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I know two things about Dutch photographer Hugh Van Es:
1. He died last week.
2. He took this picture:

This is probably the most recognizable image from the American conflict in Viet Nam. (If you can think of another one, please say so, but I can’t.) It became a classic image of U.S. withdrawal in 1975.
Fun fact: This isn’t the American Embassy, as captions usually say. I think it’s just a hotel.
Anyway, I am going somewhere with this. Have you ever taken a picture like this? A single image that completely sums up a place, a period of time, or a state of mind?
What a great goal to keep in mind when you’re taking pictures of your own family – capturing an image that says it all. Chances are that standing everybody shoulder to shoulder flashing plastic grins isn’t going to do it.
Of course, I don’t have any idea how you CAN do it…but isn’t a great ambition anyway?
[photo courtesy of http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/05/17/arts/15vanesobit.jpg]

Visit http://www.earthmosaic.org/ for a potentially cool project taking place today in celebration of Earth Day. Basically the effort is an open call for photos from around the world, the stipulation being that they must be taken on earth day and (presumably) must depict some aspect of the Earth (as opposed to your really cute kid).
Once the photos are uploaded, they are going to compile them all together on some sort of a big digital map, which might make for a pretty cool compilation of stuff, hopefully from around the world.
If you have some time before midnight tonight, snap a quick shot and upload it using their big green “upload” button. If you don’t do that, at the very least check back later to see what they come up with. It’s bound to have some interesting results and might end up saying a lot about the potential use of technology to create big, cool, collaborative projects.
If anybody participated, let us know in the comments section. Happy Earth Day!

What’s handy, portable, and never more than two feet away? Your feet, that’s what.
And for some reason, when you’re saddled with a bunch of equipment and have one eye puckered up to the camera, it’s easy to forget that it’s okay to use them.
Walk closer. Step back. Lie down. Climb up high.
Especially if you’re shooting on a shoestring and don’t have a ton of equipment to work with, there are some very cool shots to be had if you’re willing to go with the flow a little bit and step out of your comfort zone.
Think bird’s eye view. Think worm’s eye view. Have some fun for a change!
Personally, I’m a lousy photographer, but have come up with some highly respectable shots by finding creative ways to approach the subject. For those of you that actually know what you’re doing, don’t let yourself overthink the process and forget that it’s okay to run around, have some energy, and take some creative shots over the course of the shoot. It is way too easy to get into the same old photo shoot routine and forget how important it is to mix things up once in a while.
Anybody have a tale of a cool, unusual, off-the-cuff shot that you’re glad you took?