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Ever wondered how a simple filter could transform your photography?

In this solo episode of Tog-Talk, I dive into the world of polarising filters, answering a listener’s question about their usage and benefits. I explore how polarising filters work, why they’re essential for many photographers, and share personal experiences that highlight their impact on image quality.

Alongside the technical explanation, I reminisce about my early days with Olympus film cameras and offer practical advice for both beginners and experienced photographers alike.

Discover the magic behind polarising filters and how they can elevate your shots. I break down the evolution from linear to circular polarisers and how these filters can drastically enhance your images by reducing reflections and enriching skies.

Final Thoughts:

I wrap up the episode with a reminder about the power of polarising filters for both landscape and portrait photography, encouraging you to explore the creative possibilities they offer. I also hint at future episodes where I’ll cover more technical topics in-depth.

Next Episode: Stay tuned for more photography insights and the return of my co-host Kelly!

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Host: Kevin Ahronson, Founder of Hampshire School of Photography
Co-Host: Kelly Perring

Episode Summary:

In this thought-provoking episode, Kevin Ahronson and his co-host, Kelly Perrin, dive into one of the most controversial topics in photography today: the role of Artificial Intelligence. With humor, insight, and a touch of personal reflection, Kevin and Kelly explore whether AI is a powerful tool for photographers or a potential threat to the craft they love.

•Kelly’s Latest Projects: Kelly shares exciting updates from her photography studio, including mini sessions, a unique transitional photo shoot, and an upcoming photography competition for the Hampshire Photography Network.

•AI as a Game Changer: Kevin and Kelly talk candidly about how AI has transformed the way photographers manage their businesses—from automating text generation to enhancing marketing efforts—and how both use AI in their work.

•AI in Photo Editing: Kevin explains how AI tools like Adobe Firefly, Topaz, and Lightroom’s new features have saved him hours of editing while maintaining creative integrity. He contrasts the efficiencies AI provides with the ethical dilemmas it presents.

•Ethical Dilemmas and Real-Life Impacts: Kelly shares her personal experience with AI-generated images, including the unexpected emotional impact of seeing “flawless” AI versions of herself. The duo dives deep into the societal concerns of AI-generated beauty standards, misinformation, and the influence on young generations.

•AI in Competition: The conversation turns to the controversy of AI-generated images in photography competitions, referencing the infamous Sony World Photography Award incident, where an AI-created image won a prestigious prize.

•The Future of Photography: Kevin shares his predictions on how AI will evolve in the photography industry over the next 5 to 10 years, touching on the resurgence of film photography and the enduring human love for simple, tactile creative processes.

•Advice for AI Experimenters: Kevin offers practical wisdom for photographers curious about experimenting with AI in their workflow—encouraging moderation and mindful application.

Memorable Quotes:

•“AI is like a good single malt whiskey—enjoy it, but in moderation!” – Kevin

•“We love our technology, but we get romantic about the old stuff.” – Kevin

•“It was such a sense of achievement when that first film image appeared. You can’t duplicate that with digital.” – Kelly

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Unlock the secrets of creating stunning bokeh and elevate your photography game with our latest episode of Tog Talk! I'm Kevin Ahronson from the Hampshire School of Photography, and today, I'm tackling your most burning questions about photography. Prompted by David Emery's curiosity, we dive into what bokeh truly is, why it has skyrocketed in popularity in the digital age, and how it can dramatically improve the focus and quality of your images. Tune in to discover the fine art of achieving that dreamy background blur, master the nuances of controlling depth of field, and understand how your choice of lens and shooting distances can make all the difference.

But wait, there's more! We'll also be reflecting on whether the craze for bokeh is eclipsing other vital photographic techniques. Are we losing the art of environmental portraits that capture the essence of a scene? Together, we'll explore the pressures photographers face to stick to trends and the importance of staying true to your unique style. Whether you're a beginner eager to make your photos stand out from smartphone snaps or a seasoned pro looking to refine your craft, this discussion promises to be both enlightening and inspiring. Don't forget to submit your questions for future episodes—your voice is what makes Tog Talk truly special!

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Tog-Talk returns after a 12 month gap.  

This time, Kevin is joined by new co-host Kelly Perrin.

Imagine a casual conversation between two passionate photographers, sharing tips, stories, and insights about the art of capturing images. That's Tog-Talk. Hosted by Kevin Ahronson from Hampshire School of Photography and his co-host Kelly Perrin, Tog-Talk is more than just a podcast; it's a community for photographers of all levels.

From technical advice to personal experiences, in this episode, Tog-Talk covers a wide range of topics. Want to know how to transition from a hobbyist to a professional photographer? Kelly's got you covered. Struggling with imposter syndrome? You're not alone! Tog-Talk dives deep into this common challenge, offering practical advice and encouragement.

As female photographers in a male-dominated industry, Kelly and Kevin understand the unique challenges and opportunities that come with their profession. They share their experiences and discuss the importance of creating more inclusive spaces for women in photography.

Kelly's talks about how her new photography studio in Fleet offers a welcoming and affordable space for amateur photographers to practice and develop their skills. It's a place where photographers can feel comfortable and supported, without the pressure of being in a professional environment.

Submit your questions:
Listeners are encouraged to submit questions, which will be answered on air.  Go to the Tog-Talk website and click on the microphone icon (bottom right)  

Female photographers are invited to share their experiences and potentially participate in women-only workshops, fostering a supportive community.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, Tog-Talk offers valuable content to inspire and educate. It's a place to connect with other photographers, learn new techniques, and celebrate the art of capturing images. So tune in and join the Tog-Talk community!

Free online community for amateur photographers in Hampshire (also Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire, Surrey and West Sussex).  Hampshire Photography Network on Facebook

Hampshire School of Photography for live, face to face workshops and courses.   Online courses coming very soon!

All other communications should be via [email protected]

APOLOGIES
I mentioned in the conversation that we would be listening to a listener's question at the end of this episode.  I'm afraid we ran out of time and so I will be answering it next week on my solo show.

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Tog-Talk Episode 29
With this week's guest David Emery

In the first Tog-Talk podcast to be shot in video (Watch it on YouTube or Vimeo), Kevin Ahronson interviews David Emery, a photographer he has known for four years. 

David shares his journey into photography, which began with inspiration from his grandfather who had a cine camera and a 35mm camera. David got his first SLR, a Praktica, on his 14th birthday and started with film photography before transitioning into digital photography. Over the years, he used various cameras, including Canon's 350D DSLR and later the Canon 80D. He eventually adopted the mirrorless trend with the Canon EOS R.

David is a generalist photographer, not bound to a specific niche. He enjoys capturing moments and candid shots.

His technical knowledge on cameras has grown significantly over time, and he credits Kevin's masterclass for enhancing his understanding of the process of taking a photo.


Test Your Knowledge
Test your photography knowledge with the free Photography Assessment Tool

Improving your photography
I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to improve your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?
Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one-year course)

Students on the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills.  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo-assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Kevin Ahronson is founder of Hampshire School of Photography: www.hampshirephotoschool.com

More teaching and video tutorials are available at the Photography Teacher

Email: [email protected]

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

What would you compare your photography journey to?   

Has your growth and experience behind the camera been like a rocket or has it been more like a snail?  Are you completely committed to following your creative journey - or is it a bit spasmodic? 

Good days and bad days?

In this week's Tog-Talk, I am joined by hobbyist-photographer Sandy Borrowdale who describes her photography as sometimes being a bit like her going to the gym.

Originally recorded two months ago, back in May

Click above to listen, or visit my dedicated podcast website tog-talk.com for more details and background information.


Test Your Knowledge
Test your photography knowledge with the free Photography Assessment Tool

Improving your photography
I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to improve your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?
Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one-year course)

Students on the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills.  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo-assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Having taken up photography just a few years ago on retirement, Alec completely threw himself into it and has a fascinating tale of rapid progress.

Abandoning his Sony camera for an extensive Nikon system, Alec has had a roller coaster experience - culminating in mentoring under one of the world's greatest photographers.

In this episode of Tog Talk,  Alec Grant tells us about his photographer's Journey

More to read at tog-talk.com


Test Your Knowledge
Test your photography knowledge with the free Photography Assessment Tool

Improving your photography
I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to improve your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?
Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one-year course)

Students on the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills.  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo-assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

For several years I've been exploring the subject of the journey we all embark on as photographers.   It really is just like a journey with a beginning and a middle, but it has no end (it goes on forever).  It has all the qualities of a great adventure with highs and lows, it has pitfalls and moments of elation.  And like real journeys, some elements take a long time to get anywhere and others are reached in the blink of an eye.

When photographers get together and start talking about their own experiences it's amazing how many similarities we share.  Who hasn't had frustrations, who hasn't had moments when they felt like giving up?    Sharing stories is a sobering exercise that puts our problems into perspective.  We realise that we're not alone and that everyone else has (at one time or another) been through exactly the same challenges. 

In this episode of Tog-Talk Dr Simon Ruffle talks about his Photographer's journey and we explore a range of side issues that examine photography from the traveller's perspective.


Mentioned in the Conversation:

Link to Topaz Labs software
This is excellent software which goes way beyond what Photoshop or Lightroom are capable of in terms of getting rid of unwanted ISO noise.  It uses AI (artificial intelligence), which has been trained on millions of images.  With this knowledge, it removes unwanted noise from your photos and sharpens all the soft, blurry bits for you.  It's a very clever piece of software.

Improving your photography
I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to improve your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?
Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one-year course)

Students on the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills.  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo-assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Test Your Knowledge
Or you could simply test your photography knowledge and have a go at our free Photography Assessment Tool

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Five of my top tips for photographing people

I've been photographing people for a long time.  I started doing it almost as soon as I bought my first 35mm film camera.  In my home town of Brighton (on the south coast of England) I cut my teeth on capturing ordinary people going about their daily lives down on the beach and on Brighton's busy, bohemian streets. 

In later years I moved into the studio and I had several years shooting weddings, families and corporate headshots.  You pick up some tricks when you shoot as much as I did,  and on today's Tog-Talk I'm going to share my thoughts on five really helpful things to either avoid... or things that are essential if you want to take good images.

There is great advice here for newbies with cameras, but I'm also sure there will be things to learn for photographers who have been shooting for a while.

Need more..?
If you want to know a bit more, check out my Tog-Talk website which usually has photos and additional words of guidance: www.tog-talk.com


Improving your photography
I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to imporove your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo-editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?
Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one year course)

Students on the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills .  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo-assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Test Your Knowledge

Or you could simply test your photography knowledge and have a go at our free Photography Assessment Tool

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/

Send us Fan Mail

Episode 10 of the 10-part series looking at Photography Basics.

In this final episode I take a look at the editing options for your photography.  Editing is an interesting subject and people often have strong views on its pros & cons.

For most of us, editing allows us to produce images which are more eye-catching.  We remove unwanted objects, we balance shadows and highlights, tweak colours and adjust the final shape of the image with cropping. 

If you would like to know more about editing your own photos, you will find this edition of Tog-Talk very interesting.


Links to editing software mentioned in this edition of Tog-Talk.

Used mainly professionals and advanced amateurs 

• Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom Plan
• Capture One 

Beginners Editing Software

• Photoshop Elements
• Affinity
• Luminar
• Gimp (free)

This isn't the entire range of editors on the market, but they are perhaps the most well-known / capable. 


Improving your photography
I really appreciate you taking the time to listen to this broadcast and I hope that you have found it interesting as well as entertaining.   If you're looking to imporove your photography and you live close enough to our training centre in Fleet, Hampshire, you could attend one of our workshops (or our longer courses) in both photography and photo-editing.

If you're at the beginning of your photography journey you might find this one-day introduction, just what you're looking for:

• Introduction To Photography (1-day Workshop)

Run four times a year, this one-day photography workshop will equip you with the knowledge you need to move from simply being a camera-owner… to becoming a real photographer!  Whether you're photographing your kids, snapping your holidays or you're hoping to progress your photography to a more creative level, you'll still need a solid grasp of the basics.

Want something more?
Alternatively, If you want a course that raises the bar, something to immerse yourself in for a whole year, you'll want to join our Photography Masterclass.  Run twice a year, with intakes during Spring and Autumn, it is our core workshop.

• The Photography Masterclass (one year course)

Students on the Photography Masterclass will build a solid foundation of technical and creative skills .  They will learn not only how their cameras work and how to shoot with a creative eye, but there are modules on photographing people, working with flash, shooting landscapes, macro photography, as well as two modules on editing.

This is a ten-module photography course with photo-assignments between sessions.  Each session lasts three hours and will include time to examine assignment images and take part in practicals (where appropriate).

Test Your Knowledge

Or you could simply test your photography knowledge and have a go at our free Photography Assessment Tool

Got a Photography Question?

If you have a burning question about (virtually) anything to do with photography, click on this link. You can record your question onto your device (phone, laptop, etc) and if picked, I will play it during the show. https://www.tog-talk.com/voicemail/

Looking for courses

Want to find out about my live, in-person workshops, check out the Hampshire School of Photography website:

https://www.hampshirephotoschool.com

Hampshire Photography Network

A free Facebook group for amateur photographers who want to connect, collaborate and grow together.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1222685165227144

Contact me

You can contact me by leaving a message via this link: https://www.tog-talk.com/contact/