Category: education

Photography Tips: Aspect Ratio

Posted on by Zach Dobson

Aspect ratio affects everything we do as photographers, from creating images in-camera to making prints and posting photos online. Here are three videos I made to help you navigate aspect ratio and keep your creative vision intact from camera to the final product.

Intro to Aspect Ratio

The first video is an introduction to aspect ratio and addresses the different types of cameras and what aspect ratios they use and what that means for you, the photographer.

How Aspect Ratio Affects Prints

The second video discusses how aspect ratio is connected to print sizes and how that’s affected by your camera’s ratio.

Aspect Ratio on Social Media

The third video is about how aspect ratio is connected to social media. It’s not related to any normal camera aspect ratio, so this video will parse how to get keep the integrity of your photos as much as possible when posting on social sites.

To see our Friday Photo Tips as they’re released, subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Related Posts

If you’re into honing your photography skills, you can see our other posts on shooting sports or creating a photo story.

Indianapolis Public Schools

Posted on by Zach Dobson

This time last year I worked on a project documenting Indianapolis Public Schools. I went to 10 different schools over the course of four days in April & May to photograph students in classes and activities. The images highlight the special programs and opportunities each school has to offer.

Here are some of my favorites. What’s the same and what’s different from when you were in school? Tell us in the comments!

Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
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Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools
  • Indianapolis Public Schools

Viva Nashvegas

Posted on by Zach Dobson

Hats, boots (buy one get two free) and neon signs.  This was my initial impression walking through downtown Nashville, Tennessee, known by locals as “Nashvegas” (thanks for the insider info, Val).

The images in this post offer a QUICK glance of Nashville.  We spent one night and approximately 20 hours in town.  With four young kids in tow, you won’t see the inside of a bunch of honky-tonks, but you will see what we saw: the outside of a bunch of honky-tonks, lots of boots (buy one get two free), street artists and giant wings.

Nashville was dubbed the “Athens of the South” in the 1850’s due to the high number of educational institutions and its arts scene.  So, naturally, it only made sense to build a full-size replica of the Parthenon for its Centennial Exposition in 1897.

I like to think the Parthenon of Ancient Greece had vendor tents outside selling gyros and wine.  Prove me wrong.

The scene outside the Nashville Parthenon.

The full scale replica of Athena in Nashville, TN.

Sun Diner is a Sun Records-themed breakfast joint in the heart of downtown Nashville, Tennessee.  Good food.  Good atmosphere.  Open 24 hours.

“What Lifts You” by local artist Kelsey Montague in the trendy area of Nashville known as The Gulch, is a ready-made Instagrammable spot for tourists to get dolled up and look like their cutest sightseeing outfits have sprouted wings.  Or, if you’re me, get dolled up and take photos of people taking photos of people sprouting wings.

So that’s that!  Go see Nashville.  It’s pretty cool.  I should mention, even if you’re traveling with young kids like we do, you can hear plenty of great music from the street (above, left) and there are a number of kid-friendly music venues like Wildhorse Saloon (above, right).  Oh and don’t forget to buy some boots (buy one get two free).

If you’re interested in licensing for these or any other images from Zach Dobson Photography, please contact us. And be sure to subscribe to see our latest content as it’s released as well as get some cool extras we offer only to our closest allies.

Visit Bloomington

Posted on by Zach Dobson

I love Bloomington!  As a student at Indiana University, Bloomington became the first home that I chose myself.  And even (nearly) 15 years since I last lived there, it’s still one of my favorite towns anywhere.

I was thrilled in 2016 to collaborate with Visit Bloomington on a cover story about the renovations at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall for their visitors guide.  Last fall we took on a broader look at Bloomington in two parts. For Part One, I scoured the streets of Bloomington checking out everything from restaurants and bars to trails and public art.

Part Two is top secret and will be released in early May.  Follow Visit Bloomington on Twitter (@VisitBtown) and Instagram (@visitbtown) to see the news first hand.

Kids. Just being.

Posted on by Zach Dobson

I had a co-op day recently at my kids’ preschool and thought I’d take a few photos.  It’s a kind and loving environment where kids can explore their own interests in their own ways.  They spend time outside every day, including in the rain and snow.

Scroll through the gallery below to see what it’s like on a typical fall day with a group of three and four-year-olds.  You’ll see them playing with some kindergarteners on the playground, too.

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