The natural landscape of the piece of magic stone

　　What a huge week we’ve had here in the wide world of photography, and Toad Hollow Photography has been very busy compiling this very comprehensive list of tutorials, great photography and interesting blogs to share. You will find some great links here taking you off to see some fabulous works by some truly talented people. We hope you enjoy visiting these links as much as the Toad did in bringing them to you.
Check out the Toad’s photo blog and gallery of Canadian Fine Art and Landscape Photography.

　　Rodeo Beach Sunset by the_tahoe_guy, on Flickr
TUTORIALS
Getting The Perfect Portrait Every Time – a great piece from master photographers outlining tips and tricks on how to achieve that perfect portrait, every time you get behind the lens. David Ziser hosts this fabulous tutorial, making it widely available for everyone to enjoy and gain some behind-the-scenes information from.
Make Your Own Canvas Portrait – a short but awesome post on how to create your very own canvas portraits. Even if this is something you don’t have an immediate plan for, this great post is highly informative and left me personally with a lot of new creative ideas.
Lighting Basics: Hard Light and Soft Light – an absolutely detailed and highly informative article on different lighting, how it effects photography and how best to employ it. This is an in-depth article, sure to shed some light on this subject for most photographers, if you’ll pardon the pun.
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Learning to See (Part 3) – seriously profound, this series of pictures and accompanying story will leave you feeling something, no doubt about it. Master photographer and writer Tom Dinning shares a personal story that is punctuated with the most incredible imagery, sure to move all those who take it in. As the story unfolded, I had a strong sense I knew where we were going with it, but each and every word, each and every picture, was taken in like the finest square of chocolate or a sip of the finest whiskey.
Pyestock – The Gates Of The River Styx – easily one of my picks of this week, Mark Blundell roars onto the photography scene with this picture that will leave you with as many questions as answers. Incredible photography and processing merge to create this absolutely incredible piece. A great accompanying write-up explains the setting, leaving the viewer yearning for much, much more.
The House of the Crazy Man – our very own @astaroth delivers a profound, moving, dramatic and highly emotional piece that will take your breath away!! An absolutely incredible set of photographs of an abandoned and dilapidated building forms the imagery that is encapsulated in some of the most incredible writing I have seen this week. Guaranteed to move you, this series is a must see!!
Waterfall – a gorgeous and brooding image from the studio of A.D Wheeler shares a view of a waterfall and an older building on the side of the river. A beautiful and detailed photograph, this is absolutely amazing.
In The Pond – a montage of one of my favorite subjects; frogs. Barbara Youngleson shares a truly wonderful image, full of color and wonder that is sure to delight everyone.
Open Doors – textures, tones and a strong visual interest that is partly a result of a slightly minimalistic scene… a great photograph from the studio of Steve Beal shares a not often seen picture taken in an abandoned factory.
Dance Images – wonderful photographs of dancers in action are the prime subject of this post. Frank Doorhof captures and shares a truly stunning and evocative set of pictures with a captive audience.
Sure Footed Fellow – this picture showcases a shaggy mountain goat captured in Banff National Park. A fabulously composed image from the studio of Jeff Clow reveals a truly wonderful creature enjoying it’s life in a natural habitat.
Blue Door – personally, one of my favorite subjects is doors. If they have character and drama, all the better. Rich Helmer delivers such a piece in this post, full of great textures and contrast, creating a piece that is just fabulous.
Cloud To Ground – another great photograph from the studio of storm chasing Mike Olbinski. Mike’s work in this genre of photography is truly second to none, and in this shot we have all the inherent drama of the power of Mother Nature at work.
Conception of Peace in the Distance – a masterful picture from the studio of Gareth Glynn Ash shares a minimalistic view of a shoreline. Processed in dramatic black and white, with a brooding sky to add drama, this picture is a wonderful work.
Inveraray and Oban – a stunning series of HDR photos taken of a small town in Scotland provides a truly wonderful subject. Great colors and details adorn the set, creating a chance for everyone who visits to get to see a truly wonderful part of the world.
The Day Is Done – a gorgeous sunset creates spectacular splashes of color, using a train bridge as a silhouette and leading lines producing a great photo. Chris Frailey captures and shares a truly beautiful picture, one that immediately introduces a strong sense of serenity.

　　In Through the Out by CJ Schmit, on Flickr
Red-Tail Hawk at Bolsa Chica Wildlife Sanctuary – a powerful and commanding photograph of one of Mother Natures beautiful birds sitting on a tree, like a sentry. Jay Taylor captures and shares a truly breathtaking picture of this amazing bird, one well worth the time to view.
Click Here: 94 Photography Links That Rock