Ron Shaw is the reason there’s professional tennis in New Haven. I’ve known Ron, his son and daughter since I came to Connecticut.
This fall Ron is going on safari. Yeah, I’m jealous. His daughter suggested he borrow her camera and see me for a quick camera lesson.
It’s not the kind of thing you can master in a few minutes or a session, There is, however, low hanging fruit that most amateurs don’t get right away. That’s what I set out to teach him.
I explained the three variables in properly exposed photography. He immediately connected and understood how they interact.
“Sharp,” I said. “To me sharp is the most important part of a photo.”
I suggested shooting at very fast shutter speeds because that would freeze any action and it nearly always makes shots crisper and sharper. Often, what looks out-of-focus is just the product of minor motion while the shot is being taken.
I met Ron at the Connecticut Tennis Center where the Pilot Pen is underway. He and I went courtside to get a few snaps.
Here are a few of mine. I wish I’d thought about depth-of-field more. These shots are not fuzzy enough in the background! Though this lens isn’t great for blurring I assume I left some of the effect ‘on the table.’
On my way out I ran into this table of young girls. They were all wearing Energizer Bunny Ears! “May I take a picture?” I asked.
