Some of the greatest memories are made during summer. So, with this awesome season right around the corner, it would really be a great idea if you can brush up on your photography skills to allow you to capture all the fun memories that are to be made this summer season.
So, how do you take full advantage of summer? If you want to explore the many possibilities summer can bring and use it in improving your photography skills, then you may want to consider the following tips:
Capture the mood of summer. What does summer mean to you and what makes this season so inspiring? Does summer mean lazing on the beach and building castles in the sand? Does it mean spending more time in the park playing Frisbee with your favorite canine companion? Does it mean spending quality time with your family in the great outdoors, fishing in the lake and enjoying a cozy campfire at nightfall? Well, whatever this season means to you, you can definitely use it as an inspiration and turn it into some awesome images with the help of your trusted camera. Remember to make your images personal and you are sure to come up with some very good images that you can cherish for years to come.
Use a polarizer. If you want to get deeper and richer colors, reduce reflective glare and minimize the risk of overexposing the wonderful summer skies, then you should definitely use a polarizing lens. Believe me; you’ll need a polarizing lens if you want to capture exceptionally stunning images!
Use colors to tell your unique summer experience. Do you know that you can use colors to convey your message and tell your story quite effectively? Emphasizing warm colors such as vibrant reds, yellows and oranges can convey a feeling of warmth while using cool colors can create an impression of refreshment.
Don’t shy away from black and white. While colors can be your best friends this summer, going for black and white can also be such an awesome idea. The unique summer conditions create a wonderful canvass for your black and white photos so don’t be afraid to use it to your advantage!
Avoid harsh light. Perhaps you are already aware of the fact that taking photographs under harsh lighting conditions can be quite a bad idea, right? Photographing people under direct sunlight at the middle of the day will make them squint and cast dark shadows in their faces.
If you want to avoid these effects, you can try moving your subjects in the shade or consider using a diffuser to soften the contrast and even the tones in the resulting images. You can also seek the help of a friend by holding a bed sheet between the sun and your subject(s). Another great idea is to photograph when the lighting is right. This usually occurs half an hour before and after sunrise and/or sunset. You’ll find that shooting at these times creates gentler lights and softer shadows.
Explore the beauty of candid shots. Did you know that taking candid shots can be one of the best things you can do this summer? So, bring your camera everywhere you go and hone your skills in action photography. To capture awesome candid shots, take at least 3 to 5 shots of each of your subjects, use minimum zoom and don’t use your flash.
Take advantage of the dark. Are you aware that some of the best photo opportunities present themselves after sundown? Take campfires and the firework display at the 4th of July as an example and you’ll surely get the idea.
Now, do you think you are up for the challenge? With these tips, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be! So, get out there, draw out your inspiration and start shooting. Believe me; it will turn out to be one of your best shoot summers in years!
Have fun with your summer photography,
Ray Baker
