Dream Wedding

There's no such thing as a small wedding. Every wedding is special and needs to be captured as such. I got that feeling when I photographed the wedding of Phillip and Krystle. I don't photograph many weddings anymore, but these people were special.

Imagination To Reality; Mental Stimulation To Take Your Photos To A Higher Level

Imagine you're on a trip of a lifetime and want to bring back memories that will last more than a lifetime. It all began with my deciding to teach a class in Tuscany, Italy. I was already going there for a convention of photographers...

On The Beach; Class Time For The Carnival Cruise Line Photographers

Beach time is picture time; sometimes in the sun and sometimes in the shade. We did it all recently while I was teaching some of Carnival Cruise Line's photographers who were chosen to be a part of my college on the Imagination.

Master Class On The Road; Monte’s Journey To China—Part I

Although I've been somewhat pigeonholed as a portrait photographer, I am a traveling man...and love taking pictures along the way, of course. Recently I made a trip to Shanghai and loved every second of it--what great opportunities for pictures!

A Wedding Photographer Vacation

When I began photographing weddings professionally in 1947 I never would have believed that I would have a studio in Switzerland in the '70s. I also never would have believed that I would have the opportunity to photograph a wedding in Paris, of all places, in the 21st century!

Taking The Mystery Out Of Lighting

Isn't it time that we simplify and clarify what portrait lighting is about? I think so! Many photographers are afraid to photograph indoors, because they don't know what to do with light. Others go outdoors and take snapshots, because they don't know how to control light.

Classic Photographs Are Made In The Camera

Making black and white photographs in the darkroom was never as exciting as it is now on the computer. I spent many years developing my own negatives and making prints. I settled for a lot less quality then than I'm getting now from my digital images.

Who Teaches The Teacher?...

I've often heard it said that the teacher learns from his students. Such has certainly been the case for me. My Photoshop guru, Eddie Tapp, was in my classes years ago when he was first becoming a photographer in Dallas.

Light Control; The Key To Good Portraits

Good portraits need to be created with controlled light. You just can't bring people out into open spaces--where light is coming in from all around--and get good results. There are many ways to control light for portraits both in a studio environment and outdoors.

Shutterbug's Alaskan Cruise

Put together a boatload of Shutterbug fans looking for a fun, educational experience and you can bet that they're going to have the time of their lives! We did! Every day a new port. Every day more picture opportunities.

Point Of View: Add Camera Position To Your List Of Pro Techniques

Have you ever considered creating people portraits? I mean real portraits, pictures that capture the essence of that individual and have character and style. If so, I just want you to know that there's a lot more to people portraits than posing and lighting.

Sharing The Secrets Of The Craft...

One of the most enjoyable parts of my life today is sharing everything I've learned over the years. It's no secret. I learned photographic techniques--posing and lighting--many years ago and then just kept adapting to changing times. Digital certainly gave me a shot in the arm.

Red, Blue, And Green... My New Approach To Black And White!

It used to be that you bought black and white film, exposed it, took it into the darkroom and spent days upon days selecting the right paper, developer, time, and temperature. Not anymore...at least, not for me! I'm shooting with my Canon...

From Russia With Love... Part 3

One of the highlights of my visit to the Kremlin was undoubtedly seeing some of Russia's greatest treasures that are housed there. We entered by an incredible staircase into a wondrous collection of some of the finest artifacts...

From Russia With Love... Part 2

I had dinner that night and just about every night at one of Moscow's most exciting restaurants in the heart of the theater district. Before arriving in Moscow I had researched Moscow online and had met Dolf. He told me that he owned a fine restaurant...

From Russia With Love... Part 1

It's something that I would never have dreamed of...visiting Moscow and getting paid to do it! But that's what happened. And I still feel as if I'm living the dream. How did it all come about? Just by my deciding long ago that "good enough" wasn't!

On The Road With Monte

When I think back at my favorite travel photographs they almost invariably turn out to be of the people I ran into along the way. There are exceptions, of course. For the most part, however...

People, Places, And Things... On Holiday, All Are Fair Game

You may wonder what I do when I'm on vacation. You guessed it--take pictures! Memories are made from snapshots like these that I created recently on a trip to Florida's Keys. Now, when I look back at my vacation memories I realize that of all the countless people...

Use Black And White

There must be something to black and white photography. It's been around for years. It's had its heyday, its demise, and now a comeback that's making history. And why not? It's graphic, grand, and gorgeous!

Shoot Outside All Day Long

Sure, it's nice to shoot outside just before sunset with the "sweet light." But it's just as nice to be able to shoot all day long. That's what I wanted to prove recently in my class in Whitewater, Wisconsin.

Getting Back To The Basics

Since I travel a lot by myself, I've learned that I just can't get along without a toothbrush and my little digital camera. Sure, I've got the big toys, too, but it's not like having a little camera in your pocket for when you need a friend.

What I Did On My Photographic Vacation

For the first time in years I decided to plan a photographic vacation this year, but not to one of those crowded popular tourist attractions you see advertised in all the magazines. I took my cameras to Ely, Minnesota. Never heard of it?

While Strolling Through The Park One Day Part III

In actuality, our stroll through the park only took one afternoon. With these monthly articles, however, it's taken three months to show you what we did. I guess that one of these days I...

While Strolling Through The Park One Day Part II

I began my column last month by saying, "I really never know what to expect when I'm taking one of my classes on a field trip." Boy, is that the truth! Since I began this column a couple of weeks ago I've been on several more field trips...

While Strolling Throught The Park One Day Part I

I really never know what to expect when I'm taking one of my classes on a field trip. I do know that I will be using the same portrait techniques outdoors that I use when I'm in a studio environment.

Simple Lighting Makes For Effective Portraiture...

Before we delve into portrait lighting and lighting techniques, it's important to understand what portrait lighting is and why it's an invaluable tool for three-dimensional photography. In trying to create a three-dimensional effect on a flat piece of paper...

The Wedding Day, Part III

It's possible to overshoot the ceremony itself. What you really should be doing is capturing the highlights from various viewpoints. The concept of these pictures is to show the bride and groom what their wedding ceremony actually looked like.

Wedding And Portraiture Just When You Thought You Knew Me

I keep growing, changing, and evolving. Nothing stays the same. I learn from experience and use my successes to trigger more. Some work, some don't. So, I decided to put together a few of my recent successful images and tell you how they were created.

Wedding And Portraiture Lighting, Whats It All About

Much has been written about light and lighting equipment. Yet, I've found very little written about what we're trying to accomplish with lighting. Maybe, with a little more discussion along these lines, lighting will not become such a mystery to so many photographers.

Friendly Tips For Photographers A Reminder About Effective Techniques

A recent class in South Carolina brought to mind quite a few things that photographers have heard before, but for one reason or another just never seem to remember at the appropriate time. So, skimming through some of the images that I created that week...

Take Control Of Your Background

It may surprise you that many people taking pictures today are quite shocked when they see the results of their efforts. "That isn't what I saw when I took the picture!" they say. Or worse: "How did this happen?"

A New Direction For Portraiture

For the past few years there's been a lot of apprehension as to what's happening to the state of classic portraiture. Now, there's an answer. It's growing, maturing, and blossoming out. And, it's also going digital!

The Whitewater Experience Wedding And Portrait Class For All Seasons

Fall came late last year to Wisconsin. Either that, or my annual Whitewater class was earlier than it has ever been. Usually, we have autumn color. This time we had sunshine, rain, and a lot of fun (nothing new!). Through it all we learned to photograph in the studio...

Seeing Pictures, Outdoor Backgrounds Around Every Corner

I arrived at the International Wedding Institute, Hasselblad's annual school for wedding photographers in Tucson, Arizona, a day early to get a feel for things and scout locations for outdoor portraiture. I didn't have to look far.

More Simple Lighting Techniques For Photography Outdoors

When I added JJ to the portrait, I turned Danielle around to put her into a feminine pose, kneeled him down beside her and made another exposure. I was on a roll! This time, however...

Simple Lighting Techniques For Professional Photography Outdoors

Professional photographic technique means an approach that works consistently--no trial and error. Through the years I have developed several methods for lighting outdoors that have become a significant part of my style. I'll detail some of them for you.

Out Of The Darkroom, And Into The Light

The story began when I volunteered to assist photographing a wedding in San Juan, Puerto Rico, as part of my position as Photographic Consultant for Carnival Cruise Lines. While sharing the drive to the location of the wedding with the bridal couple, Mike and Beth Bundy...

See And Think Like Your Lens

For the moment think about what the lens is doing for us, what it's seeing and how it's reacting. By doing so we can eliminate surprises. We know what to expect before we even see the picture. Why? Because it's there in the viewfinder of our cameras.

Simple Steps To Elegant Portraiture

At a recent class in Cleveland my sweet and gracious bride model, Avril, told me that she wouldn't be able to come in the next day because she had no one to take care of her children. I told her to bring them in. I'd photograph them.

Create Your Own Outdoor Portrait Studio

Portraits can be created outdoors in just about any environment. The key is to learn how to make just about any lighting situation work for you. Sometimes, when you choose your background you might find yourself...