Summer « 360Photography

RSS

Posts Tagged ‘Summer’

10 Summer Landscape Photography Tips (+ Examples)

11 Jul

The post 10 Summer Landscape Photography Tips (+ Examples) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

Summer is a welcome period for landscape photography, as it offers fully-leafed vegetation, the prospect of warm, sunny days, fields carpeted with flowers, and the opportunity to capture dramatic images of our natural environment.

But how can you create beautiful summer landscape photos? That’s what this article is all about; in it, you’ll find plenty of tips, tricks, and secrets for amazing results.

So whether you’re new to landscape photography and are looking to do some fun summer shooting, or you’re an enthusiast aiming to improve your images, here are some tips and ideas to help you on your way!

1. Start with an idea or a theme

To capture successful images of summer, start by thinking about the types of themes and subjects you want to photograph. Ask yourself: What subjects interest me most?

Of course, what you shoot largely depends on what is around you; for example, in the UK, summer is a brilliant time to see wildflowers in bloom. There is always an explosion of reds and pinks, as fields are often carpeted in poppies. There are also bursts of purple as lavender fields flourish, and this can also make great subjects for summer landscape photography.

Summer also provides a great opportunity to capture fully leafed vegetation such as trees and hedgerows, as well as gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, plenty of joy, and beautifully dramatic weather.

2. Think both wide and abstract

Water – such as lakes, rivers, and streams – as well as dramatic weather, make great subjects for wide-angle summer landscape photography.

But in addition to capturing the sweeping vistas of gorgeous landscape scenes, don’t forget to look for the finer details. You may find stunning gems, such as insects or animals hidden in the landscape, or intimate aspects of wider scene, such as individual flowers emerging from the soil.

beautiful reflection of mountains and trees

3. Don’t forget to location scout, if possible

A great way to identify good places to shoot? Do some location scouting!

Of course, you may already know places in your local area that are great for photography, but make sure to look at them with a photographer’s eye; consider where the sun will be at different times of the day, how the location will be affected by the weather, etc.

In addition to relying on locations you already know, do some research. You can simply walk around and explore – you never know when you’ll stumble across a great scene! – or you can do a bit of Googling. Look for places other photographers have shot, recommendations from locals, and lists of the best landscape photography spots near you.

Then, the next time you’re ready to head out with you’re camera, you know exactly where to go.

field of poppies with mountains in the background

4. Check the weather (in advance)

When undertaking summer landscape photography, be sure to always check the weather conditions before heading out. Although the weather can be more stable in summer, there are often periods of heavy rain and dramatic conditions that can severely impact the outcome of your images.

Aim to shoot on the days when the weather suits what you would like to achieve. For example, if bright landscapes are your preferred shooting subject, go out on sunny days. Alternatively, if dark, brooding skies or rain is your thing, then look for overcast, gloomy, stormy days to capture the shots you’re after.

5. Consider the time of day

Days are longest and nights are shortest during the summer, with the day length decreasing after the summer solstice. There is therefore a longer period between first and last light compared with the spring or autumn.

Consequently, the sun will stay higher for longer during the summer, which means you will have more daylight time to do summer landscape photography. On the other hand, it makes night photography difficult, plus it pushes the golden hours (see the next tip!) into the early morning and late evening.

So make sure you always think about the changing light before heading out, and always check a sunrise and sunset calendar; that way, you can maximize your shooting time and get the type of shots you’re after.

6. Shoot when the light is best

Consider the light you like best for summer landscape photography. Do you prefer harsh light? Soft light? Dramatic light? Make sure you get out to shoot when the light fits your interests.

Generally speaking, the best light is at the start and end of the day – because as the sun rises and sets, the light offers golden hues and magical contrast. The vibrant colors at this time are amazing for summer landscape photography, so aim to set your alarm early and stay out late to maximize the best of the summer light.

seaside cliffs and rocks in summer landscape photography

In contrast, the light at midday is usually a lot harsher, especially when you have direct sunlight. So make sure to take this into consideration when photographing the landscape.

If you are out doing summer landscape photography in the middle of the day, be aware that the midday heat brings haze, which can make images look flat. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s important to be aware of the effect so you can use it – or avoid it – in your photos.

7. Make the most out of the conditions

Often, you have limited time at your chosen location to do summer landscape photography, so make sure you get the most out of the conditions you are presented with. Whether you’re dealing with rain or bright sunlight, you’ll have ample opportunities to capture the landscape at its best.

For instance, you can use overcast skies and rain to your advantage. There are still subjects that you can photograph; woodlands are great areas to shoot under cloudy skies, as are waterfalls. The rain can increase waterfall fullness, and both waterfalls and woodlands tend to look more photogenic in overcast light.

8. Use leading lines

One thing you can utilize in your landscape images during summer is leading lines. It’s a pretty popular technique because they’re a great way to lead the viewer’s eye into the frame.

In summer, there are specific things you can find in the landscape that you can use to lead the eye, such as roads, walkways, hedgerows, lines of flowers and vegetation, coastal paths, and trees.

9. Keep your gear protected

If you like to capture dramatic weather, make sure you keep your camera protected at all times. Always bring a rain cover and look to capture your summer landscape images in the period just after a storm has passed. You may even get lucky and see a rainbow.

10. Select your settings carefully

I am often asked about the best camera settings for summer landscape photography, but in truth, it really depends on what you are trying to achieve and what you want to emphasize in your scene.

As a general rule, an aperture of around f/8 to f/16 will help create more depth in an image and keep your entire scene sharp. If you want to keep parts of the frame out of focus, an aperture of, say, f/4-f/5.6 is the way to go. And a low ISO will give a sharper image (such as ISO 100-400).

As for the shutter speed: If you’re shooting handheld, stick to 1/50s or above. Of course, a sturdy tripod will let you go much lower, and you can create all sorts of interesting artistic effects, such as motion blur in waterfalls.

vibrant green trees and hills summer landscape photography

Summer landscape photography tips: final words

Although the high sun can be harsh during the summer, wildflowers such as poppies and lavender can bring color and freshness, plus you have other subjects such as hedges, trees, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and woodlands to add interest to your scenes.

It’s important to remember that landscape shooting should be enjoyed, so have fun with your summer landscape photography and appreciate being out in nature.

With these tips in mind, go and explore the landscape near you. See what you can capture!

Now over to you:

Do you have any tips for beautiful summer landscape photos? Do you have any summer images you’re proud of? Share your thoughts and photos in the comments below!

The post 10 Summer Landscape Photography Tips (+ Examples) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

Nikon to Announce the Zfc, a Retro Mirrorless Camera, This Summer

18 Jun

The post Nikon to Announce the Zfc, a Retro Mirrorless Camera, This Summer appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Nikon to announce the retro mirrorless Zfc

For months, we’ve had hints of a second Nikon Z-mount APS-C camera, frequently dubbed the “Z30” – and according to Nikon Rumors, that camera “is real and will be announced soon.”

But it will not be a standard, entry-level APS-C camera to match the Nikon Z50 or the Nikon D3500. Instead, the new Nikon mirrorless model, now referred to as the “Nikon Zfc,” will be a retro-style camera reminiscent of 20th-century film bodies as well as Nikon’s only retro DSLR, the Df:

Nikon Zfc rumors Df image — The Nikon Df is a retro-style DSLR and likely bears a resemblance to the upcoming Nikon Zfc.

Here’s what you can expect in terms of design, based on Nikon Rumors reporting:

Mechanical dials (likely for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation)
A fully-articulating screen
A “very thin camera body without a handgrip” and a “Nikon Df-inspired design”
“Shape and handling similar to old Nikon FM cameras”

Of course, any mirrorless model from Nikon will undoubtedly pack Nikon’s latest and greatest technology, from Eye AF and fast continuous shooting speeds to a powerful electronic viewfinder and an articulating touchscreen. And Nikon Rumors does claim the Zfc will offer capabilities similar to that of the Z50, a robust but well-priced APS-C camera featuring a respectable 21 MP sensor and an 11 frames-per-second burst mode.

But as film (and Fujifilm) shooters know, the photography experience on a retro-style body is wildly different from what you get on a standard DSLR or mirrorless camera. I’m a big fan of film-inspired designs, myself – the dials force you to slow down and really appreciate your settings, plus they make everything feel more real. And with the Zfc, you’ll get the best of both worlds: the tactile, mechanical ergonomics of a film camera, combined with the impressive speed and efficiency of a 2021 mirrorless camera.

While the Zfc is still only a rumored camera, and while the announcement and release date are technically unknown, Nikon Rumors is pushing a June 28th announcement date and expects the camera to begin shipping on July 31st.

The older Nikon Z50 currently sells for around $ 850 USD, body only, or $ 900 USD with a basic kit lens, and you can expect a slightly higher price for the Nikon Zfc; Nikon Rumors claims $ 999 USD (with a kit lens included).

So keep an eye out for the Nikon Zfc announcement later this month, especially if you like the sound of a reasonably priced, retro-style camera that can use Nikon Z lenses!

Now over to you:

Are you excited by the prospect of a retro-style camera from Nikon? Or would you have preferred a standard entry-level mirrorless camera? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Nikon to Announce the Zfc, a Retro Mirrorless Camera, This Summer appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

Exclusive: Sony confirms a7S II successor this summer – “Everything is new”

30 Jun

Kenji Tanaka, VP and Senior General Manager of Sony’s Business Unit 1, Digital Imaging Group. Pictured at the 2019 CP+ show in Yokohama, Japan.

With the photo industry still mostly hunkered down, and offices temporarily closed all over the world, ‘business as usual’ is still a distant dream. But we’re not in stasis – cameras and lenses are still being released, and plans are still being put in place for future product development. Recently we spoke to Kenji Tanaka of Sony, on video chat (with a little help from his ZV1) about the impact of COVID-19 on his business, the growing market for video and – yes – the successor to the a7S II.

The following interview has been edited lightly for clarity and flow.

What impact has COVID-19 had on your operations worldwide?

It has definitely had an impact on production, and on procurement of supplies. But we’re working with all of our suppliers to minimize this. We have two manufacturing bases though – China and Thailand, which helps, and most of the supply and logistics issues have now been resolved. Operations at our factories have resumed.

What do you think the effect of the pandemic will be on the photo industry as a whole?

I think there will be very little long-term impact on production and logistics, but demand [for cameras] has been decreasing. The entire world is affected by COVID-19. However there are a lot of positive signs. For example in China, sales at June 18 shopping gala were higher than last year. We experienced strong demand for our premium lines, like the Alpha 7 Mark III and Alpha 7R Mark IV. So China is getting better, but in other areas the situation is different, obviously. Demand in the market is starting to recover in most regions though, and I’m not worried about demand [for our products] in the long-term.

Where do you see Sony’s biggest opportunities in today’s market?

Video is a big opportunity, and full-frame. In China especially, the full-frame mirrorless market is growing. We’re also going to continue to expand our lens lineup to meet the needs of professionals around the world. Those are our biggest opportunities, I think. Full-frame mirrorless and video. Demand for video is now growing in every region of the world.

The Sony ZV-1 (left) is one of a new generation of cameras intended to appeal to vloggers and video content creators, alongside the likes of the Canon PowerShot G7 X (right) and the new Panasonic Lumix G100.

You released the ZV-1 in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis – how important is the vlogging and live-streaming market to Sony?

The content creator market is expanding rapidly, and the ZV1 was purpose-built to meet the needs of video creators at all skill levels. With the impact of COVID-19, a lot of people want to record their experiences with video. Demand for this kind of product is increasing, and with the ZV-1 we had an opportunity to meet this need. A lot of people will also enjoy the ZV-1 as a webcam when connecting it to a PC via USB. We will deliver a new Desktop application in July to enable this.

I can confirm that a successor to the Alpha 7S II will be coming, later this summer

Will the Alpha 7S Mark II be replaced, or has the ‘S’ line been superseded by the a7 III and a7R IV?

We’ve received many requests, especially from professional video content creators, and I can confirm that a successor to the Alpha 7S II will be coming, later this summer. Right now we’re focused on the launch of the new camera, and it will be a complete redesign of the whole system, including the image sensor. Everything is new. We hope it will meet and exceed the expectations and requests of our customers. I’m very confident that our new model will meet their demands.

The ‘S’ originally stood for ‘sensitivity’ but now I think it should stand for ‘supreme’ in terms of image quality, and expression. It comes from having really big pixels. I think that many professionals and high-end users will enjoy the new camera.

What were the major requests from a7S II users?

Mainly things like 4K/60p, 10-bit 4:2:2… really what you’d expect.

We’re seeing Raw video being added to more and more consumer cameras – do you think there’s a need for it?

We’re aware that there is a certain amount of demand for Raw video. As you know, our customers include a lot of professionals, so we’re working hard to be able to deliver Raw data capture to these people.

Mr. Tanaka confirms that the long wait for an a7S II successor is almost over – just don’t call it a Mark III (yet).

What can Sony offer professionals right now that your competitors can’t?

Technology and innovation. These are our strengths, and that’s what we want to deliver. We have strong in-house technologies. We have very advanced technology for both stills and movies. I am proud of the speed, the performance and the richness of the images [from our products] in various conditions. And also portability of the system.

We’re continuing to evolve, to bring the performance of our products to a new level. We’re really not developing products in an attempt to compete with other manufacturers. We want to satisfy consumers, and surprise them – and create a ‘wow!’ reaction.

Can we expect to see Stacked CMOS sensor technology make its way into more Sony cameras in future?

Of course, it’s a unique, cutting-edge technology, and we want to make maximum use of these kinds of technologies.

How will your autofocus technologies evolve in future?

Increased detection speed and accuracy are what’s being demanded by our users, including professionals. And with demand for video booming, autofocus in movie shooting is very important. Right now we’re dedicated to developing autofocus technology further and further.

How will AI influence future products?

Right now we’re further developing Eye-AF, and we’ve added other detection technologies, like Animal Eye-detection. Object recognition using AI is very, very important for the future.

What do you think will be the next major technological leap, in the camera industry?

We’re very invested in AI technology, as I mentioned, but photography and videography need lenses, and the autofocus actuator in lenses is very important. For video, for example, if the actuator doesn’t work, doesn’t move quickly enough, that’s a problem, and if it makes noise, that affects the quality of the footage. So this is something we’re also investing in a lot, as we’re planning for the future.

In ten, twenty, fifty years I expect that computational photography will be doing a lot of things that traditional lenses do now

With computational photography technologies becoming more advanced, do you think that lenses of the future will look like the lenses of today?

I’m very positive about computational photography technologies, but glass has a lot of advantages. In ten, twenty, fifty years I expect that computational photography will be doing a lot of things that traditional lenses do now. But in the near future – five years, say – glass will still be superior.

In some devices, like smartphones or cameras designed to be easy to use, computational photography could be very useful. But if you want to create a masterpiece, or commercial work, real glass is better. And glass can evolve, a lot. For example with our lenses, some of them are very small but the quality is high. There’s a lot of technology inside our lenses. We’ll continue to innovate with our lens technologies.

Do you think in the future that smartphones will start to work more like cameras, or cameras will start to work more like smartphones?

Nobody knows that! But I think it’s good to have options, and choices.

Editors’ Note: Barnaby Britton

It’s always nice to speak to an optimist, especially these days. With predictions of doom and gloom from almost all corners, Mr. Tanaka strikes a rare note of positivity. The situation is improving, sales are recovering and demand looks solid in the medium term. For Sony, at least.

The wider long-term impact of the global pandemic remains to be seen, but despite the challenging environment, Mr. Tanaka is confident that Sony has what it takes to thrive as a camera and lens manufacturer. The reasons for his confidence are simple: Sony has a lot of very advanced technology, and has shown a proven willingness to innovate with it.

The biggest news to come out of this interview is confirmation (following some heavy hints) that after a long wait, an Alpha 7S Mark II successor is coming – and coming quite soon. Mr. Tanaka didn’t give away many details (it remains to be seen even if it will be called a ‘Mark III’) but reading between the lines, we’re excited.

Everything from Mr. Tanaka’s description of features like 4K/60p, and 10-bit 4:2:2 recording as merely “what you’d expect” to his mention of wanting to create a “wow!” reaction suggests that Sony intends to pull out all of the stops. Whether or not the camera will offer Raw video capture is uncertain, but given Mr. Tanaka’s remark that Sony is “working hard to be able to deliver Raw data capture to [professionals]” I wouldn’t bet against it.

Assuming that the a7S Mark II’s successor will represent the company’s best efforts, I’m sure that a lot of video pros will consider that it was worth the wait.

According to Mr. Tanaka, Sony sees video as a crucial opportunity for growth in the future, alongside the development of artificial intelligence and computational imaging technologies. Assuming (as seems reasonable) that the a7S Mark II’s successor will represent the company’s best efforts in all three areas, I’m sure that a lot of video pros will consider that it was worth the wait. Meanwhile, with demand for video products increasing globally, products like the new ZV1 are aimed at entry-level videographers and content creators who just want a small, simple and effective tool for personal expression. Or for Zoom calls.

Other exciting hints included the possibility of further optical development – both in terms of traditional lenses and computational approaches. Interesting times ahead, then – certainly worthy of some cautious optimism, I think!

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

The Sigma fp will get new features, functionality in major 2.0 firmware update due out ‘Summer 2020’

03 Mar

Sigma has announced it will be publishing a major firmware update for the Sigma fp in ‘Summer 2020’ that will bring along a number of new features and functionality.

According to the announcement, the update will add CinemaDNG 120/100 fps (FHD 8-bit) shooting, cinemagraph functionality, still capture during live view and movie shooting in Cine mode, HDR shooting, a Director’s Viewfinder recording function and Sigma’s software development kit (SDK), which should open up a realm of possibilities for developers to access certain functions of the camera.

In the meantime, Sigma says it’s also developing firmware version 1.02 (the latest firmware currently available for the Sigma fp is version 1.01), which will correct card errors when using specific SD cards and adds in-camera lens aberration correction processing. Firmware version 1.02 will be released on March 18, 2020, according to Sigma.

The current version 1.01 firmware and future firmware releases can be downloaded from the Sigma fp support page.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

DJI Spark 2 drone will not be released this summer as rumored

21 Jun

It has been almost a year since DJI introduced a new drone aimed at consumers. The Mavic 2 Pro and Zoom models were announced on July 18th of last year. With rumors swirling that the planned Phantom 5 line was canceled, while most of the Phantom 4 series has remained sold out for the past six months, it was expected that the world’s top drone manufacturer would release an update to one of its popular models in the near future.

DroneDJ recently reported that a Spark 2 drone was slated for release this summer. The original Spark was released April 15, 2017, making an upgrade long overdue. The spark is even smaller in size than the Mavic series. It’s an ideal accessory for vacations and family events which is why the July release made perfect sense. The online publication got some bad news this past Tuesday.

‘We have received word that the Spark 2 launch that was scheduled for July 23rd has been postponed indefinitely. An industry insider told us that DJI sent out a memo last week stating: “due to a shift in priorities the July 23 event is now on hold until further notice.” Unfortunately, no information was provided explaining the postponement nor was a new date announced.’

‘An industry insider told us that DJI sent out a memo last week stating: “due to a shift in priorities the July 23 event is now on hold until further notice.” Unfortunately, no information was provided explaining the postponement nor was a new date announced.’

Here are some of the specs and upgrades DroneDJ author Haye Kesteloo expected from the DJI Spark 2:

4K video at 30fps
Increased video bitrate
An improved 3-axis gimbal
ActiveTrack 2.0
2x digital zoom
An increased flight time of 18 minutes versus 16 minutes for the original Spark
New battery design that is not compatible with the original model
Same official range but with a new antenna design and a new remote controller featuring improved tech for a better connection. OcuSync 2.0 will likely not be included
Two exterior colors: black and white
A new panorama mode

DJI recently released the Robomaster S1, a ground-based robot aimed at educators and students interested in Science, Technology, Education, and Mathematics (STEM). This latest cancellation of the Spark 2 has insiders and enthusiasts, alike, wondering when they plan on shipping a new-and-improved drone.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Kodak Alaris to release Ektachrome 120 and sheet film this summer

29 Jan

Kodak Alaris has revealed plans to ship its revived Ektachrome product in 120 format and sheet film variants later this year. The revelation was made by Kodak Alaris UK Quality Manager Andy Church on the Sunny 16 podcast last week (approx. 16 minute mark), during which he stated that the new products may launch in around three months, depending on production.

Kodak began shipping its new Ektachrome E100 film product globally in September 2018, followed by the Ektachrome 7294 Reversal Film in Super 8 format in October. The company previously indicated it would likely launch the E100 product in 120 format and sheet sizes, something it is now actively working on due to the 35mm product’s success.

The company must deal with some ‘technical hurdles,’ according to Thomas J. Mooney, Kodak Alaris’s film capture business manager who spoke with Kosmo Foto. According to Mooney, ‘Based on the very favourable response to our 135 format launch of Ektachrome E100, we recognise there is definitely a market need/demand for these additional formats, and activity is now underway.’

Church breaks down the technical issue during the podcast, stating the 120 format and sheet film require ‘slight adjustments’ to the formula. The company has ‘started having some pilot coatings and as things progress we’re going towards a more production-scale coating,’ Church explained.

Assuming everything proceeds smoothly, Church estimated the products may arrive in around three months, while Mooney provided ‘mid-summer’ as the company’s estimation.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Summer in 360: Exploring Seattle with the GoPro Fusion

19 Sep

The GoPro Fusion is a small, tough camera designed to make it easy to capture 360-degree video and stills with minimal editing. We took the Fusion out recently on a typically hot Seattle summer day to see what it can do.

Joining DPReview’s Carey Rose was adventure photographer Aly Nicklas on a day that took in everything from a hottub boat to Seattle’s famous ‘gum wall’.

This is sponsored content, created with the support of Amazon and GoPro. What does this mean?

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

Comments Off

Posted in Uncategorized

Amusement Parks to go to This Summer months months months

26 Jun

As summertime time approaches, quite a few vacationers pack up and head to a amount of of North America’s most well-known amusement parks. When hordes of thrill seekers head in to the domestic staples like Disney and Cedar Trouble, many of America’s best subject issue parks deliver different hours of spouse and youngsters entertaining with distinctive touches you will not routines within the mega-parks. Tourists in search of to improve up the Disney routine undoubtedly have to study out the subsequent amusement parks home page.

Indiana Seaside entrance front, Monticello, Indiana

Indiana Seaside entrance has every thing you can want along with the strategy park, which include things like thrilling rides also a h2o park, with distinct touches together with lake-front cabins and cottages, a boardwalk, in addition being a whole golfing schooling education class. In essence by far the most worthwhile portion is generally that Indiana beach is refreshingly affordable.

Knoebels, Elysburg, PA

Knoebels payments by alone as conventional subject matter make any difference park, showcasing free of charge of demand admission and fairly priced journey price ranges. This Pennsylvania strategy park has rides which will go on to help keep the many family and friends shoppers joyful, furthermore the park is harmless ample to permit additional mature tiny styles operate wild freely.

Storyland, Glen, New Hampshire

Nestled in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, Storyland will be the quintessential spouse or partner and youngsters amusement park. You’ll find much more than numerous sights for youthful youngsters, and almost all rides make certain it truly is feasible for additional mature individuals right now and kids to journey, so homes could potentially get satisfaction from jointly. Not similar to a large amount of overpriced matter parks, Storyland’s meals items and souvenirs are within your means.

The post Amusement Parks to go to This Summer months months months appeared first on Photonovice.

Photonovice

Comments Off

Posted in Equipment

6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography

13 Jun

For many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, it is finally here – sunshine – the time of year most synonymous with new beginnings, transition and growth all thanks to the powerful rays of the sun. After months of dark dreary weather and perhaps a mood that matches staying indoors, we are finally ready to shed those winter blues and head outside with our gear. So in the spirit of getting you out of the house and into the outdoors, here are a few tips to help you do summer photography and revel in all its glory!

6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography - purple flowers

#1 No more excuses period!

Shake off that hibernation mentality and get yourself out the door. Often times, some of the first signs of spring can be spotted right outside your front door so you maybe don’t need to go far. Or better yet, take a walk around your neighborhood and start noticing the transition as spring works its way into summer.

It is amazing how leaves, color, and budding florals can make an old place feel like new again.

white flowers - 6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography

#2 Seasons and change can be a good thing

I know the whole time change thing that happens here in the US is debatable to many. But personally, I wait for spring forward. Yes, I lose an extra hour of sleep but it also means that the days start getting longer and that magical golden light at the end of the day is more within my reach.

With each and every day that passes, we are given more daylight, which provides greater opportunity to grab that camera and capture the golden hues. So head to a nearby park or even an open prairie and take in the whole scene. Use your wide angle lens to capture the big picture in your summer photography.

Karthika Gupta Photography - Memorable Jaunts DPS Article 6 ways to photograph spring-7

patio - 6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography

#3 Embrace pattern play

As you’re taking in your surroundings, notice unique patterns and textures that are created by plants, water, and trees. Summer has this amazing ability to make everything colorful, so go ahead and use all that color to add a little punch to your photos.

Color, patterns, and textures add so much more interest in photos so use that to your advantage.

plants on shelves - 6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography

flower in the garden - 6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography

#4 The light and shadow dance

Mother nature really is a wonder. As winter changed into spring, the whole world seems to get lighter and transition into a new phase. You can almost sense that change in the air again.

The quality of light also changes and with that the play of light and shadows is quite spectacular. Use this time as an opportunity to experiment with light and shadows and use these elements to create drama and interest using different subjects.

peony - 6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography

#5 Capture those blooms

When the flowers and trees start blooming all around us it really feels like a breath of fresh air. Capture those blooms and see how vibrant they make everything else appear. Look for a neutral background like white siding or pastel walls to bring highlight to the florals.

Karthika Gupta Photography - Memorable Jaunts DPS Article-8

#6 Work around the weather

Rain showers and sunshine seem to go hand-in-hand with summer. I suggest you embrace all of Mother Nature’s tantrums and photograph around it. Use that rain cover to step out into the rain to photograph the scene. If you don’t have a rain cover for your gear, maybe stay indoors and photograph the outside from your window. Or even get in the car, go for a drive and photograph from the comfort of your car!

Notice how rain changes the light completely and embrace that softness for a very different look to a normally sunny scene.

I hope these tips help get you in the mood to pick up that camera more often and get back into the swing of photography if you have been suffering from the winter blues.

The post 6 Quick Tips for Doing Summer Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography

Tips for Doing a Summer Project 92 to Get You Out Shooting

22 May

You’ve heard of the fabled Project 365, right? A photo a day for a year. We’ve even posted theme ideas here on dPS for those interested in a long-term project. But what about if you know that you aren’t going to make it all year, especially when the weather turns ugly and you love shooting outdoors? Enter, the Summer Project92.

What is it?

The idea is the same as the Project 365 but with a larger emphasis on getting outside and exploring your world with a camera. Keeping this project short and simple will hopefully encourage you to pick up that dusty camera and head outside. Smartphone, drone, underwater…it doesn’t matter the type of camera you are using, the point is to use it!

If you sometimes get stuck when looking for subjects, I have a list of weekly themes that should help give you some motivation. There are 13 weeks and one day to summer with the first day being June 21. So I’m going to follow the sun on this one and make all weeks start on a Thursday, just to mix it up.

Some Ideas

Week 1 – June 21st – Blooming – There are tons of flowers out there, just begging for a portrait.
Week 2 – June 28th – Endless Sunshine – I know it seems like the days last forever, but they are actually getting shorter, so get out there and shoot how it feels.
Week 3 – July 5th – It’s the Small Things – Time to get up close and personal with the little things that make nature and summer unique.
Week 4 – July 12th – Daydreams – Most of us don’t get the entire summer off work, but that shouldn’t stop you from daydreaming.
Week 5 – July 19th – Sunsets – A whole week of sunsets? Why not! You can throw in some sunrises too if you like.
Week 6 – July 26th – Patterns – Look for the repetitions in life.

Week 7 – August 2nd – Playfulness – Get playful with your shots, either of people and/or animals at play or create a playful scene.
Week 8 – August 9th – Heat – Oh my, is it ever hot out there!
Week 9 – August 16th – Bring on the Night – Yes, a whole week of night photography! It’s a good way to avoid the heat sometimes.
Week 10 – August 23rd – Summers of the Past – This is a chance to dig up some memories and archive those prints from your past. Find seven favorite photos from summers of the past and share them digitally.
Week 11 – August 30th – Roadtrip – All things cars or camping or hotels/motels or the open road.
Week 12 – September 6th – Family and Friends – What’s summer without good people around you to enjoy it with?
Week 13 – September 13th – Foods of Summer – Plan ahead as you might want to shoot this one on food as the summer progresses (yes, I allow that kind of cheating in my photo projects).
That Extra Day – September 20th – Transitions – All good things come to an end unless you are already thinking about doing a fall project?

If you don’t want to follow the schedule above, that’s just fine. There are no hard and fast rules about what to shoot and when. Although might I suggest that if you post your photos on social media, that you use the hashtag #SummerProject92? That way those of us who want to feel inspired (me!) will be able to find and comment on your work more easily.

Results

A blog, Tumblr, Instagram…the format doesn’t matter. What matters is to get out there and start shooting and sharing. And enjoy your summer! Psst, might I suggest posting some results in the dPS Facebook Group?

Forgive me for those of you in the Southern Hemisphere as I realize you are about to head into winter. You can start a #WinterProject92 and we’ll catch up with you in about six months.

The post Tips for Doing a Summer Project 92 to Get You Out Shooting appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

Comments Off

Posted in Photography