Digital Photography Tips from the Top Floor (Audio/Video)
By Chris Marquardt
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Podcast Description
Short and sweet - with non-techy tips that you can put to use immediately. Covers everything from image composition to post processing. No matter if you use a digital point-and-shoot or an expensive digital SLR. With a good sense of humour, Chris Marquardt manages to convey tips for the beginner as well as the professional photographer
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| 1 | Video tfttf439 video - Everest Trek #08 - Straps | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) How do you carry your camera in an exciting environment like the Himalayas where you want to be ready to shoot? Around your neck? Hanging off the backpack? Slung over your shoulder? Let’s talk to some of the trek participants and find out [...] | 3/12/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf438 - Singsong from Swabia | Most people seem to prefer 8 GB memory cards right now. Find out why Chris bought another ten 4GB cards, why a 50mm prime lens is a good idea even if you have a zoom lens that covers that focal length, how to carry your camera on a trek, more tips on portrait photography, why [...] | 3/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf437 - Scratches on Lenses - Tech Guy | What do you do when your nice, expensive lens gets scratched?! Getting a 1A Skylight filter to protect your lens isn’t that great an idea. Anything in the light path will add reflections. The question you need to ask is, does a scratch really impact your photos? Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech [...] | 3/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 4 | Video tfttf436 - Photoday 2009 Video - Post Processing with Jon Arnold - Part 2 of 4 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) In this episode Chris and John Arnold talk about post processing your images and John shows you how to do it in Lightroom. Show Links: The 2010 workshops are here! Photowalkthrough with John Arnold » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for [...] | 3/5/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf435 - Ups And Downs With My Urge | Journalistic photography vs. art photography, the Canon 5D Mark II will get a new firmware soon, backup strategies for your images, focusing video with a DSLR, and how to tackle the photo backlog. » Download the MP3 for this episode Show Links: The Canon 5D Mark II firmware update World Press Photo disqualifies winner. Articles: petapixel.com New York Times blog Ask your [...] | 3/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf434 - Foreground and Background - Tech Guy | Today, we’re talking about “foreground,” and “background” composition. It’s one of the key concepts when taking pictures and it’s very easy to get it wrong, even for professionals like Chris. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy flickr group » Download the MP3 for this episode » Get the [...] | 3/1/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 7 | Video tfttf433 video - Everest Trek #07 - The Other Kind Of Gear | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Let’s have a look at some of the not so photographic gear that we had some issues with: the satellite phone and the satellite modem. Show Links: Join the Everest Trek and come with us to the Himalayas! The Rest of Everest video podcast The [...] | 2/26/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf432 - Running at full speed again | The dreaded CHA error on older Nikon D70s and what do to about it. What are your thoughts about extended warranties? Ever used a ROES? And some tips around macro photography. Community exercise: What are your experiences with online printing services in the US? Any ones that you love? Did you have disappointing experiences with any [...] | 2/25/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf431 - Leo goes China - Tech Guy | Leo’s calling out to Chris for help of what to pack for his trip to China. Leo’s bringing along his Canon 5D Mk. II for this once in a lifetime trip. Will he be with photographers? Only amateurs. How much can he comfortably carry all day? Leo has a backpack and the LowePro Slingshot. But [...] | 2/22/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf430 - Too much light - Tech Guy | What to do when you have too much light. Use a short shutter speed. Although, that tends to lead to “frozen” moments. The other thing you can do is make the aperture really small (called “stopping down”). The downside of that is everything is in focus - even the background. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The [...] | 2/15/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 11 | Video tfttf429 - Photoday 2009 Video - Post Processing with Jon Arnold - Part 1 of 4 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) In this episode Chris and John Arnold talk about post processing your images and John shows you how to do it in Lightroom. Show Links: The 2010 workshops are here! Photowalkthrough with John Arnold » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free [...] | 2/12/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf428 - Get the color right | “Skill in photography is acquired by practice and not by purchase” - Percy W. Harris Canon’s old DEP mode vs. today’s A-DEP, Chris is on Buzz, find out how to safeguard your pictures on a one-year trip around the world, learn how to use the sRGB and Adobe RGB color profiles. Also hear about the ColorChecker [...] | 2/10/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf427 - Back from Nepal - Tech Guy | Chris is back from Nepal. He was there for about 3 weeks and took about 4,000 pictures. The beauty though with digital is you can weed them out as you go. He bought two 80GB hard discs, specified for over 18,000 feet to store them on. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT [...] | 2/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 14 | Video tfttf426 video - Everest Trek #06 - Walking On The Beach | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) The higher you get, the drier it gets. At least on our trek that was clearly the case. Here are some strategies the trek group came up with to cope with the dust and make sure it wouldn’t affect the cameras too much. Show [...] | 2/5/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf425 - The Lens Edition | Today we talk about lenses! Some of the questions today: Do 50mm lenses have a distortion issue? What is the best lens to upgrade? How to avoid strange shadows in your image when you use flash? Is it okay to stack polarizers with ND filters? What is the A-DEP mode for? And: a great tip [...] | 2/3/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf424 - Subjects 3 - Tech Guy | Part three on subjects today, mainly, what helps a subject? How do you make your subject stand out even better? Size. Make the subject bigger in the picture. Give it a large portion in the frame. Focus. Where do you put the focus in the picture? Colors. Try using a complimentary color or contrast in [...] | 2/1/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 17 | Video tfttf423 - Photoday 2009 video - Panoramic Photography with Ron Pepper - Part 3 of 3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) In this episodes Ron Pepper brings you tips and information on panoramic photography. Show Links: The 2010 workshops are here! Panorama Network » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 1/29/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf422 - Subjects 2 - Tech Guy | Today, Chris is talking from Everest Base Camp! He’s talking about what makes a good subject? Leo’s thought is something that grabs the eye, makes you think, and tells a story. But how do you know? Chris says that it’s something that stands out, is different from the rest. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech [...] | 1/25/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 19 | Video tfttf421 video - Everest Trek #05 - Yak Poop & Kerosene | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) The Everest Trek is not just awesome photo ops, it’s also a group experience that takes you out of your daily routine. Here’s a look at the trek life in general. Show Links: Join the Everest Trek and come with us to the Himalayas! The Rest [...] | 1/22/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf420 - Groups and Safe Ladders | Chris talks about how to shoot a group shot of 50 people, how to avoid getting hit by a crashing race car while shooting at the Nürburgring in Germany. Get A BUNCH OF LINKS Chris’ new link collection served via email. The Everest Trek is looking for a couple of more team members. How flexible are you?! [...] | 1/20/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf419 - Subjects 1 - Tech Guy | The question that always comes up about being creative in the digital world. What makes a special picture? The subject is very important. What’s important in a picture is what it’s all about and that’s what your subject does. What makes a good subject? Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » [...] | 1/18/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 22 | Video tfttf418 - Photoday 2009 video - Panoramic Photography with Ron Pepper - Part 2 of 3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) In this episodes Ron Pepper brings you tips and information on panoramic photography. Show Links: The 2010 workshops are here! Panorama Network » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 1/15/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf417 - Sanning Negatives | Is it worth buying the Epson V600 to scan your 35mm negatives or is the resolution simply too low? Chris relates some of his own experiences with this scanner, which he bought for scanning medium format negatives. Also: tips on how to overcome your shyness and approach strangers to take their picture. Plus some thoughts [...] | 1/13/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf416 - Review “Decay” Assignment - Tech Guy | Today, Chris and Leo are looking at the photos for our latest assignment “DECAY.” Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy flickr group » Download the MP3 for this episode » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 1/11/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 25 | Video tfttf415 video - Everest Trek #04 - Too Much Radiation | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Is there such as thing as too much light? Find out how the Everest Trek participants dealt with the amount of light that is present at high altitudes. Show Links: The Everest Trek 2010 The Rest of Everest video podcast The 2010 workshops are here! » Get the [...] | 1/8/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf414 - DIY Camera Blimp | Today Chris answers questions about car race photography at the Nürburgring in Germany, and Tony Donaldson joins the show to talk about building a camera blimp and stereo photography. » Download the MP3 for this episode Show Links: DIY Camera Blimp by Tony Donaldson Tony Donaldson’s website The 2010 workshops are here! » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get [...] | 1/6/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf413 - Street Photography - Tech Guy | Today, Chris is talking about “street photography.” Taking pictures of people on the street. People can grab the eye and make for a very compelling picture. How to get started? Some people can be shy about starting out and there are some legal concerns. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » [...] | 1/4/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 28 | Video tfttf412 Photoday 2009 - Panoramic Photography with Ron Pepper - Part 1 of 3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) In this episodes Ron Pepper brings you tips and information on panoramic photography. Show Links: The 2010 workshops are here! Panorama Network » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 1/1/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf411 - Wahoo, new camera! | Got a new camera for Christmas? Here’s a quick crash course to get you started. Also on today’s show: camera settings and how they can affect your photography, kit lenses and prime lenses, digital noise and analog grain, and protecting the camera from elements. Thanks all for being part of this show, and Happy New Year! » [...] | 12/30/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf410 - Switcher Series II - Tech Guy | Part II of “Making the Switch” to digital cameras. Digital cameras are basically now where film resolution is with the benefit of additional features, the ability to edit on the fly, or even delete bad pictures. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy flickr group » Download the MP3 for [...] | 12/28/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 31 | Video tfttf409 Video - Everest Trek #03 - Altitude and Bubbles | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join Chris and Jon as they discuss what altitude can do to your equipment, and find out how a video lens makes a great bubble level. Also: meet Jon’s companion, a two year-old lens cleaning cloth. Show Links: The Everest Trek 2010 The Rest of Everest [...] | 12/25/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf408 - It’s All In The Eyes | Today we talk about taking your camera to Florida, and about how to get the most out of a portrait - it’s all in the eyes! » Download the MP3 for this episode Show Links: San Francisco, Brooklyn, Toronto, Everest - The 2010 Workshops are here » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free [...] | 12/23/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf407 - Switcher Series I - Tech Guy | Chris is talking about making the switch from film to digital. It’s not as drastic a change as you may think. There are still lenses, shutters, apertures. In fact, Chris believes there’s nearly no difference other than the recording medium in DSLRs. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy [...] | 12/21/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 34 | Video tfttf406 Video - Everest Trek #02 - Gear Gear Gear | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) How much photo gear do you need to take on something like the Everest Trek? In this episode you will find answers from both ends of the spectrum. Chris’ preference is to travel light, to learn to squeeze as much as you can [...] | 12/18/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf405 - Review “Opposites” Assignment - Tech Guy | Today, we’re looking at photos with the theme “Opposites”. Sadly, Leo and Chris didn’t get their assignment done in time! LOL. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy flickr group » Download the MP3 for this episode » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using [...] | 12/14/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 36 | Video tfttf404 Photoday 2009 - Videography with Jon Miller - Part 3 of 3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Chris and Jon bring you tips on videography, they discuss the Everest Trek and talk about fake logos on real hats. Show Links: The Rest of Everest Everest Trek 2010 The 2010 workshops are here! » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free [...] | 12/11/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf403 - DIY Slide Scanner | Do scratched memory card contacts influence image quality? Tips on building your own slide scanner. And the 2010 workshops are ready for you! » Download the MP3 for this episode Show Links: The 2010 workshops are here! » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 12/10/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 38 | Video tfttf402 Photo Day 2009 - Videography with Jon Miller - Part 2 of 3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Chris and Jon bring you tips on videography, they discuss the Everest Trek and talk about fake logos on real hats. Show Links: The Rest of Everest Everest Trek 2010 » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 12/4/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 39 | Video tfttf401 - Everest Trek #01 - The Forecast | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Come join us in as we kick off the Everest Trek coverage with this episode straight from the Himalayas. Learn what’s going to come up in the next months and meet the trek participants. Show Links: Everest Trek 2010 The Rest of Everest by Jon Miller » [...] | 12/2/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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400 | Four hundred episodes of Tips from the Top Floor. That’s over four years, and you ain’t seen nothing yet. Tips from the Top Floor has evolved and changed and morphed over that time and has become what it is today. I thank each and everyone of you for listening to the show and for making [...] | 11/27/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 41 | Video tfttf399 Photo Day 2009 - Videography with Jon Miller - Part 1 of 3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Chris and Jon bring you tips on videography, they discuss the Everest Trek and talk about fake logos on real hats. Show Links: The Rest of Everest Everest Trek 2010 » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 11/20/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf398 - Secrets of Light III - Tech Guy | Chris and Leo return to discuss the third part of the Secrets of Light. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy flickr group » Download the MP3 for this episode » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 11/13/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 43 | Video tfttf397 - Focus Ring - Part 5 of 5 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join the Photocast Network members as they discuss photography from many angles. Participants in the discussion are: John Arnold, Benoit Marchal, Martin Bailey and of course Yours truly. Show Links: Photocast Network Photowalkthrough Déclencheur Martin Bailey Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show [...] | 11/4/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 44 | Video tfttf396 - Focus Ring - Part 4 of 5 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join the Photocast Network members as they discuss photography from many angles. Participants in the discussion are: John Arnold, Benoit Marchal, Martin Bailey and of course Yours truly. Show Links: Photocast Network Photowalkthrough Déclencheur Martin Bailey Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show [...] | 10/30/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf395 - Brooklyn Cookin’ | This episode was recorded together with the fabulous group of participants at the 2009 Brooklyn Cookin’ workshop which was held together with Chef Mark of the Culinary Media Network. Check out the workshop pictures on flickr » Download the MP3 for this episode Show Links: Pictures taken at the 2009 Brooklyn Cookin’ workshop (flickr link) Check out the 2010 workshop [...] | 10/29/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 46 | Video tfttf394 - Focus Ring - Part 3 of 5 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join the Photocast Network members as they discuss photography from many angles. Participants in the discussion are: John Arnold, Benoit Marchal, Martin Bailey and of course Yours truly. Show Links: Photocast Network Photowalkthrough Déclencheur Martin Bailey Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show [...] | 10/23/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf393 - Abby Adventure | This was a fun workshop about a lot of things, and with a great bunch of participants. Warning: this one gets quite geeky and might not entirely be safe for work. Listen with caution. Learn about backing up your files, focusing at night and find out why Pete doesn’t delete files. » Download the MP3 for [...] | 10/21/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 48 | Video tfttf392 video - Focus Ring - Part 2 of 5 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join the Photocast Network members as they discuss photography from many angles. Participants in the discussion are: John Arnold, Benoit Marchal, Martin Bailey and of course Yours truly. Show Links: Photocast Network Photowalkthrough Déclencheur Martin Bailey Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free [...] | 10/16/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 49 | Video tfttf391 video - Focus Ring - Part 1 of 5 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join the Photocast Network members as they discuss photography from many angles. Participants in the discussion are: John Arnold, Benoit Marchal, Martin Bailey and of course Yours truly. Show Links: Photocast Network Photowalkthrough Déclencheur Martin Bailey Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show [...] | 10/14/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf390 - Prime Lenses and Exhibitions | Learn how to shoot pictures of a night skyline that includes the moon while properly exposing everything, find out about what makes prime lenses so special and why there are so many of them, discover how high-speed flash sync works and listen to Chris talk with Sean Galbraith, gallery co-owner from Toronto, in the third [...] | 10/8/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 51 | Video tfttf389 video - Photo Day 2009 - Frederick van Johnson 3/3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Here’s the last part of Chris discussing Lightroom with Frederick van Johnson. Show Links: Photo Day 2009 Frederick van Johnson This Week in Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 10/2/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf388 - Antarctica vs. Sensor Cleaning | The great variety show is back again, with topics from what to consider if shooting in Antarctica to sensor cleaning (Chris tries the GGS sensor loupe and the Sensor Klear) to camera comparisons (Canon 5D vs. 7D) to new firmware providing new features for the Panasonic LX3, including a square crop mode. Show Links: Panasonic LX3 Firmware [...] | 9/30/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 53 | Video tfttf387 video - Photo Day 2009 - Frederick van Johnson 2/3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Part two of the Lightroom discussion between Frederick van Johnson and Chris. Show Links: Photo Day 2009 Frederick van Johnson This Week in Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 9/25/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf386 - Tilt/Shift | What makes tilt/shift lenses so exciting? Is it the “pseudo miniature” effect or something else? Also on this episode: blog updates and a chat with Jon Miller Please visit our sponsor Squarespace.com, and use offer code tfttf if you’re ready to purchase to save 10% on your order! » Download the MP3 for this episode Show Links: Jon Miller - [...] | 9/24/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| 55 | Video tfttf385 video - Photo Day 2009 - Frederick van Johnson 1/3 | [See post to watch Flash video] Watch in high quality (right click to save) Join Chris as he discusses Lightroom with Frederick van Johnson. Frederick is a professional photographer and host the “This Week in Photography” podcast. Show Links: Photo Day 2009 Frederick van Johnson This Week in Photography » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free [...] | 9/18/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf384 - Secrets of Light II - Tech Guy | Chris and Leo return to discuss the second part of the Secrets of Light. Show Links: » Leo Laporte - The Tech Guy » The TWiT netcast network » Tech Guy flickr group » Download the MP3 for this episode » Get the show for free in iTunes » Get the show for free using RSS | 9/11/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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tfttf383 - Photo Books and Weird Accents | This show is not actually about weird German accents, even though Chris kinda threatened that in the last episode. We’ll take a closer look at the new Canon EOS 7D, the brand new Leica M9 and Leica X1 and Chris recommends one of his favorite books about photography and light. Please visit our sponsor Squarespace.com, [...] | 9/9/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 57 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
A photography podcast for everyone
Whether you're just starting off in photography, or you've been around the block a few times, this is the show for you! Host Chris has a knack for explaining photography jargon in a way that anyone can understand. Hone your skills and have a good time doing it with photo assignments, sound seeing tours and Photoshop tips.
Excellent photography lessons for free!
One can learn more from just a few of Tips from the Top Floor episodes than attending a weekend long photography workshops that may cost hundreds of dollars. This podcast clearly explains everything you need to know about digital photography in a fun and quick way. Most shows are about 15 minutes, a perfect length which doesn't waste or eat up your free time. If you must listen to only one photography podcast this is it.
What more can I say...
When I started to listen to TFTTF I wasn’t aware of all settings, modes that a camera could have and the ones that I knew I didn’t know how to use them. I have learned so much from the 84 shows in 2005.
Chris, please continue with this wonderful, educational, and fun podcast.
Oh! And please everybody join us in the forum and you will see that even the first time camera user will be posting articles in no time.
