Low-light Archives | LotsaSmiles Photography

Photostory: Milky Way Dreams

July 19, 2018July 19, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Can you see the Milky Way from where you live? I can't; there's too much light pollution from the city in which I reside. Therefore, when I go camping, I make a point to look skyward. I have always marveled at the beauty of the night sky. There are so…

Puebloan Sun and Moon

December 21, 2016 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Being a photographer, of course I had certain plans on my agenda when we went to Mesa Verde (and really throughout our trip). Wherever I go, I think about sunrise and sunset opportunities. Every location is different, and I love the beautiful golden hours. I try for sunrises and sunsets…

Vancouver at Night

October 26, 2016 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

This is my last post on my Vancouver series, and I'm excited to share with you other adventures (we've been so busy!). Vancouver is a very beautiful city, and my camera seemed to leap into my hands of its own accord in an effort to capture it. I loved the…

Weekly Challenge: Mixed Shine

October 23, 2016 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

If I thought last week's challenge was.. well.. challenging, this week's really made me think hard about how to fit the topics. The discover challenge is mixing media; the photo challenge is shine. "Shine" is easy. But I already write blog posts with lots of pictures - words and photos…

Red fireworks over Portland's Tilikum Crossing | LotsaSmiles Photography

Photographing Fireworks: Lessons Learned

June 29, 2016July 11, 2018 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

With most getting a three-day weekend for the 4th, it's no wonder it has become one of the most travelled weekends in America. It is also the time for sparklers, peonies, roman candles, chrysanthemums, fountains, weeping willows, and snakes. Fortunately, you don't generally need to go far for a decent fireworks…

Never Fear Shooting with Other Photographers

February 9, 2016 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

Photography is commonly viewed as a solitary hobby, and for good reason. However, it can be quite good for photographers serious about getting better to work with others. (more…)

Photo of the Week: Colors

February 5, 2016 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

When a photographer is presented with an event full of lights and color, it's a visual playground that can easily sap away an entire evening. There are countless opportunities. You can shoot fast and freeze moving lights, or you can shoot long and paint a rainbow in the shadows. You…

Photo of the Week: Supermoon Eclipse

October 1, 2015October 10, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

I've noticed my posts tend to run a bit longer than I want or anticipate. So, in an effort to mix it up and put more focus on the photography, I'm going to try adding something new: photo of the week! This will highlight a picture I particularly like that…

New to Star Trails: Lessons Learned

August 18, 2015October 10, 2017 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

In my last post, I talked about my introduction into astrophotography. During the same trip, I attempted star trails - those beautiful concentric circles/arcs you see when turning your camera skyward and sucking up all possible light for minutes or even hours. I've always been curious about star trails. The fact…

My Journey into Astrophotography

August 8, 2015 by Brianna Shade

Brianna Shade

One of the best parts about joining a local photography group is the opportunity to try new photography techniques never before explored. I had one such opportunity recently: stars. While I have seen some spectacular shots and have been mildly interested in trying it out, I could never bring myself…