In the eyes of an expert: Dexter Yarbrough captures excellent fleeting moments

“A good snapshot stops a moment from running away,” Eudora Welty, an American novelist, once said.

From: Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Indeed, it is imperative for photographers like Dexter Yarbrough to develop the skills needed in order to capture the perfect photographs in the fastest way possible while using the best angle. Precious photographs are usually that of fleeting moments. A photographer must be quick enough to know when to shoot or what to shoot during the fast unfolding of events. By having the ability to do so, the photographer captures the action in one single click, preserving the memory for a lifetime.

In events like weddings, hiring photographers who are experienced in covering such large and special events is important. For a bride and groom, and even their friends and family members, pictures from the wedding are part of the whole event and will forever be cherished.

From: Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Dexter Yarbrough, the founder of DJY Photography, considers covering weddings as one of the specialties of his studio. Throughout the years, his team of photographers has continued to offer high quality services with their skills and technology. By treating each job with enthusiasm and passion, his team is able to produce nothing but the best photographs. The photography studio specializes in shooting portraits, landscapes, weddings, birthdays, and many more.

Preserve those special moments with the help of an experienced photographer. View Dexter Yarbrough’s portfolio by visiting DJY Photogrpahy’s website at www.djyphotography.com.

From: Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Dexter Yarbrough advice for better photos: Show love for your subject

The first requirement any photographer needs to fulfill in order to take a great photo, according to professional photographer, Dexter Yarbrough, is to have great interest in the subject. If you’re just starting to get the hang of photography and you want your photos to have appeal and impact, you must first see the potential in the subject and be able to interpret it in your own way.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

If you’ve seen professional photographers on the field, then you know how much dedication they put into their work. They take time to understand their subjects and decide on how to portray their subjects in the best light.


Budding photographers like you who want to improve on their photography skills, below are some pointers on how to take better photos from Dexter Yarbrough.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Firstly, in order to create a unified effect, you must decide which elements must make up the image and how to best arrange them. Use the viewfinder as the creative space within which you’ll build a pleasant composition.


Secondly, you have to decide on the viewpoint from where you’ll take a shot of your subject. Try shooting from above or below the subject. Or you may also look for unique and more interesting ways to present it.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Thirdly, it might be a good idea to highlight depth and distance in a photograph. By doing so, you will provide the impression of looking at a three-dimensional scene, making your photo a lot more interesting.


Finally, pay attentio0n to the balance of the elements. Make your photos more appealing by dividing the photograph into thirds, horizontally and vertically, and to place the subject one-third across and one third up or down the picture.


For more topics on photography, visit www.djyphotography.com.

Dexter Yarbrough: Capturing the beauty of nature with your camera

Any picture that illustrates the beauty of nature can be a powerful tool that can reconnect its viewer to the environment. Dexter Yarbrough offers these simple tips on how to produce the best nature photos:

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Know your camera by knowing the environment




It’s always a good idea to familiarize with the environment. Know at what specific times in the day certain changes are bound to happen – sunsets, hunts, resting periods, migrations, and others. Depending on the subject or subjects you wish to shoot, may they be plants, animals, or landscapes, you will need to customize your camera’s settings and attach the required accessories that will suit the conditions of your surroundings.




Camera at the ready




Just as an unsuspecting antelope can fall prey to a cunning lioness, the perfect opportunity for a good shot can stealthily pass your viewfinder by, leaving you at a loss. Dexter Yarbrough suggests strapping your camera in such a way that you will be able to raise it conveniently at the right moment. For accomplished photographers, a second camera mounted on a tripod always comes in handy.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Sunlight vs. daylight




Sunlight pertains to light coming directly from the sun. Daylight, on the other hand, is a ray of sunlight that bounces off from surface to surface to illuminate a given space. Take this into the context of nature and see how greatly it can affect the vibrancy of the colors in your photographs.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

View Dexter Yarbrough photographs of landscapes and wildlife at www.djyphotography.com.

The DYP collections: Dexter Yarbrough captures the splendor of the Rocky Mountains

Dexter Yarbrough’s expertise in photography has made him one of the most sought-after photographers in the Chicagoland area. His enthusiasm and passion for the job always make him deliver the best for each and every client he has, making him continue to excel in the industry.

Among Mr. Yarbrough’s specialties is nature photography. The Rocky Mountains is among his favorite places to take pictures of nature.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

The Rocky Mountains, a major mountain range in western North America, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. Visitors often come here for hiking, camping, mountaineering, fishing, hunting, skiing, and snowboarding. Dexter Yarbrough finds the place as an excellent subject for his landscape photographs. Its dramatic valleys and peaks which are formed in the past by water erosion and glaciers are always a thing of beauty for photographers like him.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Mr. Yarbrough is a professional photographer from Chicago, Illinois, who runs his own photography business, DJY Photography. He uses Canon, Sony, and Konica Minolta cameras and has already been the official photographer for numerous weddings and special events. Throughout his years as a professional and a freelance photographer, he has earned recognition and respect in the industry, receiving numerous honors and awards. Mr. Yarbrough also finds joy in sharing his expertise in photography by blogging about tips and advice in photography.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

More of Dexter Yarbrough’s work can be viewed at DJYPhotography.com.

Photography, a moving experience: What drives Dexter Yarbrough to continue his passion

Dexter Yarbrough has been practicing photography for a number of years already. Still, he continues to maintain the passion and excellence that caused him to be successful in his chosen field. But what drives him to continue his love for the art?

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Most photographers consider taking photographs as a moving experience. There is a sense of relief and happiness after knowing that you captured a moment in time that could not be brought back.

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…it remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything,” Aaron Siskind, an American abstract expressionist photographer, once said.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Dexter Yarbrough shares the same belief when it comes to his photography. He believes that capturing fleeting moments in time and helping to chronicle people’s lives is what continues to drive him to excel and maintain his passion for shooting pictures. He loves what he does. As a result, he treats every photograph he takes with enthusiasm and passion.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Dexter Yarbrough is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and the Photographic Society of America. He also owns a photography studio, DJY Photography. As a photographer, he has a range of experience in capturing portraits, landscapes, special events, and weddings.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Know more about his career by visiting www.djyphotography.com.

Does the "D" Make the Difference? Dexter Yarbrough on DSLR vs. SLR Cameras

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

There is an ongoing debate among photographers like Dexter Yarbrough these days: Digital Single Lens Reflex cameras versus Single Lens Reflex cameras.

The latter (SLRs) appeared in the market when an obvious discrepancy appeared in photography at the time—what a photographer sees in the viewfinder is not precisely what is seen through the lens. Hence, it is not as precise as can be desired. SLRs had a mechanism that allowed a look through the lens itself, and had certain features that heightened the clarity and aesthetic effect of the image captured. When the shutter is pressed, a mechanism shifts the film to the right spot for the shot.

Digital SLRs (DSLRs) have this same function, except modified so that the images taken would be saved onto a memory card. Many professional photographers such as Dexter Yarbrough use DSLRs for their convenience especially in memory. Storage medium is very cost-efficient with DSLRs, as these days film rolls cost more with fewer photos stored, and with processing adding to the cost.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

However, many photographers view film as the advantage of the SLR. Unlike in DLSRs where the LCD in a DSLR allowing an instant view of a photo right after a shot, the SLR’s usage of film limits the photographer to make a better, perfect composition prior to taking that one perfect shot. Film is also light-sensitive depending on its type, making different effects, unlike in a DSLR where light sensitivity and balance can be adjusted prior to the shot. The SLR forces the photographer to go for the perfect shot, while the DSLR can extend creative control immediately.

In the end, both types have their advantages and disadvantages. It is the photographer’s preference on which type to see as superior.

Dexter Yarbrough is well known photographer in Chicago for his photography and portraiture. Find out more in his website at www.dexteryarbroughphotography.com.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Capturing a Subject's True Self on Film: Dexter Yarbrough Talks about Candid Shots

Though he would not suggest stalking celebrities to take pictures of them, Dexter Yarbrough loves taking candid shots as they make the subject look very natural. “Taken during your subject's unguarded moments, candid pictures often turn out exceptionally well. If you want your shots to capture the natural behavior of your subjects, then go for candid shots,” the professional photographer and founder of DJY Photography says.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Candid photography is best described as un-posed and unplanned, immediate and unobtrusive. This type of photography is opposed to stalking subjects such as in animal photography, sports photography, or photographic journalistic intrusion. A photographer taking candid shots is close to and not hidden from its subjects. Focusing on spontaneity rather than technique, candid photography is about photos usually shot without a lot of technical equipment or any time taken setting up the shot. Photographers such as Dexter Yarbrough who love taking candid shots focus not on the camera, but on the current task they want to capture.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Another thing that makes candid photography work over classic portrait photography is that in portrait photographs, the subject is aware they are being photographed so they tend to become self-conscious and stiff in the desire to look good in the photo. Yarbrough adds that a candid shot that focuses on the subject’s eyes will tell those who will later look at the photo something about the subject. “A good portrait will contain at least one element that reveals the subject’s personality, attitude, unique mannerisms, or any of the other features or traits that form the individual nature of the person. A good way to capture a sense of these traits is to take a candid photo of your subject,” he says.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

More information about Dexter Yarbrough is available at www.djyphotography.com.

Dexter Yarbrough: Taking a Leap Forward with HDR Photography

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

DJY Photography founder Dexter Yarbrough tests the waters in one of the recent breakthroughs in photography: the high dynamic range technique.

A common reminder in photography teachers emphasize is that the lens never captures a scene the same way the human eye does. Despite of the advancement of technology, even the most powerful camera cannot equate the amazing ability of the human eye to cover 10 million spectrums of colors. In contrast to this, the digital camera saves only 256 levels of light intensity in JPEG format and over 1024 levels in RAW format.

For disambiguation, the high dynamic range technique, or HDR, is not similar to high definition technology. HDR was developed primarily for image processing, computer graphics, and photography. Dexter Yarbrough explains that the concept is an attempt to replicate the way the human eye registers a particular image. Unfortunately, the camera lens captures only one exposure of a scene at a given shot unlike the human eye which automatically adjusts to the different lighting in the environment producing different exposures that create an HDR image in the human brain.

From Dexter Yarbrough

As a technique, HDR is not a replacement to traditional photography and requires a degree of expertise for it can either make or break your photographs.

Basically, HDR requires gathering three or more shots of one particular scene. A tripod would be handy if you are unable to keep your hands steady. These shots are merged together producing an image that display a higher spectrum of colors, light range, and detail which are impossible to achieve with a single shot.

This can be done even with a simple point-and-shoot digital camera that allows you to adjust the exposure setting. In an article by Dexter entitled Creative Photos with HDR Photography, he recommends the following camera settings:

• Set your ISO setting to 200 or 40.
• Turn on the aperture priority mode.
• Use the following exposure settings:
1. EV 0 (produces normally exposed images)
2. EV -2 (produces underexposed images with greater light details)
3. EV +2 (produces overexposed images with greater shadow details)

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

View Dexter Yarbrough’s online gallery at www.djyphotography.com.

Dexter Yarbrough’s Photography Tutorial for First-Time Camera Owners

Professional photographer Dexter Yarbrough, the man behind DJY Photography, shares some tips on shooting and taking care of cameras for neophyte photographers.

• Purchase a good quality padded bag to protect camera from scratches and bumps. Yarbrough adds, “A good camera bag is not a luxury item. It’s a necessity.”

From May 10, 2011

• Always make use of the camera’s neck strap or wrist-strap to ensure the camera’s safety and security when taking pictures or just simply using the viewfinder.

From May 10, 2011

• Have a memory card with the biggest memory capacity and set the camera’s picture quality to the highest, such as TIFF or JPG, to have high resolution pictures. High resolution pictures can be edited clearly afterwards using computer software and can be used for printing on huge banners.
• Dexter Yarbrough also advises to read the camera manual to maximize the use of the camera features. “Only don't try to read the whole manual at once, you will forget most of it. When I buy a new camera, I spend about half an hour with the manual before going out. I try to find one new technique that sounds like it might be fun to use and then try it out that same day,” Yarbrough exclaims.
• Use the camera’s fill flash setting when shooting outdoors with the subject’s face darkened by shadows. The flash will brighten the face and make them stand out from the background.
• To make sure the subject is in sharp focus, hold the shutter release button to lock the focus and then re-frame the picture while doing so. This will also improve the composition skills of the photographer.

From May 10, 2011

For more beginner photography tips from Dexter Yarbrough, visit dexteryarbrough1.blogspot.com.

Mastering Visualization: Dexter Yarbrough Delves into the Fundamentals of Good Photography

Just as architects draw out blueprints, photographers need to plan out each shoot. Without a plan, a photographer would be shooting with no clear direction or intent. Dexter Yarbrough expounds on the power of visualization – the first step towards amazing photography.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Producing photographs that would instantly captivate your audience begins even before you grab your camera and set up your equipment. It begins with knowing ahead of time what story you want your pictures to tell. This is called visualization. The concept was developed by Ansel Adams who formalized the lessons he learned from his experience as a photo-muralist for the Department of the Interior in Washington, DC during World War II. Ansel identified visualization as the first step of his “Zone System.”

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

The visualization phase is a detailed and vivid imagination of how you would like the final print to appear. However, Dexter Yarbrough explains that visualization is more than just mere creative thinking. Successful visualization also requires knowing your tools well. Once you have a clear picture in your mind, determine what tools you will need and what techniques must be employed to achieve the results you desire. Thus, you need to know what effects you can achieve when using a particular setting, lens, or filter.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Once you have completed visualizing, it will serve as your "game plan" for what you will do when you are actually out in the field taking photographs up to when you are in the darkroom developing your pictures or on your computer post-production.

View Dexter Yarbrough’s online gallery at www.djyphotography.com.

Beyond The Lens: Glamorize Your Portraits with Dexter Yarbrough

Employing a good technique and using the best gadgets are not enough. Dexter Yarbrough shares some simple tips you can use to create professional-looking portraits:

Strike a Pose
Your subjects may find it awkward to strike a model’s pose. Simply positioning the hands or feet in different ways can make for more interesting portraits. Have a pianist sit by a piano and place his hands on the keyboard or show off a ballerina’s perfect tip-toeing stint.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Strike up a Conversation
The sight of a photographer armed with a camera can be intimidating for some. Engage your subject in conversation. It is rare to find subjects who are not camera-shy. Talking will lighten up the mood and helps your subject loosen up and get comfortable being in front of the camera.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Knowing Your Subject
Dexter Yarbrough believes conversations go a long way. Not only do you help your subjects get comfortable, but this will give you some idea of what type of people they are. You can capture shots that show more of who they are as a person.

Candid Shots
Once you have established rapport with your subject, this will give you some insight on how they would respond to what you say. This will help you capture more candid, natural-looking expressions.

Get Closer
Closing in provides more detail of and focus on your subject and limits the clutter unnecessary objects create if you are too far from them.

From Dexter Yarbrough's Photos

Learn more tips and tricks at www.djyphotography.com.

More about Dexter Yarbrough, click here.

To Touch the Intangible: The Vision and Photography of Dexter Yarbrough

Vision, as Dexter Yarbrough writes, in effect, is the photographer’s keen eye for details and the bigger picture. Photography he simply presents as both an art and craft. He speaks as one who has spent a considerable amount of time shooting in and out of the sun and developing those shots in the dark room or using Photoshop.

From DJY Photography

Yearning to touch the intangible, Dexter Yarbrough, Investigation and Security Operations Director of Patton Solutions, pursues photography with the ferocity of a detective sniffing and skippering on the heels of a suspect. However, only things of beauty—and its immortalization thereof—are what he is after when he’s doing photography.

From DJY Photography

Dexter Yarbrough has been inspired to gather talented professionals into a creative lab, which he touted as DJY Photography. Though unbound by blood, these shooters are united by the same passionate DNA that drives them to chronicle fleeting moments as they happen. Skills, knowledge, experience, and the “eye” are their choicest weapons, alongside the camera.

Dexter Yarbrough has passed on to them the vision of immortalizing a memory—and everything that comprises it, including the width of a smile or length of a shadow—on a canvass that is different from that of a sketch artist or a painter, but nonetheless as tangible.

From DJY Photography

More information about Dexter Yarbrough and DJY Photography can be found at www.djyphotography.com.