July, 2010

Photo Tips — 7 Comments
29
Jul 10

A Different Perspective

I missed last week’s post while I was out chasing what many belief to be the epitome of wildflower photography in Colorado—the Colorado columbine. Although it is not unique to Colorado, it is found primarily in the Colorado Rockies. That may be why it was chosen as the state flower.

Most of the time it is photographed as a single blossom since its large size cries out for close-ups. Next on the list are clusters of columbines followed by columbines in a field of wildflowers. There can be no doubt that all of these viewpoints are capable of producing stunning results.

I spent a day with a couple of friends who had traveled from across the Great Plains to photograph the legendary columbine. Since I live where the columbines grow, I must admit that I have grown a bit complacent about them, so the enthusiasm of these fellow photographers seeing something that to them is rare and unusual was quite refreshing and also quite contagious. This photo of a columbine cluster leaves no doubt that the flowers are as spectacular as ever when seen through fresh eyes.

A beautiful cluster of columbine in a rocky slope.

But the next day I was shooting by myself and the previous day’s infectious enthusiasm had waned more than a little. I was left to wrestle with my own desire to shoot something different. With the plethora of images now available, that’s a challenge for all photographers. While shooting fairly typical columbine shots, I was startled by a mouse scurrying through the grass. As I turned to watch its activities, my attention was caught by a particular columbine blossom. The color wasn’t the magnificent blue that is the preferred color, but instead was a less desirable purplish coloration. In spite of the color, my attention was captured by the soft sensuality of the petals and spurs on the back side of the blossom.

An atypical shot of a colubmine blossom from the back.

I spent the next hour (as well as several more on subsequent days) photographing columbines from the back. I have no delusions about this being an award winning photograph, but it did satisfy my need to create a columbine image from a different perspective. It also points out the need to push ourselves creatively to find that unique image, our own perspective on the world around us.

Enjoy

Frank

Photo Tips — 2 Comments
17
Jul 10

Keep it Simple

 

It’s not unusual for beginning photographers to try to pack everything into one photograph. We’ve all seen this in the stereotypical vacation photos where the photographer is trying to capture a photo of a loved one against a stunning background scene. We’re left wondering what we should be looking at, the person or the scenery. Unless you know the person, these images fail to hold your interest.

The strongest and most interesting images are those that have one, clearly identifiable subject. The old saying “keep it simply simple” applies directly to photographs. One subject with minimal distractions usually provides the best image. It leaves a very clear image in the viewer’s mind with no doubt about what he should be looking at.

Find your subject then work on eliminating all elements that distract from the subject. Keep only those elements that support or enhance the subject and you’ll wind up with better images.

Good shooting

Frank

Equipment / Photo Tips — No Comments
11
Jul 10

Point and shoot

 

I photographed these wall flowers with a point-and-shoot camera and a DSLR. The is the best shot from the series and it came from the point-and-shoot camera.

I know that I’ve said this before, but I think it bears repeating. The camera does not create a photograph, you do. The camera isn’t any better than the person using it. I’m sure the camera manufacturers will disagree with me, but then they’re only interested in selling cameras. This question came up at recent seminar I was conducting, so I set out to prove my point–again.

So I borrowed a point-and-shoot camera (for the technophiles, it was a Nikon Coolpix 4300) and went after rain dappled wildflowers. I wasn’t particularly familiar with the camera that I borrowed, but then I figured that most of us aren’t as familiar with our cameras as we could be, so I was in the same boat as most amatuer photographers. Naturally, there were a few surprises. Due to the overcast and fog, the camera decided it needed a flash even though I didn’t want to shoot with a flash. So who do you think won that battle? I’m embarrassed to admit that it wasn’t me. I couldn’t figure out how to override the flash. In spite of that little hiccup, some of the results were pretty good.

But the biggest surprise was how the camera changed the way I created my images. Naturally, the point-and-shoot camera has some physical limitations when compared to my DSLR. I very quickly realized that I had to adapt to those differences. Because I had less control over the aperture and consequently the depth of field, I found that I had to become even more aware of the backgrounds in my macro shots. It meant that some shots that I might have taken with a DSLR I didn’t attempt with the point-and-shoot. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t get good shots with the point-and-shoot.

Which returns me to my opening statement—cameras don’t create photographs, photographers do. The camera is simply a tool and it isn’t any better than the person using it.

Good shooting

Frank

Photo Tips — 5 Comments
4
Jul 10

Focus on the Background

If you want to dramatically improve your macro shots, focus on the background. I don’t mean that you should literally focus your lens on the background. I mean that you, the photographer, should focus your attention on the background. The background in a macro image is critical to the success of that image.   

A soft ,mottled green background enhances the beauty of dew-glittered fairy trumpets.

Usually when we’re shooting, we tend to focus our attention on the subject. Our biggest concern is that it is in focus, that the composition is good and in a close-up that it doesn’t move. All are very important issues for tight close-ups. We can also get caught up in the magnification of the subject. When the lens magnifies the image, we can see things through the camera that we didn’t notice with the naked eye. It’s easy to get so caught up in the excitement of what we’re seeing and forget to pay attention to what the camera sees. Unlike our eyes, the camera sees the subject and the background equally.

Make sure that the subject is where the viewer’s eye is drawn without any background distractions. We can do this by minimizing the background. Creating a simple, uncluttered background will make your subject stand out and make the background, well, fade into the background. That’s not always as easy as it sounds. An out of focus background is relatively easy to achieve, but that doesn’t ensure a suitable background. An out of focus background that enhances the subject requires a bit more effort. Many macro images are disappointing because the background, even though it’s out of focus, is a cacophonous riot of color. Our eyes are drawn to bright areas and to brightly colored areas even if they are fuzzy and lack detail. Color variations in the background should be soft and subtle. Ideally, keep the background, regardless of color, darker than the subject.

Soft variations in light and shadow highlight grasses at Ridgway State Park, CO.

Many times light and shadow provide a background that is mostly shades of gray. This is good, except when the light and shadow create a distracting pattern. As with a colored background, try to achieve a soft, subtle background lacking distinct patterns that is generally darker than the subject.

A change of focus when you spot a suitable macro subject may help your shot. Before you pull your camera out, move around the subject and look at the background. Look for a simple background. Sometimes squinting will help you envision what an out-of-focus background might look like. Spend at least as much time looking for a suitable background as you spend looking for a good subject. Then pull out your camera and start composing. If your camera has a preview button, use it to see how the background will look at the selected aperture.

A good background is just as important to your shot as the subject. Focus on the background to nail that macro shot.

Good shooting.

Frank