The Radiant Vista Web Site

A couple of days ago I came across a new photography web site, The Radiant Vista. Like many other photography web sites it supports a discussion forum. However, this site features some other compelling features that I have not seen elsewhere.

The Radiant Vista is very much podcast and video driven. One of my favorite features so far is the daily critique, which features a quicktime (or other) video critique of a submitted photo. The critiques I have previewed are excellent and combine sensitivity to and respect for the creative work of the submitters with excellent commentary, observations, and suggestions.

I joined the site yesterday, and I recommend the site to other photographers.


G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

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Another Approach to Shooting Indoor Natural Light

From time to time I shoot indoor theatrical or musical performances where the use of flash would be inappropriate… and probably get me ejected from the theatre! From what I understand, many people like to photograph these subjects with primes (for their wider apertures) or with wide aperture zooms. I have successfully shot such subjects with the former, but I don’t own the latter.

Newer DSLRs that have image stabilization and can produce good low-noise images at higher ISO values let us push the limits of natural light photography in these situations.

TheatricalPhoto2007|03|21: Theatrical photograph. March 21, 2007. © Photograph "copyright g dan Mitchell".

This example was shot with my EF 24-105mm f/4 IS zoom on a tripod and with image stabilization. (I leave the ballhead somewhat loose and sometimes use the tripod as a monopod.) I can often shoot in the 1/25 to 1/60 of a second shutter speed range and get good results as long as my subjects aren’t moving too fast.