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Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/ 

Last Week’s Topic: F-Stops and How to Use Them

Last week we discussed f-stops and how they affect both exposure and depth of field. F-stops are one of the most important controls in photography because they help determine how much light enters the lens and how much of the scene appears sharp. We talked about using wide apertures for portraits and low-light situations, and smaller apertures for landscapes, groups, and scenes where front-to-back sharpness is important.

We also covered some of the common challenges photographers run into when working with f-stops. A wide aperture can make it hard to keep multiple subjects sharp, while a very small aperture can lead to slower shutter speeds or reduced sharpness from diffraction. The key takeaway was that aperture works best when it is chosen with a clear purpose, not just set by habit.

This Week’s Topic: AE-L, AF-L, and *-Buttons

This week we continue with camera controls and take a closer look at the AE-L, AF-L, and -buttons. These buttons are often found on DSLR and mirrorless cameras, and they give photographers more control over exposure and focus. Once you understand what they do, they can make shooting faster, more consistent, and more flexible.

AE-L stands for auto exposure lock. It lets you lock in the camera’s exposure reading so it does not change when you recompose the shot. This is especially helpful when the subject is in one part of the frame but you want to place it somewhere else for a better composition. Read more …

Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/ 

Photography Discussion Roundtable Net Newsletter
Heard Monday nights on the BrandMeister DMR network, talkgroup 31266, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern

Last Week’s Topic: Night Photography

Last week we explored night photography, a creative style that uses low light to capture city scenes, stars, headlights, illuminated buildings, and other subjects after dark. Night photography challenges us to work carefully with long exposures, tripod stability, focus, and exposure control. It can produce dramatic and memorable images because the darkness adds mood, contrast, and a sense of atmosphere that daytime photography often cannot match.

We also talked about some of the common issues that come with night shooting, including camera shake, noise, and difficulty focusing. Many of those problems can be reduced by using a sturdy tripod, focusing carefully in live view, and keeping ISO as low as possible while still getting a usable exposure. Night photography rewards patience, testing, and a willingness to experiment with different settings and light sources.

This Week’s Topic: F-Stops

This week we turn to F-stops, one of the most important concepts in photography. An F-stop is a way of describing the size of the aperture, or the opening in the lens that controls how much light enters the camera. F-stops affect both exposure and depth of field, which means they influence not only how bright the image is, but also how much of the scene appears in focus. Read more …

Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/ 

Last Week’s Topic: Portrait Photography, Part Two

Last week we continued our discussion of portrait photography, looking more closely at the details that help create stronger and more expressive images. We talked about posing, lighting, background choices, and the importance of helping a subject look natural and comfortable. Small changes in camera height, head angle, hand placement, and expression can make a big difference in the final result.

This Week’s Topic: Night Photography

This week we move into night photography, a style that opens the door to scenes lit by moonlight, city lights, stars, headlights, and other sources that become especially interesting after dark. Night photography is all about working with low light to capture atmosphere, drama, and detail that may not be visible in the same way during the day. It can include cityscapes, star trails, light painting, illuminated buildings, aurora, fireworks, and quiet landscapes under a dark sky.

Night photography is useful because it lets you show a subject in a completely different mood. A familiar scene can feel calm, mysterious, or even magical once the sun goes down. It also teaches important camera skills such as long exposures, manual focus, tripod use, and careful attention to light. Many photographers enjoy it because the challenge of low light forces them to slow down, think more deliberately, and experiment.

To get the best results, a sturdy tripod is one of the most important tools for night work. Since shutter speeds are often slow, even small movements can blur the image. Using a remote shutter release or a self-timer can also help prevent shake when the camera is triggered. A low ISO is often a good starting point for cleaner images, although higher ISO may be needed when shooting handheld or when you need to freeze movement.

Focus can be one of the biggest challenges in night photography. Autofocus may struggle in dim light, so many photographers switch to manual focus and use live view, magnification, or a bright distant light to help lock focus accurately. It also helps to take test shots and zoom in on the screen to check sharpness before committing to a long sequence of exposures. For star photography, careful focus is especially important, since even slight softness can show up clearly in the final image.

A few common problems in night photography include camera shake, noise, underexposure, and difficulty focusing. Camera shake is usually solved with a tripod, timer, or remote release. Noise can often be reduced by using the lowest practical ISO and by exposing properly instead of trying to brighten a very dark file later. Underexposure can be handled by adjusting shutter speed, aperture, and ISO together, while focus problems can often be solved by switching to manual focus and using magnified live view.

Composition still matters at night, even though light is limited. Bright signs, streetlights, reflections, silhouettes, and leading lines can all help create a stronger image. Sometimes the best night photos come from simple scenes with one strong light source or one clear subject. Other times, long exposures reveal movement, such as flowing traffic, moving clouds, or stars streaking across the sky.

A few practical tips for better night photography include:

• Use a tripod whenever possible.
• Start with a wide aperture and adjust as needed.
• Keep ISO as low as practical for cleaner images.
• Focus carefully using manual focus or live view.
• Take test shots and review them closely.
• Watch for blown highlights from bright lights.
• Experiment with longer exposures to capture light trails, star movement, or smooth water.

Next Week’s Topic: F-Stops

Next week we’ll continue in this vein with F-stops, explaining what they are and how to use them. That discussion will cover how aperture affects exposure, depth of field, sharpness, and overall image style. It should be a helpful follow-up to night photography, since aperture choice plays a major role in low-light shooting.

Join Us On the Air

Whether you shoot with a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or smartphone, you’re welcome to check in, share your thoughts, and join the conversation. The Photography Discussion Roundtable Net meets every Monday evening on the BrandMeister DMR network, Talkgroup 31266, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern.

73 and happy shooting!
Photography Discussion Roundtable Net team

Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/ 

Photography Discussion Roundtable Net Newsletter

Heard Monday nights on the BrandMeister DMR network, Talkgroup 31266, from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM Eastern

Last Week’s Topic: Portrait Photography

Last week we began our look at portrait photography, which is all about capturing the personality, expression, and character of a person or group. A portrait is more than a record of what someone looks like; it should reveal something about the subject’s mood, confidence, interests, or story. We also discussed how light, background, framing, and communication with the subject all work together to shape the final image. Read more …

Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/

Last Week’s Topic: Landscape Photography

Last week we took in the wide-open world of landscape photography, where the goal is to capture the beauty, scale, and atmosphere of a place. Landscape images can show mountains, forests, shorelines, deserts, city skylines, or even a quiet local park, as long as the scene tells a story about the environment. Good landscape photography often depends on light, weather, composition, and patience, because a scene can change dramatically from one minute to the next.

Strong landscape photos usually include a clear foreground, middle ground, and background to create depth and draw the viewer into the frame. Many photographers also look for leading lines, dramatic skies, reflections, and interesting textures to strengthen the composition. Shooting during the golden hours of early morning and late afternoon often produces the most pleasing light, while a tripod, low ISO, and smaller aperture can help keep everything sharp from front to back.

This Week’s Topic: Portrait Photography

This week we move from the wide world of landscapes to the more personal side of photography with portrait photography. Portrait photography is about capturing the personality, expression, and character of a person or group. It can be formal, casual, candid, environmental, or artistic, but the main purpose is to make the subject stand out and feel human and recognizable. Read more …

Step into the world of 35mm photography with the Photography Discussion Roundtable, heard every Monday evening at 7:00 PM ET on BrandMeister DMR Talkgroup 31266 — the MichiganOne Nets channel. This engaging net is your chance to explore the art and science of photography, ask questions, and sharpen your skills in a welcoming, knowledge-rich environment.

Hosted by James N8TMP, Bob KB8DQQ, Rick AD8KN, and Dave N8SBE, each brings a wealth of experience to the mic. Bob and James are seasoned wedding photographers, while Rick and Dave add deep technical insight and practical know-how. Together, they guide discussions on camera features, techniques, terminology, and everything from aperture to artistic vision.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your craft, tune in and join the conversation. Your next great shot starts here!

Previous and upcoming Photography Discussion Roundtable topics:

https://thediabeticham.com/previous-and-upcoming-photography-discussion-roundtable-topics/

Landscape photography hints and tips

Last Week’s Topic: Macro Photography

Last week we zoomed in on macro photography, where tiny subjects become large, detailed worlds. We talked about working distances, how even a slight movement can shift focus, and why a tripod or other support can be a big help at high magnifications. Stations shared favorite subjects like flowers, insects, coins, and everyday household objects that look surprisingly dramatic up close. We also discussed using smaller apertures for more depth of field, balancing that against the need for more light, and the benefits of diffused flash for close-up work.

This Week: What Is Landscape Photography?

This week, we step back from the tiny details and look at the big picture with landscape photography. In simple terms, landscape photography is about capturing the character of a place—often wide, outdoor scenes like mountains, forests, shorelines, deserts, farms, or city skylines. It’s less about a single object and more about how land, sky, light, and weather come together to create a mood. A landscape image can be grand and sweeping (like the Grand Canyon) or quiet and intimate (like a foggy woodland trail). Read more …