Let’s face it, photography has changed dramatically – no one would argue that now. Once upon a time you would have to finger through catalogue after catalogue of stock photography to find what you wanted. Agencies and publishers would be moving prints and transparencies across desks and ordering couriers to send satchels somewhere across the country for proofing or consideration. Stock photography is now another ‘kettle of fish’ and it’s just going to get better and better.
Location portraits are really cool! Why? Because you always have heaps of control. If your model is ‘carrying on’ and being difficult, give her a stiff scotch or a glass of champagne. If they are not dressed the way you want them to be, put their clothes in shadow or fix it later on if you have learned a little photoshop or some other manipulative software. You can even fix an unusual or sad expression by back-lighting.
The strange thing is, many photographers ‘give up the ghost’ when it comes to location portrait backgrounds, thereby losing control. Usually the worst place to shoot is where you first find your model. The backdrop is most often a distraction or complex and just makes the portrait too busy.
How to Take Stunning Photos During Winter
One of the outstanding benefits of being a photographer, whether you’re an amateur or a professional are the many choices or areas to work or experiment in. None less than winter or snow photography. You can of course ‘luck it’ and of course most savvy photographers with lots of time can simply figure things out. To help you along the path I’ve prepared a few tips for you.
Snow Exposure
You may already be aware that the exposure meter in a camera (digital or film) sees everything in neutral or mid gray tones. For instance, if you take a photo of the snow surface, it will (your camera) try to make it a light gray. This occurrence will take place whether you are on auto focus or manual. It won’t matter where you are; snow skiing, snowboarding or simply taking landscape snow shots. It won’t matter how much you paid for your camera or how little, the most advanced camera or the least. They give different results to beach photography and all meters see snow the same as each other.
Photography equipment requirements are different for various settings or modes of photography. What one may require for portrait photography is not necessarily needed for landscape or outdoor photography. Of course, having a cupboard full of equipment is nice but can be a poor use of funds and much of it can just sit there gathering dust. When it comes to photography equipment, always purchase what you need and remember, even the best photographers improvise a lot of the time. Here are some suggestions and tips on equipment for landscape photography that work for me…
Photographing The Wedding
Just about anyone wants to hire a photographer to capture their life-changing event of marriage in beautiful pictures for keepsake purposes. Most couples seek out a professional photographer to make sure they receive the highest quality photographs to remember their beautiful day with. Weddings provide some of the largest profit jobs available to photographers in this day and age.
Most weddings should include a contracted agreement between the couple being married and the photographer hired to capture the moments. This contract should include disclaimers for the sole purpose of relieving the photographer of grievances caused by poor lighting, failed equipment or any other events not readily under the photographer’s control.
You see them on TV. You see them in every magazine, on billboards, on the sides of buses – simply everywhere. I am talking about fashion and glamour models. People young and old rich and poor aspire to enter this exciting and glamorous vocation. One thing they all have in common is they-need-YOU, the photographer. They need photos for portfolios.
Here’s the good part. You can be an amateur-beginner or seasoned pro and still attract models to shoot right in your own hometown.
Now lets be honest. If you are looking for a date try a dating service. Be professional and respectful and your reputation will shine along with your business or hobby.
I really enjoyed the article I read today entitled, “Fun, Morning and Evening Lighting Shots,” by Dave Corn. In the article, he wrote:
“….. take the pictures at sunset and continue until the sun is nearly gone! Again, notice the changes in lighting (colors, textures, and contrasts). This is a fun exercise and you will be surprised in the dynamic variations in lighting and contrast you will see from morning to night…..”This is excellent advice for anyone interested in expanding his/her photographic horizons. The soft light of early morning and late evening is great, and can truly enable you to take photographs of a scene that are totally different from the “so-so,” “Ho hum” results of a mid-day shoot, when the lighting is so harsh.
Mr. Corn was also right on with his suggestion to take a tripod. Even with a fast, vibration-damped camera or lens, trying to get a really sharp sunset photo is difficult without a tripod. Sure, you can do it, but most of the photos taken that way are softer than we would prefer. Use either a good tripod, or, at the very least, a rest or a beanbag. Use a fast shutter speed. Use mirror lock-up. Even use a cable release or a remote to trip your shutter. Your photos will be sharper for your efforts.
Recently I was invited by Windsor Life Magazine to do a photo layout of the Detroit Grandprix held on September 02/07 on Belle Isle. I gained valuable experience and information in this highly competitive area of sports photography. Panning your shots is extremely important and very useful to capture a screaming indy car going past you at 160 miles an hour.
I used a Nikon D200 mounted with a 70 – 200 mm lens with VR and I shot the photos at iso 200 at f5.6 five frames per second 3200ths of a second shutter speed. The photos were excellent.
Trying to photograph animals is great fun, but challenging While it may only have been ten minutes, it felt like an eternity when trying to get a good shot of this vocal and precocious parrot. Every time I had him in focus and thought I had the perfect shot lined up, he would hide his head under his feathers, preen, or turn his back on me.
Finally, with the unintended help of a very young boy who was also following his every move, I managed to get my shot. The parrot had been squawking loudly, intermittently, and, in exasperation, the little boy blurted out “shut up, my mother tells me to shut up all the time”! The bird peered over at him and that’s when I got my photo. “Thanks”, I muttered. He looked up and very matter of factly said –
Recently I had the fun and exciting opportunity to attend a local Hot Rod Show at Lake Merced, CA. What a great setting. The Hot Rod Clubs were allowed to park their cars all around the lake’s perimeters near access roads and in other locations in the park area!
With the lake as a background and the subdued lighting, the stage was set. I took advantage of morning light and cool air conditions and showed up at the show at 9:00 in the morning. By that time there were several hundred cars carefully placed in the park and around the lake. Each owner was his own showman and had his own way of presenting his custom hot rod in all of its glory.