.

Google Maps Pin

Gear

We all need a fresh perspective sometimes. My new favorite perspective is from a drone.

I use the DJI Phantom 4 Pro. Now, I know the Mavic and the Air are smaller and faster to set up, but what I like about the Phantom 4 Pro is the photo quality. The depth and liquid feel of the images can't be matched by the smaller drones. Where the camera really shines is in low light. I set it to "tripod" mode and take up to 6 second exposures with perfect clarity.

In non Dadtographer speak, it's just better than all the other drones.

At $1,500 its so much less than a DSLR camera but will bring your photos to the next level.

Side note: It's really fun to fly.

DJI Phantom 4 Pro

Who I'm loving on Instagram

@mattcutshall

I find that most funny creators on Instagram eventually tell the same jokes over and over and I stop thinking its funny.

Matt is refreshingly different with videos that are actually funny and creative. I wouldn't call his videos mature, but compared to the grade school aged humor from other Vine stars, Matt's comedy is relatable.

If you follow one comedian on Instagram it should be this guy.

Give him a follow here

Music I'm Diggin'

There is something about bringing world music and good beats together that puts me in a cruisin' mood.

Eternal Youth by Rude has what I think is traditional Chinese Ruan guitar samples that rise and fall with a beat you can run to, work to, or just chill to.

This song is different enough to stand out in your mix but not one you will skip after just a few plays. It's a keeper.

Give it a spin.

Videos, Movies, and TV

I tend to think of overpopulation as a rock and a hard place for the human race.

I love that we value humans enough to let them choose how many children we have and that we care enough to create cures for the worlds tragic problems. But, on the flip side if you have ever seen a graph of the population growth in the last 100 years you know it's unsustainable over the next 100.

This video from Bill Gates (who I have so much respect for) is an eye-opener and really shows a path forward that is both compassionate for humans and sustainable for our earth. It's not a perfect solution and it doesn't pretend to be, but it is hopeful.

It's worth a watch. I know it encouraged me to do more research on how I can help future generations.

Watch it here

Reads

Despite my reputation for always doing, I love techniques to encourage my motivation.

The Motivation Myth by Jeff Haden has been just what I need to create momentum. I've used his techniques and stories to shape my current working schedule and it has been insanely productive.

I'd recommend this even if you are working towards your dreams but still making coffee for a living.

Give it a read or listen

The Motivation Myth

Photo Technique

And the winner is...

I received over 150 messages from you all asking to learn techniques from drone timelapse to how to pack for backcountry trips. It's clear to me that you all love the tips and tricks.

This month the most asked about technique was low light or blue hour photos. @erin.elizabeth.n is the winning message (email me your address Erin so I can send you the sunglasses)

Blue Hour Photos

Low light is one of my favorite times to shoot. After the sun is below the horizon everything becomes soft and every light source looks romantic and warm. Here are my settings and tips for a great blue hour photo.

Be ready to shoot before the moment arrives. Blue hour can last 15 minutes or an hour, but it is a very short window. Do what you need to have your camera in hand and ready to shoot.
Use your fastest lens. I prefer a 1.4, but a 2.8 will work as well. This will allow you to get the most light on your sensor and keep your ISO in a manageable range for clearer photos.
Find a subject that has a light on it or from it. For instance, car headlights are super fun to shoot in this light. Shooting subjects lit by a campfire or other lights source looks great too. What you are trying to do here is balance the soft blues with soft warm light. Look for where the lights are "glowing" to create an engaging photo.
ISO: I use the least amount of ISO possible and usually no more than 6400 for the Canon 5D Mark IV is used. Your camera may be able to do more or less depending on what it looks like. Grainy is ok but it needs to look clear and sharp, so I don't usually shoot into the higher ranges of ISO on my camera.
Shutter Speed: Usually I start around 1/125 and move slower from there. I try to not shoot handheld lower than the focal length of my lens. 24mm= 1/30 shutter or faster. 16mm = 1/20 shutter or faster. You will need to be very steady to get a sharp image with these speeds. Practice makes perfect.
Focusing: Your camera will have a hard time finding focus in low light. I like to use live view on my LCD and zoom all the way into my subject. Manual focus until sharp, zoom out and shoot the image. It is time consuming, but better than your camera hunting for focus and never finding it. Focus on either the face of your subject or the light source (like car headlights).
Editing: I often don't have to do much to my blue hour images. Sometimes the sky can look purple because the camera will have a hard time finding Auto white balance in low light. Fix this in post with warmth, tint, and color balance.

Practice these techniques by shooting as much in blue hour as possible and find out what works best for you and the camera you are working with. This is so fun when you get it right.

Good Luck!

Thanks as always for reading this newsletter. I'm happy you keep opening it.

This is a two-way email, so feel free to email me with any questions or to say hello.

Be stoked and have a great month,

Isaac

Stoke-Ness March '18 Newsletter