slr photography guide - september edition 2015

Classic TipsShoot with purpose

2015 ISSUESEPTEMBER

GUIDEPHOTOGRAPHYSLR

SEPTEMBER EDITIONDIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE EDITOR TANYA PUNTTISLRPHOTOGRAPHYGUIDE.COM

2015

Student image © Kodak Kev (UK) Shutter Speed 1/3 | Aperture f/11 | Focal Length 55mm

Our online photography course now comes with four e-books: Aperture Explained, Mastering Shutter Speed, Understanding ISO and Going Manual. If you are yet to download them, look under the ‘Files’ link beneath our facebook group header image (students only).

Enrol now http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/online-courses.shtml

in this issue

Student image © Jay Campbell Aperture f/5.6 | ISO 800 | Shuer Speed 1/1000

Student image © Liana MacFarlane (USA) ISO 500 | Aperture f/10 | Shutter Speed 1/60 sec | Focal length 24 mm

Student image © Diane Rosoha Granger (USA) ISO 200 | Focal Length 371mm | Aperture f/5.6 | Shuer Speed 1/1600

Student image © Laurie Lally (USA) 300mm Focal Length | ISO 1250 | Aperture f/5.6 | Shuer Speed 1/320

Classic photography tips you are probably not following

1. Save your back and only take the gear you really need with you

This is one I’m guilty of myself, yet time and time again I find myself lugging around an overloaded camera bag to find I only use one lens the entire day!

2. Keep your camera sensor spotless

It makes sense to do a regular sensor clean, unless of course you enjoy spending It makes sense to do a regular sensor clean, unless of course you enjoy spending hours cloning out dust spots?

3. Get everything right in camera and stop using Photoshop to fix mistakes!

Photoshop was not invented to correct shooting errors at the editing stage. It was created to fine-tune images that were taken as best as possible in camera.

4. Get out early and stay out late

A classic tip for landscape photographers is to shoot at dawn and dusk when A classic tip for landscape photographers is to shoot at dawn and dusk when light is at it’s best! If you want epic landscape photographs and you are shooting in the middle of the day, it’s not going to happen!

5. Don’t chimp while shooting

Chimping is slang for checking your camera’s rear screen after each shot. Chances are you’ll miss other photo opportunities while looking at your back LCD screen!

Quick Photography Tips

6. Look at the background first

The quality of the background will make or break a photo. Look out for bright colourful objects that distract a viewers eye away from the subject. Often it’s simply a matter of moving around until you find a better angle.

7. If you are not shooting in RAW make the switch now!

When shooting in JPEG, all the camera choices you make prior to pressing the When shooting in JPEG, all the camera choices you make prior to pressing the shutter button are locked into the final image. That is a lot of pressure for beginners! What if you choose the wrong white balance and the colours end up all wonky? Shooting in RAW on the other hand, allows you to adjust white balance, picture styles, exposure and sharpness (amongst others) at a later time in post editing.

8. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes and don’t be down on yourself when you 8. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes and don’t be down on yourself when you do! No professional ever woke up one morning deciding to be a photographer and immediately started taking great photos.

Don’t limit your lenses by genre

When one thinks of landscape photography, they often imagine epic landscape scenes taken with wide-angle lenses. Sometimes it's good to try a different perspective. On this evening the sunset was a complete fizzer, so I switched to a telephoto lens (300 mm focal length) and pointed the camera to the distant mountains instead!

More Quick Tips

Imitation will hold you back

It’s not hard to find images that inspire you. All you need do is search photo galleries like Flickr or 500px. While it’s hard not to be influenced by the work of others when you are first starting out, if all you do is imitate another by reverse-engineering their camera settings, then sooner or later you are going to become bored with your own photos.

We highly recommend taking time to master your camera step by step. Only We highly recommend taking time to master your camera step by step. Only when you have full control of the technical aspects of picture-taking, are you able to ‘make’ photos rather than ‘take’ them.

Once you have the technical side sorted out, you are then free to push your creativity towards a direction that is only limited by your own imagination.

If you ever become bored, start a new photography project. For example, force If you ever become bored, start a new photography project. For example, force yourself to shoot with a 50mm focal length for an entire month, or use aperture f/2.8. Others may pick their favorite colour to photograph for a whole week, or try something out of your comfort zone. How often do you find yourself visiting the same locations at the same time of day and using the same camera settings only to take the same photos that you always do?

Experiment with your DSLR camera. Pick one setting and work out fully what it Experiment with your DSLR camera. Pick one setting and work out fully what it does before moving onto another. Don’t worry about taking perfect shots, concentrate instead on truely understanding your camera. Remember photography is a mix between the technical and the creative.

The true beauty of DSLR cameras, is that once you have the technical side down pat, you are free to be as creative as you want. But you won’t achieve this if all you’re doing is imitating another’s camera settings and / or style.

Student image © Deanne Roberts Student image © Mireille Pizzo (AU)

MacroStudent image © Dianna Lofton (USA)

Student image © Mark Fuller (USA) image © Sally Rankine McRoberts (USA)

Student image © Steve Staton (Canada)

Student image © Kaye Hazel (AU)

Student image © Bev LeCloux Delchambre(US)Student image © Rachel Paulhus Ling (Canada)

Student image © Kathy Duncan Tamron 150 - 600mm lens | ISO 400 | Aperture f/8.0 | Shutter Speed 1/1000

Student image © Merrilyn Ainsworth Parry (USA) ISO 800 | Shutter Speed 1/25 | Aperture f/4.8 | Focal Length 116 mm

Student image © Lee Schilling (Australia) Sony a33 camera | Aperture f/4.5 | ISO 100 | Shutter Speed 1/4000.

Student image © Reneboy Anana (USA) ISO 1250 | Aperture f/11 | Shutter Speed 1/30 | Focal Length 165mm

(student profile)

https://www.flickr.com/photos/80237819@N02/https://500px.com/basriahmedov

Basri is a man of few words, as English is not his first language. However it is not Basri is a man of few words, as English is not his first language. However it is not by words, but through imagery that Basri tells his story. As Ansel Adams once quoted "A true photograph need not be explained, nor can it be contained in words." I think it’s fair to say that Basri’s photographs speak for themselves. Time and time again, he produces some of the most beautiful landscape images I’ve ever had the pleasure of viewing, and is always an incredible inspiration for others.

Basri Ahmedov

What do you enjoy most about being a photographer?

I absolutely love nature and enjoy the beauties of this world with my camera in hand. There’s nothing like being out all night or rising very early to seal the moment. I also enjoy showing others my photography and seeing their reaction when they view beautiful landscapes I am fortunate to capture here in Finland where I live.

How has our photography course helped you?

Everything I learned about photography is from this course! I am forever thankful for the advice and teachings that you give in your lessons. I have learned a lot and for that I am grateful, thank-you.

Having

What’s your favorite photograph that you’ve taken and why?

If I had to pick just one, it would have been taken on the evening I went to photograph the sunset over Lake Lohjanjärvi. Just after sunset as I was ready to leave for home, I noticed beautiful colors of the sky reflecting on a nearby boat. I’ve always liked photos with boats in the foreground, and this picture soon become my favorite.

What plans do you have for the future of your photography?

For now, photography is my hobby and I enjoy shooting when I'm free. As I think about photography constantly and would like to have a job that I really love, I’m aiming to one day have it as my full time career. I would like to travel the world and photograph the beauty of the land whilst meeting other photographers worldwide.

To view more of Basri’s photography visit:To view more of Basri’s photography visit:https://www.flickr.com/photos/80237819@N02/https://500px.com/basriahmedov

Shooting With Purpose

When I first started photography my trigger happy finger was shoong everything in sight! My reacon would be, ‘Wow look at that bird ... click click click’. A lot has changed since I first started out. I’ve learned that shoong with purpose, no maer what genre you enjoy photographing, gets far beer results than le ng my tricker happy finger shoot off hundreds of random shots one aer another.

Shoong with purpose means you have taken the me to think about Shoong with purpose means you have taken the me to think about what it is you want the end viewer to see when they look at the image. Your images should have an impact and tell a story, otherwise they are no different than any other point and click photo uploaded in the thousands to social media every day.

Without proper planning and execuon, the purpose will remain oblivious. Without proper planning and execuon, the purpose will remain oblivious. Sure anyone nowadays with a DSLR can end up with nice images, but without considering all aspects of the exposure and allowing the camera to make decisions for you, you’re not really shoong with intent, which means you won’t get those WOW moments.

Shoong with purpose means you take into consideraon all aspects of the image you’re creang, starng with the subject and composion, the lens you choose, all the way to the aperture, ISO and shuer speed.

Quesons you should be asking yourself to begin with include:

- What lens should I use to suit the composion I have in mind?

- Do I need a fast or slow shuer speed? i.e. am I photographing a - Do I need a fast or slow shuer speed? i.e. am I photographing a moving subject that I want to capture it in a split second, or do I want to show movement?

- Do I want a large or small depth of field? Do I want everything in sharp focus, or do I want background blur?

Before allowing the camera to set the shuer speed, aperture, or any Before allowing the camera to set the shuer speed, aperture, or any other se ng, regardless of what mode you’re in, figure out what it is you really want out of this capture.

Decide on what the purpose is, then double check that the lens, composion and camera se ngs will allow you to carry through that intent. If it isn’t, change them!

... shooting with purpose continued

A sure sign of someone who has not shot with purpose is clutter! Your subject A sure sign of someone who has not shot with purpose is clutter! Your subject should be the focus and clearly the object of your affection. Images taken on impulse without much thought are often cluttered. A busy image doesn’t convey a message and usually indicates a photographers lack of planning. In the competitive world of photography nowadays, impulse shots often translates to loss of audience.

Knowing the location is just as important as knowing the subject. For example, Knowing the location is just as important as knowing the subject. For example, I’ve known bird photographers to visit a location at different times of the day, looking for areas with maximum activity. Don’t forget your own backyard can often be a great location for shooting with purpose! This is where I’ve been able to spend time studying bird behavior on a daily basis. I know what flowers they are attracted to and at what times of the day. By growing bird attracting plants in pots, I am able to re-arrange them in the garden to take advantage of the best possible backgrounds. possible backgrounds.

Think through each photo shoot more carefully, it shows in the end.

QUESTION 1 - Why are my images never as good on my computer monitor as they look on the camera LCD screen?

ANSWER - Your camera’s display is lying to you! The soware on your DSLR camera ANSWER - Your camera’s display is lying to you! The soware on your DSLR camera was tweaked to make images look their best on smaller LCD screens. It was developed to make photos seem brighter and more vibrant than they actually are, giving a false impression of exposure. However you can adjust the brightness of the LCD screen to make it either brighter or darker to match that of your monitor. The amount you can adjust it depends on the model you have.

QUESTION 2 - Why aren’t both eyes in focus when using low aperture f/numbers such QUESTION 2 - Why aren’t both eyes in focus when using low aperture f/numbers such as f/2.8?

ANSWER - When photographing a person with an aperture of f/2.8 or thereabouts and ANSWER - When photographing a person with an aperture of f/2.8 or thereabouts and a longer zoom lens, for example 70mm or longer, it is best to keep both eyes on the same focal plane if you want both to be in sharp focus. ie have the person looking directly at you and not at an angle, so both eyes are the same distance to you as the photographer. The alternave is to increase the f/number higher to say f/5.6 or use a wider focal length, for example 30mm.

FAQ

QUESTION 3 - Why do my indoor photos have a yellow colour cast?

ANSWER - The Auto White Balance se ng on your DSLR somemes gets it wrong, ANSWER - The Auto White Balance se ng on your DSLR somemes gets it wrong, especially when it comes to interior lighng. The quickest soluon is to switch to the Tungsten (also called Incandescent) white balance or Fluorescent, depending on the lighng. If you have a mix of lighng, for example light streaming in through a window while you have indoor lights switched on as well, then you need to set Kelvin and experient with different temperatures to find the right one. Or alternavely you can use a grey or white card. Hold it near the subject, then capture a Custom White Balance se ng on your camera. Balance se ng on your camera.

QUESTION 4 - Should I have one tripod leg facing the rear or two?

For longer / heavier lenses, it’s best to have one leg out in front as there’ll be less chance of the tripod toppling over. For wider lenses it’s the opposite to reduce the chance of a tripod foot ending up in the image.

QUESTION 5 - Why don’t my sunset photos look very colourful?

ANSWER - The Auto White Balance se ng on your camera aims to produce neutral results, which oen means it can drain all the orange light out of sunsets and sunrises. I recommend switching to Daylight / Sunlight white balance for natural colours, or Cloudy / Shade to really emphasise golden skies.

Did you know our online photography course

now comes with downloadable cheat sheets?

"If you haven't taken advantage of printing the cheat sheets, I strongly suggest you take time to do so. These alone are worth

the price of the course." ~ John Smith (student)

Check out our online photography course over at

http://www.slrphotographyguide.com/online-courses.shtml

slr photography guide - september edition 2015

Documents