Use creative shutter speeds
One of the most creative tools we have at our disposal is the shutter speed. I like to use
long exposures to add movement or motion into an image. A sturdy tripod is essential as
this involves shutter speeds extending into the seconds.
Use a polariser
The polarising filter has to be one of the most useful filters for the outdoor photographer.
It takes the glare off reflective surfaces such as water, foliage, glass and metal and
saturates colours. As yet, image editing software can't replicate this filter, so keeping one
handy is a must to boost those colours whilst travelling.
Find natural frames
A framed photograph naturally draws the viewer into a picture leading the eye toward a
subject within that frame. By using natural frames whilst shooting you can create this
effect in camera. Flowers, trees and arched bridges can all act as frames within a frame.
Engage with the locals
People pictures are a must whilst travelling. They're not always the easiest of shots to get,
but sometimes a portrait of a local can say more about a place than a dozen sweeping
vistas.
Look for details
It's very tempting whilst travelling just to shoot the wide views and landmarks but
sometimes it's good to look for smaller details too. These can be natural details like
flowers and insects, or architectural details.
Shoot in the right light
On family holidays it is difficult to concentrate on your photography - believe me, I've
been there - but shooting at dawn and dusk when everyone else is either asleep or in the
bar will give you the chance to get out there and get some cracking shots in the bag.
Stay after sunset
The best conditions sometimes occur in the period between sunset and dusk when the last
light of the day underlights cloud cover, turning pink, orange and red. This is a great time
to shoot silhouettes or stunning seascapes.
Add people for scale
Adding a person in a scene will give the viewer a visual idea of the size of the landscape.
Colour is also important; a red jacket will always look great contrasting with the lush
green of a landscape.
Create a picture story
Travel pictures should tell a story, giving the viewer a visual idea of the character of a
place. Try shooting a picture story by including a landscape, a building, some details,
people, food and so on.
Close-up pics 1 Keep your eyes peeled
Take a look around you right now and think about how any of the objects in the
immediate vicinity could be turned into a great close-up image. Once you get your eyes
tuned in to searching for close-ups, you'll discover subjects at every turn.
2 Research your subject
If you'd rather shoot a close-up of an animal, insect or bird, it's important that you have a
good knowledge of your subject. Whilst you may come across some great subjects by
accident, you'll improve your chances ten fold by knowing where and when to find them.
3 Take note of the light
Soft, overcast light is particularly suitable for flowers and plants but is ideal for almost
any macro subject. Bright sunlight is great for bringing out the vibrant colours and for
backlighting the subject.
.
4 It's not all about expensive lenses
If you're really into close-up photography then consider splashing out on a specialist
macro lens. Alternatively, you can use close-up filters, which screw onto the end of the
lens and allow it to focus closer.
5 Use a tripod
In most situations it's best to use a tripod for macro work. It will reduce any issues with
camera shake, help enormously when composing your pictures and aids focusing as the
camera position is fixed.
6 Focus carefully
Autofocus is fine for some subjects but for greater control, switch to manual focus. For
wildlife such as butterflies and dragonflies, focus on the subject's eye. To maximise
subject sharpness, position your camera parallel to your subject.
7 Take control of the aperture
When working at very close distances the extent of your subject that is focus (depth of
field) is very shallow. Depth-of-field can be increased by selecting a small aperture such
as f/11 or f/16, which will bring more of the subject into focus.
8 Compose carefully
Good close-ups require attention to detail when it comes to composition. Symmetrical
subjects such as a butterfly or a straight on view a flower may look best placed centrally
in the frame whilst a flower spike might work better placed off to one side. It's good
practice to shoot various compositions with the subject placed at different positions
within the frame.
9 Work your subject
To get the most from your subject, work it hard and explore every possible shooting
angle. This not only generates lots more useable images but also helps develop your own
style.
Now is the perfect time to head outdoors with friends and family and come home with
your best ever pictures of them, Brett Harkness gives you his top tips
Choose your backgrounds wisely
The possible backgrounds are never-ending when you're shooting outside, and this can
make or break your shot. Almost anything can make a great background, but you need to
make sure that it's not cluttered of full of distracting colours.
Pick the right lens
Choose which lens is right for you and your style. Then take a look at who you are
photographing and think of the look you (and they) want, as lens choice can go a long
way to help you with this. I regularly shoot individuals on my longer zoom lens but pop
on the standard prime when I'm shooting groups.
Use a reflector
I never leave home without my trusty reflector. They're an invaluable tool to throw light
back into the face and body of the subject.
Look for the shade
On very sunny days the sun can create harsh unwanted shadows that are not particularly
flattering, so look for areas where you can put the subject completely in the shade without
any patches of light.
Push the boundaries
Don't be scared to push your outdoor portraits further by using a little flash. It can add
drama to your shots. Sometimes people think that flash can only be used when it's dark,
but that's not the case. I often use flash to create drama with my portraits when shooting
outside.
Move around
Family Portraits
Most portraits that you see, whether indoors or out, are shot at eye level. There's nothing
wrong with this, but it can get a little boring. Next time you have a go, try lying down in
grass and shooting up to the sky for an unusual angle to your portrait. Holding the camera
up above the subject can also work.
Let the camera help you
In my opinion there is no right or wrong way to use your camera as long as you get the
required result. I use the camera as efficiently as possible to get the shot. My rule is that if
there's enough light to give me a shutter speed that I'm happy with, I shoot on P
(Program. When the light starts to fade then I have to cheat the camera a little so go onto
a semi-automatic mode like aperture-priority or shutter-priority.
Take 'assistants' along
You might think this isn't much of a top tip or a rule, but I quickly saw a big difference in
my images when I took someone to the shoot with me.
Back them up!
There is nothing worse in the photography world than losing your images. You may think
this is only important for professionals but images are images, and they can represent the
only tangible record of captured memories. This rule applies to all areas of photography,
but it counts double for portraits. There are loads of different ways to back up your
images, but one thing is for sure - do it!
Landscapes
1 Go for quality
Good landscape photography is all about taking high quality images that are sharp from
front to back and don't have any digital noise. To achieve this, you need to make sure that
you're using the right file format and ISO setting.
2 Keep it steady
The very best landscape photos are often taken around sunrise or sunset when the light
levels are low. Consequently, shutter speeds are long making it essential for you to have
the camera supported to avoid camera shake. You could use a wall or fence, but the best
way is to use a tripod.
3 Look around the frame
There's probably no photographer out there who hasn't, at some point or another, taken a
great photo and upon inspection at home discovered there is something unwanted in the
frame, such as a piece of litter or a person/car. These distractions can usually be removed
on a computer later, but a couple of seconds spent now saves a couple of minutes later
on.
4 Know your area
It is possible to turn up at a location you've never visited before and take a great photo,
but there is no substitute for knowledge. It pays dividends to visit the location beforehand
and spend time thinking about the photo you want to take, what you want in it, where to
stand and what the best time of day.
5 Use compositional tricks
When you frame up your images, there are a number of tried and tasted compositional
tricks that can be used. Use the Rule of Thirds, lead-in lines, proportion and foreground
interest to put your landscape shots in a field of their own!
6 Get up early, go to bed late
Landscape photographers often keep unsociable hours. The reason for this is to make the
most of the 'golden hour' - the first hour of sunlight in the morning and the last hour of
sunlight in the evening. The sun is at a lower angle in the sky, which creates longer
shadows and is softer and warmer in appearance, turning the landscape a golden colour.
7 Keep it sharp
If you look at a landscape photo closely, you'll see that the foreground is sharp and so is
the far distance. To achieve this, you need a large 'depth-of-field' in your shots, which
means taking your camera off the P or green square mode. Select Aperture-priority and
choose a small aperture (f/16 or f/22) to get a large depth-of-field.
8 Use filters
There are two types of filter that are essential for landscape photography. A polariser
increases the colour saturation and removes reflections from surfaces such as water and
glass. Neutral density graduated filters help to reduce the brightness of the sky, so you
can get detail both in the sky and the land.
9 Watch the weather
Iit's important to learn to watch the weather - some photographers become so proficient at
this that they are able to forecast weather themselves to some degree. There are a variety
of websites that forecast the weather for you.
Bird Pics in the garden
Home > Advice > Expert Articles > The Rules - Nine essential rules to get great garden
bird shots this spring
The Rules - Nine essential rules for great
garden bird shots this spring
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The Rules
Digital SLR User Magazine
www.dslruser.co.uk
Return to Expert Articles
Articles by this author
The Rules - The nine rules you need to know to shoot perfect landscapes
The Rules - The nine rules you need to know to take great close-up images
Nature photographer Colin Varndell shares his essential tips to help you get great
images of garden birds.
1. Understand your subject
Luck doesn't come into capturing good photographs of any type of wildlife, it's far more
important that you have an understanding of their behaviour. That way you'll learn to be
in the right place at the right time.
2. Pay close attention to the background
Try to avoid cluttered backgrounds, which have a tendency to detract interest from the
main subject. Ideally, shoot your birds on natural perches with plain backgrounds.
3. Think about composition
Small birds look best side on, showing their shoulder or wing edge and head. It is
important to ensure there is always more space on the side to which the bird is facing.
This is simple psychology suggesting that the bird's interest is contained within the
picture.
4. Focus carefully
Although your digital SLR has a highly sophisticated autofocus system, it may struggle to
work effectively on birds as their movement is fast and skittish. Given this, you should
try switching over to manual focus.
5. The birds come first!
Never jeopardise a bird's well being for the sake of a photograph. Although garden birds
may be familiar to us, generally they are extremely camera shy and for much of the year
it is difficult enough just getting straight portraits of them.
6. Establish a feeding routine
Offering food can provide photo opportunities and at the same time the birds will benefit.
For authentic looking shots, provide convenient perches in the form of twigs close to the
feeding device. Birds will have a more natural, wild look when shown on a twig rather
than hanging onto a seed feeder.
7. Open a public bath
All birds need water every day, both for drinking and for their ablutions. A birdbath, set
up in a quiet corner of your garden can produce opportunities for action shots of birds
splashing in the water or preening nearby.
8. Be prepared to wait
Always exercise patience with your garden birds. When your subject comes into the
viewfinder for the first time, don't trip the shutter straight away. Let it come and go a few
times and allow it to relax into normal behaviour before you start taking pictures.
9. Stay out of sight
Birds are nervous creatures, so you won't be able to get good pictures if you simply walk
into your garden with a camera. As a starting point, try shooting from indoors. It's best
not to shoot through a window, but try closing the curtains and poking your lens through.
It's a good idea to have your camera on a tripod - your arms will soon get tired otherwise.
A better option is to hide yourself out in your garden and for this you'll need to construct
a hide.