Fog Photography is an ethereal, atmospheric form of outdoor photography that produces some of the most beautiful photographs. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most difficult to capture. From the wrong exposure to a serious lack of contrast, there are many ways fog photography at night can go wrong. In this post, you’ll learn how to take stunning photographs in Continue Reading
The post How to Take Stunning Photographs in Night Fog appeared first on Photodoto.
The post Easy Skin Smoothing Using the High-Pass Filter in Photoshop appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Adam Welch.
When you think about it, shooting portraits can be extremely tricky. Not because of concerns over lighting or wardrobe or hair or even makeup…although…sheesh. One of the largest issues that portrait photographers can face is how much (or how little) to retouch the, well, let’s call them the “imperfections” of their subject’s skin. The amount of skin smoothing and retouching can vary from subtle smoothing of skin to extreme masking of each and every blemish we all possess to one extent or another.
Fortunately for us, there is an easy way to take full control of how much skin smoothing we apply (and where) when we bring our portrait images into Photoshop. No really, this is incredibly simple and relies on just a few basic features of Photoshop that won’t give your photos that gaudy, “in your face” sort of skin smoothing.
Let me show you.
The engine which will drive our skin smoothing effect is an old stand-by tool found in Photoshop called the “high-pass filter”.
If you’re familiar with processing your images in Photoshop, you’ve likely heard about how powerful the high-pass filter can be for sharpening your photos. There’s a great article here at Digital Photography School which talks about how to use high-pass for easy, effective sharpening.
Sharpening with the high-pass filter
However, in our case, we’re going to use the high-pass filter to essentially work in the opposite way of sharpening, which is to “soften” or smooth the skin of our subject. Moreover, we will use the high-pass filter to accomplish this task easily and with a realistic outcome. Meaning, it won’t make your subject appear to be made from wax – unless you want them to for some reason.
At any rate, here’s how to apply easy skin smoothing in Photoshop using the high-pass filter.
This is the image we will use to demonstrate our skin smoothing technique with the high-pass filter. Incidentally, it’s a portrait of my father.
I wanted to preserve the character of his visage while granting a small amount of skin smoothing to areas of his face.
After you bring your photo into Photoshop, the first thing we will do is duplicate that layer. The easiest way to duplicate the layer is to click on it and use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+J on Windows or Cmd+J for Mac. I’ve renamed the copy just to keep track.
Next, we’ll add the high-pass filter to our newly duplicated layer.
Find the high-pass filter located under the ‘Filter’ tab. Select ‘Other’ and then ‘high-pass’.
It’s here where we must set the radius for the high-pass filter, but don’t get nervous. Generally speaking, the higher the number for the radius, the more intense the smoothing effect will be.
Increase the value until you begin seeing more and more of your image coming through from behind the gray mask of the high-pass.
It’s difficult to give specific numbers here, but a radius of 100 and above is a good starting point.
Click ‘OK’
You might be thinking “ewwwwww”.
You would be correct to recoil, but don’t worry, it’s all about to get better with the next step.
Make sure the newly-filtered layer is selected and then change the blend mode to ‘Overlay.’ You can also experiment with other blend modes (Softlight also works well).
Notice how the photo now appears to be massively sharpened? This is due to the high radius we set for the high-pass filter which we will need for the next phase of the process.
The skin-smoothing magic happens here.
We must invert the adjustments of our high-pass layer. We can easily use the invert layer keyboard shortcut Ctrl+I for Windows or Cmd+I for Mac. Alternatively, select the ‘Image’ tab, then ‘Adjustments’ and finally ‘Invert’.
After the high-pass layer is inverted we can instantly see the effects of the skin smoothing.
This global smoothing effect grants the photo a glowy “pictorialist” feel which might actually work for some photos.
Of course, we’re not finished yet. Now we can freely adjust the opacity of this layer until you have the desired amount of overall smoothing.
You might be happy with the results of the smoothing as-is, which is fine. However, I highly recommend tailoring your skin smoothing effect using a layer mask to achieve the best, most professional-looking outcome.
Adding a layer mask will allow you to add or remove the skin smoothing from the image selectively. Believe me, even if you’re a first time user of Photoshop, working with simple layer masks such as these is incredibly easy. I’m going to approach this next step as if you’ve never used a layer mask before in your life.
First, with the high-pass layer selected, click on the layer mask icon at the bottom of the Layers panel.
This will add a mask to the layer.
Depending on your settings, this mask will manifest as either a white or black square. From here, we’ll select our paintbrush from the toolbar…
…and make sure that our brush is set to the opposite color of whatever our mask might be.
So if our mask is black, make sure the brush is set with white over black or vice versa. This will make the brush remove the skin smoothing effect wherever we paint.
To add the smoothing effect back in, simply switch the brush color to the same color as the mask by clicking the swatch at the bottom of the tool panel.
And here we have our finished portrait.
Details are preserved, and yet, we’ve managed to dial back the clock slightly and even-out some effects of aging, all while keeping the overall impact of the photo intact.
Painting the skin-smoothing effect in or out truly is that easy. Also, remember you can adjust the flow rate and opacity of your paintbrush as you work.
I’m all about saving work, saving time, and saving mouse clicks. Turning your skin smoothing effects into a Photoshop action is not only a great way to save time, but you can also save multiple variations of skin-smoothing effects. Then make them available with just a single click (maybe two).
By creating an action for your skin smoothing, you can easily access different variations. You can have one with lots of opacity, another with very subtle opacity, and multiple blend modes, all without having to go through each individual step every time you want to produce the skin-smoothing effect.
So when you’ve practiced the steps a few times, it’s a good idea to record them as an action for future use.
Here’s a quick walk-through of creating the action for the skin-smoothing effect we used here.
Click on the actions icon to open your Actions Panel if it’s not already visible.
Click on the New Action icon (next to the folder icon) and then name your new action. I’ve gone with the highly creative title “Skin Smoothing 1.” When your ready, click ‘Record.’
Photoshop will now record each step you make in creating the skin smoothing effect, including layer opacity and the layer mask.
Once you’ve finished, click the Stop icon to halt the recording. And, viola, your new action is now nested in the Photoshop Actions panel for quick selection later.
I like to keep my Actions panel in “Button Mode” for easier viewing
IMPORTANT NOTE: It’s important that you stop your action recording prior to painting onto your adjustment mask. For more in-depth information on creating Photoshop actions check out this article by Melinda Smith.
Just as with any sort of digital post-processing, the amount of skin smoothing (and how you go about it) varies tremendously from photographer to photographer and from subject to subject.
Some prefer the visceral realism of seeing every pore and line in the skin, and some like to see porcelain-smooth skin with no signs of aging or blemishes – to each their own.
This is why using the high-pass filter method for skin smoothing is so wonderful. It allows us to tailor our skin-smoothing effect not only to fit the expectations of the client but also to our own style of portraiture.
I hope you enjoyed this quick and easy guide to easy skin smoothing in Photoshop using the high-pass filter. There are many other methods for smoothing and retouching portraits, and we’d love to hear your favorite technique. Let us know in the comments below!
The post Easy Skin Smoothing Using the High-Pass Filter in Photoshop appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Adam Welch.
The post How to Overcome Photo Envy and Become a Better Photographer appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Mat Coker.
You’ve got a goal to become a better photographer. Along the way, you’re going to have to confront your weaknesses. Photo envy is one of the greatest weaknesses a photographer can face because it is a weakness that hurts other people.
If you regularly feel jealous when you see another photographer’s good photos then you probably suffer from photo envy.
Photo envy will make you bitter and pessimistic. When envy takes root, it leaves you feeling inferior and resentful at other people’s success.
I’ll show you how to overcome photo envy so that you can get on with becoming a great photographer.
The one time I forget all about photo envy at a photo session. That’s because my only concern is for my subject.
Admiring another photographer’s work and aspiring to be as good as them is not envy. It’s natural to be captivated and inspired by other people who are better than you.
You’ll know photo envy by its tell-tale effect on your emotions.
The test is simple: if you take an immediate emotional turn for the worst when you see other people’s good photography, then you suffer from photo envy.
You probably first noticed your photo envy while scrolling through social media. A really good photo posted by a friend or another photographer took you by surprise. You felt a terrible sinking feeling in your gut and chest. You’re jealous.
Perhaps you regularly have beaten up by thoughts of inferiority, or even felt hopeless or like crying? You wonder how they can be so skilled, and why they’re getting all the attention. You think, “when will I finally get noticed.” What does it take?
You’ll be tempted to think that simply becoming a better photographer or getting more business is the solution to your photo envy. But it’s not.
Envy is a weakness within yourself and the only way to cure it is to face it directly. And you must overcome photo envy before you become a good photographer.
If you don’t overcome envy before you become a better photographer, you’ll simply become a good photographer with a harmful weakness. You’ll naturally take out your resentment on other photographers, not to mention your friends and family.
Even though I don’t think about photo envy during a session, I know the next time I’m on social media, I’ll see a photographer’s amazing photos and feel envious again. So I employ my regular tactics to defeat photo envy.
You don’t have to be jealous, inferior and resentful forever. Follow this plan, and you will overcome photo envy.
Envy is something that needs to be overcome in the moment. Remember, you’re good at spotting moments as a photographer!
Here is how to overcome photo envy.
The very second you feel envious of somebody’s photography, stop what you’re doing. Stop scrolling, stop clicking and stop thinking about yourself. Now get ready because you’re about to tell the photographer how much you love their photos.
Whether you’re envious of a friend or a competitor, you need to send them a personal message immediately. Do not put it off for later. Simply send them a message letting them know how much you enjoy their photos. After all, the reason you’re envious is that they’re so good.
If you’re not sure what to say then try something like this:
Hi there, I just wanted to tell you how amazing I think your photography is! Your images never fail to wow me. How long have you been into photography?
Overcoming photo envy is that simple.
I know that becoming a more skilled photographer isn’t enough to deal with my photo envy. Becoming a better photographer out of spite isn’t a good game plan.
Why does this method work so well? Because you’re retraining yourself to be a good person. Envy has become automatic when your response should have been admiration and encouragement.
When you tell the person how much you love their photography you will notice the feeling of envy leave your body and good feelings will flow in to replace it. Just wait until they write back and compliment you.
Every time you’re scrolling through Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, etc and you feel envious, send a personal note right away telling them how much you like their photography. Pretty soon you’ll be an encouraging person rather than an envious one.
But you can take all this a step further.
With my photo envy under control, I’m free to pursue my goal of becoming a better photographer. When I go to a session, I have a toolbox of creative elements that I use. I’ve memorized them so I don’t have to overthink it. I can focus on my subject and know that I’ll get home with some good photos.
Telling the person (especially competitors) how much you love their photography is the key to overcome photo envy.
But you can do better than “not be envious.” You can become a generous leader among photographers.
Backlight is one of my favorite creative ingredients.
Let’s think about a locker room for a moment. You likely experienced a locker room or a change room in high school, so you know what a humiliating experience it can be. Inferiority and envy can run wild and then spill out beyond the locker room.
If you follow sports, then you hear about the rivalries in the locker room and how it can bring the whole team down.
But when somebody steps up to lead the locker room in a good direction, everything changes. When somebody is an encourager and a problem solver, then envy and rivalry burn out. If anyone chooses to remain miserable and envious, they quickly lose their place in the locker room, they’re ignored until they’re just gone.
I always look for some interesting gesture in the moment.
Now let’s get back to the world you’re a part of. Would you like to be an important part of your photography community rather than just sitting home and feeling jealous about how everyone else is doing? Then step up and lead the locker room.
Be the encourager in online forums and Facebook groups. Start an in-person group to help new photographers or unite photographers that act like competitors.
I don’t mean that you have to be a traditional leader. You just need to bring order to the chaos. Pump out positive energy and watch it chase envy and rivalry away. A simple compliment from you might be what helps another photographer overcome their photo envy.
By this point, there isn’t a shred of envy left in you. You are happy to see others do well. In fact, you even start making others look good.
Lower angles make everything look more dramatic.
Be a shameless promoter of others. Look for good photographers and share them with the world.
It could be as simple as showcasing them through a guest post on your blog or social media.
But how can you make your competition look good and expect anyone to remember you? You simply have to trust that when you make others look good you will not be forgotten.
Envy can’t touch you when you do this.
Along with backlight and low angles, I love a photograph with texture. This helps your photo to pop.
We’ve almost forgotten about your real goal, which is to become a great photographer. That’s actually the easy part! You figure out what you wish you could do and learn it!
Find an ebook, course, or mentor who can show you. Learn, practice, refine, celebrate.
I used to be jealous of photographers who had beautiful light in their photos. I had no idea how to achieve that look and didn’t know what to do about it. Eventually, I had an opportunity to learn the skills I was surprised to see that there was no magic involved; all I had to do is learn.
When possible, look for a frame within a frame.
You’re on a journey of becoming a better photographer, but pay attention to who you become along the way. Becoming a better photographer will not make you less envious. You can let photo envy take root and bring you down. Or, you can overcome photo envy by being an encouragement to others. Lead the locker room and make a lot of other photographers look good.
Whenever you feel a twinge of jealousy, get in touch with that photographer and tell them how great their photos are. This is how you overcome photo envy.
Do you have any other tips to overcome photo envy? If so, share them with us in the comments!
The post How to Overcome Photo Envy and Become a Better Photographer appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Mat Coker.
The post Want to get off “Auto-Mode”? (Fast and so easy!) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.
Today is the start of our 12 Days of Holiday Deals. Day 1 of dPS Holiday Deals brings you The Photo Fundamentals Guide by Coles Classroom for just $ 4.99!
Save 95% Now!
Frustrated that you still don’t understand all the buttons & settings on your DSLR camera? Sick of wasting time taking sub-par and inconsistent photos? Ready to say good-bye to relying on AUTO-MODE?
After using this you’ll never be confused by your camera again. It’s time to call yourself a “photographer”.
The Photo Fundamentals Guide is THE ULTIMATE step-by-step guidebook that will walk you through exactly what you need to know about your camera – photography – and shooting in manual mode. This ultra-simple 64-page guide covering the most important basic camera topics like Exposure, ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, and more…will help you confidently use your DSLR camera knowing that you’ll be getting sharp, beautiful, professional-looking photos RIGHT AWAY!
Save big and get the guide now for only $ 4.99 (usually $ 99 USD)
Check it out before the next deal arrives in less than 24 hours.
PS – It’s worth checking out the second option for an additional 4 amazing resources worth $ 247 for just $ 19.99! Learn more here.
The post Want to get off “Auto-Mode”? (Fast and so easy!) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.
The post News: The Canon EOS Rs to Have 75 MP Sensor and Dual Card Slots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
Over the past few months, rumors have abounded regarding a “professional” Canon EOS R. But recent news has given us the month of the release, making this new Canon camera more exciting than ever.
As initially reported by Canon Rumors, this Canon mirrorless snapper is about to enter the market, offering a resolution far beyond anything previously offered by Canon.
The Canon EOS Rs (as the folks at Canon Rumors are calling it) will apparently be announced in February of next year, presumably around the same time as the Canon 1D X Mark III and the Nikon D6, though it’ll be aimed at a completely different audience.
So what should we expect from Canon’s pro-level mirrorless model?
The EOS Rs will have plenty of the features you’d expect based on the EOS R, but better:
But the Canon EOS Rs is also rumored to possess a few traits that should pique the interest of quite a few professional photographers:
The dual card slots are somewhat expected, given the slew of complaints that Canon received regarding the lack of dual slots on the EOS R. But a 75 MP sensor is groundbreaking for a 35mm camera, offering a higher pixel count than either the Canon 5DS and 5DSR duo or the Sony A7R IV. It would be, in fact, the highest-resolution 35mm digital camera currently available.
Now, a camera like the EOS Rs is designed with professional photographers in mind. The huge megapixel count is required by, for instance, commercial photographers, as well as those looking to make giant landscape prints.
But while megapixel monsters are undoubtedly powerful, they come with some downsides.
The first is the price; the Canon 5DS debuted at around $ 3700 USD, and I don’t expect Canon to knock many dollars off the EOS Rs MSRP.
The second is file size. The RAW files produced by a 75 MP camera will be huge, which makes storage (both in memory cards and on computers) potentially frustrating.
And third, higher megapixel counts result in smaller pixels. This hurts high ISO performance on even the most professional of cameras, which is one of the reasons why megapixel monsters are often outperformed by other full-frame cameras in low-light scenarios, especially when images are compared at native resolutions.
What do you think about the Canon EOS Rs? Is it something you’d be interested in? What would you like to see in it?
Let me know in the comments!
The post News: The Canon EOS Rs to Have 75 MP Sensor and Dual Card Slots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.
The post dPS 12 Days of Holiday Deals: Save up to 95% on Some Great Photography Training and Tools appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.
In 24 hours the first of our 12 Days of Holiday Deals begins!
This is when you’ll score HUGE savings on our most popular products and MASSIVE discounts with some very special dPS partners so that you have the best resources to reach your photography goals for 2020.
It works just as you’d expect. Over 12 days, we’ll announce a brand new deal every 24 hours.
To get notified of each deal just add your email address below.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//forms.aweber.com/form/40/889380340.js”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, “script”, “aweber-wjs-aaln1h62r”));
Each day you’ll receive an email from us with a special offer from us or a partner.
Many of our deals are offering 50% to 95% off the normal price.
We’ll also share the deals on our Facebook page, but the best way (so you don’t miss a thing), is to sign up for the emails above.
On signing up you’ll also get a special free downloadable gift from dPS – our mini-guide and checklist for photographing the holidays.
We can’t wait to unveil the first deal with you…
Again – to get the deals via email just sign up below.
(function(d, s, id) {
var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];
if (d.getElementById(id)) return;
js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;
js.src = “//forms.aweber.com/form/40/889380340.js”;
fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);
}(document, “script”, “aweber-wjs-aaln1h62r”));
The post dPS 12 Days of Holiday Deals: Save up to 95% on Some Great Photography Training and Tools appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.
The post 10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.
The festive season is fast upon us. Do you have a food blogger or photographer in your life but are stuck on a gift that won’t break the bank? Luckily, food photography is one genre where prop lust is never-ending. You can buy helpful and attractive gifts for food photographers that they will love – many under $ 50 bucks.
Here are 10 ideas for gifts for food photographers that are sure to please.
Every food photographer has an arsenal of napkins in their collection, so they can be ready to create any mood in their images. Napkins and other textiles go a long way in creating a visual story, and the wrong choice can make an image feel a bit off.
This is where linen saves the day. Not only does its natural and fine texture go with virtually any setting, but it also drapes well, which can’t be said about a lot of other fabrics.
If you’ve ever tried to make a napkin look effortlessly placed, you’ll know why propping napkins is the bane of every food photographer’s existence. Linen makes this job a lot easier.
It also photographs well, because you don’t get the significant color shifts you can have when taking pictures with other fabrics.
There are a lot of great sources to buy linen online, but you can also head to a popular home retailer and pick up a few for a reasonable price. Places like Crate & Barrel sell them individually, so you don’t have to buy a pack of four, which will likely be three more than are really needed. Choose neutral colors like grey, cream, or light and navy blue.
Whether vintage or new, there is something about a French cutting board that adds a bit of pizzaz to an image.
Food photography is all about using layers to create interest. Placing a dish on a cutting board is a great way to style an image or add a bit of context to a scene.
French cutting boards make great gifts for food photographers but they can be expensive. However, many stores like Homesense carry them at very reasonable prices.
French Cutting Board
Every food photographer needs a couple of cake stands. A neutral color and on the smaller side is best.
Cake stands are useful for showing off a beautiful cake, of course, but they can also be used to prop other sweets, like stacks of cookies or even an arrangement of fruit.
A cake stand adds height and can be a prop that improves a composition without competing with the food.
To make the cake stand extra useful look for one with a detachable base.
Glass Cake Stand
Vinyl backdrops created specifically for food and still life photographers have become more and more popular with photographers in recent years, as an alternative to heavy and expensive custom-made backdrops.
The selection of manufacturers selling vinyl backdrops used to be fairly poor, but now there are some new companies selling high-quality backdrops in beautiful designs.
The backdrops offered by Captured by Lucy are under $ 50 USD in 2×3 feet, and come in a variety of colors and designs that work great for food photography. They lie flat as soon as you unroll them.
Vinyl backdrops are great for containing spills or working with ice and drips.
If you want to get a bit more bang for your buck, you can try the backdrops and Ink & Elm. The quality is decent and the price more affordable, which means you can purchase a few for your budget.
Vinyl Backdrops
One of the biggest challenges in propping food photography is the size of glassware these days. It’s way too big.
Scale is a very important aspect of food photography composition. In addition, objects can appear a lot larger to the camera than they actually are. You can really notice this when you shoot a scene from overhead because it flattens the depth.
As a food photographer, you don’t want your props dwarfing the star of the show – the food.
Vardegen glasses from IKEA are the perfect size for food photography. The ridges make the glass less reflective, which makes them easier to photograph, but they are translucent enough to look attractive in photos.
Vinyl Backdrops
Look at the foodie posts on Instagram, and you will invariably come across a carbon steel knife with a rounded wooden handle. This style of knife has become ubiquitous in the food photography world. It adds such a nice touch to a food scene without distracting from the major elements. It looks great with other modern or vintage props.
Several manufacturers make this kind of carbon steel knife. Pallares Solsona is one brand that can be bought through many sources online for a reasonable price.
A key to capturing great food photos is to work tethered in Lightroom. This is where you hook up your camera to your computer via a USB cable so you can see a larger and more accurate rendition of your photo on the screen than you can get on your camera’s LCD screen.
This cable is called a USB 2.0 to Mini B. Tether Tools is the brand most trusted and used by pro photographers everywhere.
When searching for this type of cable, it’s important to purchase one that has gold tips, so they don’t get corroded easily.
We said that scale is an important factor in food photography. Salad servers that are small enough can be difficult to find. You don’t want them hogging up your frame and detracting from your beautiful salad.
Amazon offers some lovely acacia wood servers with your choice of gold or white handle that is small enough for food photography and looks attractive with a variety of foods and props.
Also, the wood is not too orange, which is a color that tends not to translate very nicely in photos when it comes to props.
Can a food photographer ever have enough pinch bowls? The short answer is no. Most of us tend to have a large inventory of these in a variety of materials and colors.
Because they’re so small and perfect for displaying ingredients and seasonings, they add context to a food story and help create balanced compositions without overpowering the main subject.
Look for pinch bowls in ceramic, glass, wood or marble. Neutral colors work best, but sometimes patterned pinch bowls can look great if they are used with care. You can find pinch bowls everywhere, but the white rustic pinch bowls form Nom Living in the UK are crazy popular with food photographers and Instagrammers everywhere. They will make the perfect gift for a food photographer.
Every food photographer needs at least one resource on food styling at their fingertips. Even food photographers who work with a food stylist need to know how food behaves in front of the camera and be familiar with the tips and tricks that make food look its best.
Photographers who take on commissioned projects often have to do their own food styling, as do those who submit to stock sites.
The Food Stylist’s Handbook by Denise Vivaldo and Cindie Flannigan is an indispensable resource and a great gift for a food photographer. It not only shows you how to style specific food for the camera, but it also gives you the information on the tools you need and how to build a styling kit – something every food photographer or blogger needs.
Hopefully, these gifts for food photographers will solve the problem of what to buy for a special someone in your life. And, just remember, you can’t go wrong with classic props in neutral colors, and textures like linen, marble, and natural wood.
Do you have other gift ideas for food photographers that you’d like to share? Please do so in the comments section!
The post 10 Great Gifts for Food Photographers Under $ 50 appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darina Kopcok.
The post 10 Great Pieces of Camera Equipment for the New Year appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.
The equipment you use in photography can do much for the types of photos you create. The purchase of an additional lens can unlock new areas of photography for you that were otherwise not an option. There are lots of pieces of equipment you can buy for photography beyond the camera body and lens. In this article, you will learn how to accessorize your equipment. Interested in that? Read on and discover ten great pieces of camera equipment you could buy to boost your creativity!
There are many items you can use for light painting. A simple flashlight, your smartphone, or a glow stick, to name just a few.
A few years ago a new product entered the market though, and it’s changed the game. There are two companies you can look towards if you want to get hold of an LED light stick yourself. The choice of the product then is the pixelstick and the magilight.
These are both LED light sticks, and each product has its good and bad points. The bottom line is they both allow you to program light patterns that then transmit through a series of LED lights. They allow you absolute control of the light painting, and therefore give you maximum creativity!
An LED light stick can be a lot of fun to use.
Yes, that’s right! Those who have read articles written by me for digital photography school will know I often use a crystal ball for my photography. The product has been rebranded in recent years, and in photography circles, it’s now known as the lensball.
This is a great piece of camera equipment, that’s relatively inexpensive. How many camera lenses have you bought for less than fifty dollars? That’s what this product represents – it’s like an external lens optic that you can place almost anywhere within your scene.
Are you looking to buy a lensball? You can do that from lens ball, or refractique. These are rival companies that offer a similar package, they’re more expensive than some others on amazon but come with better quality glass and other items that make the package better-suited for photographers.
A glass ball works just like an external lens, or put simply, a lensball.
This item might just be the most creative item you’ll ever buy for your photography.
Other items you can buy will give you an extra option in your photography, a tripod, on the other hand, opens up a host of new ways for you to photograph.
Take a look at some of the photography techniques that need, or benefit from, having a tripod. Now it’s worth investing in a good tripod, one that’s sturdy enough that it doesn’t move during the exposure. If you’re traveling and want something smaller and less heavy, then the Gorillapod or a carbon fiber, lightweight tripod from K&F Concepts might be for you. See a reviews on the Gorillapod here and the K&F Concepts tripod here).
Use a tripod and take multiple photos to clone yourself!
Now, of course, this is more than one item! However, they’re so small, that for this article, I’ll treat them as one piece of camera equipment.
It could be said that in the days of post-processing the need for a bag of filters is not there anymore. You want to get your image as correct in-camera as you can, though, so having a handy set of filters to facilitate this is always good.
These are some of the filters you should consider.
There are some filter sets available such as those by NISI.
The bird’s eye view provided by a drone is a great angle.
A drone is the ultimate new toy for any photographer!
The sky literally is the limit! The bird’s eye perspective you’ll be able to achieve will be unique.
Take care to learn how to fly these before attempting the more ambitious photos. This costs a lot of money if you lose it through the battery running out or losing its signal.
You’ll also find an increasing number of countries tightening up the certificates you need to fly them. In addition to this, you need to know where the no-fly zones are. These are typically around airports, but other sensitive locations can also restrict drone flights.
Which is the best drone out there? It’s really hard to look past the DJI Mavic drones; they’re very portable, which is a huge plus. Read some reviews on DJI’s drones here.
Another small and inexpensive item that can add to your photography is a reflector disc.
You can use this to reflect sunlight onto your subject, or in conjunction with a strobe set up. These reflectors fold up into a small space in your bag, but then open up into a larger disc for maximum reflective effect.
They come in different sizes, and you can get rectangular or circular shaped discs. In addition to that, you can get silver, gold or white as a reflective surface that will make your subject warmer or cooler from the reflected light.
There are quite a number of lighting modifiers you can use with a flash, the Rogue Flashbender Kit makes the list here for its versatility compared with other products.
The concept is fairly simple.
You attach the flashbender to your flash, and then use the white surface to bounce light onto your subject. The flashbender panel itself can be manipulated into various shapes, giving you the following options.
The full kit can give you even more options, such as using color gels to alter the color-tone of light.
While not physical pieces of gear, they’re just as important for the modern photographer. The information they can give you on-the-go is vital. There are many apps out there. Some are specifically about photography, while others are very helpful to photographers like weather apps.
A lightbox is essential for any still life photography.
You’ll need some form of lighting to get the best results, with off-camera flash working best.
This piece of camera equipment will allow you to get the best product photos. You can also do some food photography with it. The aim of this is to get even light throughout your photo, with no strong shadows. It does this by bouncing light around the white surfaces that surround the box.
Product photography with a lightbox is better.
Having a set of business cards that you can use to build up your contacts is just as important as any other gear you might have as a photographer.
There is nothing like those face-to-face meetings with people to gain potential business, whether that’s being hired or selling prints. These can be inexpensive, or you can go for the more designer business cards.
Business cards made by Moo are of top quality.
There are many items you can buy for your photography.
Which item is for you?
Perhaps you’ll focus more on buying the right lens for your photography style. However, there are other items you can buy that will give your photography a creative boost.
Have you ever tried any of the items on this list, or are you tempted to buy one? As always at digital photography school, we love to see your comments in the comments section, together with any images you have.
The post 10 Great Pieces of Camera Equipment for the New Year appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Simon Bond.
The post How to Avoid This Travel Photography Mistake: Taking Snapshots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
When I teach travel photography workshops, I am always quick to encourage people not to rely on interesting subjects. An interesting subject does not always make a good photo. A good photographer does. So, in this article, you’ll learn to avoid just taking snapshots.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Taking snapshots when you travel is so easy. You find yourself in different, stimulating environments. They’re packed with exotic, compelling subjects provoking you to squeeze a quick photo as you rush by. Thinking the impressive subject is enough to create an appealing photograph is a mistake.
Pay attention to lighting, timing, and exposure. Taking snapshots without this care rarely hold anyone’s interest. You might find the most fascinating subject and not do it justice due to a lack of attention or time given to it.
Also, be careful of misconceptions about camera equipment. There are two main ones I notice.
‘I have a professional camera, so I take professional photographs’.
Just as a good subject does not make the photograph, nor does a good camera. A good photographer makes good photographs. Don’t rely on your camera to be creative. It cannot be. It is smart, that’s for sure. The artificial intelligence in modern cameras is phenomenal, but they are not creative. You are.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
‘I only have my phone or compact camera so I can’t take good enough photos’.
You don’t need to stick to taking snapshots with a compact camera or phone. Don’t limit your creative expression because of the equipment you use. Sure, there are limitations with that kind of camera. You can still creatively capture interesting subjects when you put your mind to it.
Slow down a little and think about how to make whatever it is that’s interesting into a great photo. Don’t rely on the subject alone. Every place you go, from Thailand to Turkey, you’ll find compelling subjects.
Something iconic needs to be treated with more imagination because everyone photographs it. To capture a photo of a monk in Chiang Mai or the Istiklal tram in Istanbul, you need to think outside the box. Everyone who’s been there has snapshots of these subjects.
Take your time when you find something engaging to photograph. Think about the lighting. Consider the best angle to photograph it from. Check out the background and make sure it’s relevant. Look at it for a while and ask yourself why you want to take a photo of it.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
The first composition you make will not always be the best. Often it will be the most clichéd. The one everyone else takes.
Experiment with different angles and lens focal lengths. Make horizontal and vertical compositions. Try a dutch angle or two.
Always think about filling your frame. What’s within the edges of your viewfinder or monitor? Is everything you can see relevant and supporting your main subject? If not, do something about it. Change your angle, aperture or lens. Or wait. Sometimes you have to pause for people or traffic to move out of the background space. This will help your subject will stand out.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Relying on an auto exposure mode and averaged metering gives you predictable results. Your camera is programmed to make even exposures. It’s not going to choose to expose for the highlights and let what’s in the shadows fall into blackness. Nor is it going to selectively slow down your shutter speed and purposefully allow motion blur to happen. You have to do these things.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Knowing your camera and how to control it will help you intuitively see when you can incorporate creative techniques. This will diversify the photographs you take. If you’re happy to use your camera like a point-and-shoot, then snapshots will fill your travel photo albums.
Taking your camera off the auto settings can force you to slow down (until you become more familiar with it). You can then think about all aspects of picture-taking at a more relaxed pace. Great photos are rarely quick.
Even most of the best street and travel photos are not taken on the spur of the moment. They are planned. They are preconceived. They are anticipated before the action happens, or the light becomes perfect.
When you do see something amazing happening and must react quickly, flick your camera back to auto. Take a few photos, and then, if you still have time, pop it back onto manual mode. Now you can get creative with your aperture and shutter speed.
© Kevin Landwer-Johan
Many people use their camera predominantly when they travel. People have more time to take photos of interesting subjects when they travel. The problem is remembering all those settings. How can you get the most out of your equipment when you seldom use it?
Taking a travel photography workshop at the start of your vacation or journey will kickstart your creative process. You can learn to be more confident with your camera when you have a better understanding of how it works.
Picking up your camera and being stressed because you’re uncertain if it’s going to do what you want is not fun. A good tutor will walk you through the essentials of using your camera and build your confidence to do so.
A workshop will also give you hands-on experience on location. You’ll learn how to see the most interesting subjects and what to do with them. On a photo tour, all you usually get is a guide showing you interesting things to point your camera at. A workshop will equip you to take great photos wherever you go because you’ll learn how to use your camera in a multitude of different situations.
© Pansa Landwer-Johan
It’s not difficult to avoid photographic clichés when you stop and think about it – even with iconic subjects. Slow down and enjoy the moment. Create a beautiful memory of it by thoughtfully composing your photos instead of taking snapshots.
Diversify your research. Don’t rely on Instagram to show you where the best photo opportunities are to be found. These are the places everyone will go and take the same boring pictures.
Think outside the box. Infuse your photos with creativity by looking for alternatives. Even if your subject is iconic, make it fresh and new in the way you choose to photograph it.
Do you have any other tips on how to avoid taking snapshots when doing travel photography? Do you have any stories to share? Please do so in the comments section.
The post How to Avoid This Travel Photography Mistake: Taking Snapshots appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Kevin Landwer-Johan.
The post Important Things to Consider When Photographing Winter Scenes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.
Winter is a great season for photography and a magical time of year to be outdoors. Photographing winter scenes can be an exciting opportunity to capture some unique and wonderful images, particularly when a familiar scene is covered in a blanket of snow and takes on an entirely different perspective. Here are some considerations on how to photograph winter scenes:
In spite of the colder temperatures, one of the joys of winter is that the sun tends to linger longer at dusk and dawn. It also remains lower in the sky throughout the day, providing great light.
If you can brave the elements and venture outside to capture these magical moments during the winter, you are more likely to have a productive shoot and be rewarded for your efforts. One advantage of photographing at dusk and dawn in the winter is that sunrise is much later than in the summer, and sunset is earlier.
Winter landscape, Oxfordshire
When photographing winter scenes such as snow, there are usually displays of strong contrast between subjects and colors that can make for striking images. For example, the whiteness of snow stands out really well against the darkness of a tree silhouette and combines beautifully with a colorful sun.
Alternatively, warm winter skies work really well with the cooler tones of snow. Look to find and photograph these types of contrast in your images, and the results will be more visually stunning.
Oxfordshire, England
Make the most of the winter light and shoot brightly-lit scenes. The bright white snow adds a certain beauty to a winter scene and can make a dull subject more interesting. A great time to shoot colorful winter scenes is when the sun is shining.
Yosemite, USA
Seek out colorful vistas that may include an animal, a tree, people, a house, a building, or even a snowman. Capture their warm colors in the glowing light. You may find you will need to overexpose a touch if your pictures are coming out slightly dark to make your images slightly lighter.
Iceland
Batteries tend to lose power and run out faster in colder weather, especially when photographing winter scenes.
Be sure to fully charge them before you set off to maximize your shooting time and keep spares in a warm place, such as an inner pocket.
One of the most important challenges with photographing winter scenes is keeping warm. It is amazing how quickly your body temperature can fall when standing still photographing in the cold.
Wear layers to keep the heat in (thermal and wool base layers work really well). Wrap up warm with gloves and a hat and consider hand (heat) warmers. These are great for heating your hands after they have exposed them to the elements, especially if you have to remove your gloves to navigate the camera buttons when taking photos.
There are winter gloves designed specifically for photographers. The thumb and forefinger flip back so you can keep your hands warm while photographing. Consider investing in a pair if you will be in snow and cold a lot.
Also, bring snacks and water to stay energized and hydrated.
Snow brightens the landscape and makes everything outdoors look amazing. However, photographing snow does come with its challenges. Here are some useful tips worth considering when photographing snow:
Iceland
Snow can trick your camera meter into underexposing when using your camera’s automatic metering system.
In order to achieve the correct exposure, you will need to compensate for this by adding positive exposure compensation (overexposure) of 1 to 2 stops. The raised exposure value (EV) will help the snow to appear whiter rather than a dull grey. Then your images will be more accurate and a better representation of the snow-covered scene that you see as a result of this.
This applies whether you are capturing falling snow or after it has settled on the ground.
Also, consider using a polarizer filter – this can cut glare and reflections off the snow when it is sunny. It can also help you to see through streams of water better because it cuts through the reflections on top of the water.
Yellowstone, USA
Winter can be a brilliant season for photography, whether you are capturing photos close to home or at more distant exotic locations. Don’t be deterred by the challenges faced when photographing winter scenes. Get out there and have some fun with your camera this winter, and use these tips to capture some great photos you can be proud of.
Share your winter images with us below and any further tips you may have.
The post Important Things to Consider When Photographing Winter Scenes appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jeremy Flint.
You must be logged in to post a comment.