General Shooting Tip #1

When you’re busy snapping away taking pictures of those unforgettable sites, do you sometimes forget the name of that unforgettable view? Here’s a way to help you keep track of things.

Where Am I?

On my recent visit to Yellowstone, I saw this picturesque hot water pool. It was located in a huge geyser basin with many other such pretty views making it difficult for me to recall them all.

My solution was to take a snapshot of the sign describing the site. Even though I don’t intend to print a picture of the sign, I now can recall the Emerald Spring. In this case, I also have some background info about the pool.
Posted in informational, landscapes, tips | Tagged | Comments Off on General Shooting Tip #1

Using Flash Tip #1

Most cameras have a built-in flash for shooting indoors or in low-light areas. Sometimes photos taken with flash may look overly contrasty or harsh since you’re using a tiny, single light source. To soften the light, you can cover the flash with a handkerchief or facial tissue. The result is a more rounded look, especially on faces.

Soften The Light

This photo was taken with flash. Notice that the right side of the face shows a lot of contrast the photo appear harsh.

For this shot, I covered the flash with a facial tissue. I wrapped the tissue around the flash with a rubber band. The result is a softer light.

the facial tissue acts as simple flash diffuser
Posted in flash, tips | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Using Flash Tip #1

Shooting Stills Tip #1

Many of us have a craving for food and drink. Sometimes I like to photograph a memorable dinner. Here’s a simple tip that can help make your food shots shine.

Lighten Up

When photographing food, the texture and details may become obscured when the lighting isn’t perfect. Here the light was coming from the back (backlit) which makes the meat appear quite dark.

Here, I’ve popped up the camera’s flash to bring out the food details. When using the flash to provide fill light, you may want to adjust the camera exposure so that the flash does not overexpose the food.
Posted in stills, tips | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Shooting Stills Tip #1