Posts from — August 2007
Tips on Taking better Sunset / Sunrise photos
I like the song ”Watching Sunrise with you” by Joi Chua. Instead of just watching, how about taking some photos of sunset/sunrise? Here are some tips or common sense observations on better sunrise/sunset photo taking.
- Be there. Obviously you need to wake up early enough for sunrise and stay late enough for sunset. This is a non-negotiable condition.
- Use a tripod. Unless you enjoyed taking purposely blurred or out of focus photos, this is also non negotiable. With exposure time of more than a few seconds, any lens or camera with IS (image stabilizing) does not help. We also do not want to increase ISO or open up aperture to reduce the exposure time because that wont give you the saturated colors you see during sunset.
- Check out the location. Check out the location before it get too dark. Pick one or 2 locations.
- Foreground and Background. A sunset photo that has just the sky, sun and sea doesn’t tell you a lot. Have some rocks, buildings or humans in the foreground or background. Usually they will be just silhouette so compose wisely or else they will be merge into an area of black.
- Use of filters. Gradual filters are used to balance the exposure timing between the foreground and the background. Cokin filters P121 series are good enough for me. Photoshop maybe not help if your photo are overexposed or underexposed to no details (all white, all black).
- Go more than once. Nature forces are beyond our control. Go back to the same place at another time.
- Staying longer than you should. Do not pack up too early especially for sunset. Sometimes the color and cloud formations changed beautifully after the sun has set.
- Look behind you. When the sun is rising or setting , it casts a beautiful warm tone light on all objects. Shadows will be long too. So look around too.
Make any sense to you? Let me know.
August 31, 2007 No Comments
8 ways to improve your photography
8 ways to improve your photography
One computer guru once said “Experts are once idiots.” and he related this true tale :
One not-so-guru technical person, Mr B spent 3 days trying to solve a problem on a hard drive. The problem was driving him nuts and he had no choice but to seek advice from a REAL GURU. The real guru shook the drive and heard the noise it made. He advised MR B to change 2 screws on the drive. Mr B did so and true enough the hard drive works!Mr B was really impressed and said the real guru ” How did you do it? I spend 3 days trying all ways and means but couldn’t solve the problem. You just shook it and knew where was the fault”
The real guru replied “Oh!.. Cos i spent 2 weeks before i managed to solve the exact problem that you are facing.”
Okie i am no guru or expert but here is just some tips to share. may you become a real photography guru soon!
1) Shoot more at the right time
Since photography is painting with light, shoot more during the time where light is good. Typically light from 7am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm is good. Of course we have the sunrise and sunset timing. These are the tim where the light is warm creating a golden brown tone in your photos. Go shooting more often during these time slots and rest during the 11pm to 3pm timing where light is strong and harsh.
2) Make every shot count
I know many of us shoot digital these days. But if you always think “shoot now can delete later”, then you would be forever deleting pictures. Slow down your shooting speed, do not abuse the shutter button. Think before you press the shutter button. Would you be deleting the picture later?
If you need to take more photos of the same scene, then vary the angle, the aperture in a meaningful way.
3) Learn the rules, follow the rules, break the rules
As a novice, you pick up simple composition rules such as rule of thirds etc. next we should follow the rules and use them in our composition. As you progress, such rules should no longer bind you. Feel free to break the rules.
4) Get nearer to the subject
Try filling the whole frame with your subject especially if it is a human. This not remove distracting background but also allow you to know your subject better.The best way to get nearer is to use your legs and walk. Yes, some people may turn away if they spot you but very often they are willing to be photographed.
5) Know your equipment
Understand the functions and limitations of your camera. Learn to use the Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and the macro modes if you camera has them. As for limitations, understand what your camera can’t do and don’t attempt to do it. Eg shooting that little bird on the tree. The temptation to get new equipment is always there but do a self check.
6) Expand your knowledge
As a novice ,attend a photography course to jumpstart your photography skills and also to get to know more hobbyists. Let me know if you need a course recommendation. Go to seminars and workshops for more specialized subjects. Read books or internet forum. See what others shoot. All these help to expand your knowledge.
7) Partner your Hobbies
Do you like to travel? Are you a collector? Do you dive? Then do travel photography, product photography , underwater photography! Not only it give you more opportunities to shoot but it will also increase your knowledge of your other hobby.
8 ) Find a mentor. Find someone whose works you admired and who is willing to guide you. Let him/her critique your works and accept the critique humbly. In the internet age, posting a few of your selected photo on the better known forums may help too.
August 31, 2007 No Comments
