Digital Photographer - UK (2020-06)

4

ExperimentwithshutterspeedScroll

theshuttercontrolwheeluntilyou

getyourdesiredexposure.Makesureyou

underexposeyourimagesbyapproximately

halfa stoptoholddetailinthehighlights.The

imagecanbebrightenedlaterinsoftware.

5

Useself-timerSelf-timercanbefound

onanycameraandwillpreventshake

bycreatinga delaybetweensqueezingthe

shutterbuttonandtheshotbeingtaken.

Mostcamerasoffertwo,fiveandtenseconds

ofdelay,butusuallytwosecondsisenough.

6

TurnofflensstabilisationDeactivate

lensstabilisation.It isunnecessarywhen

usinga tripodbutcanmakeyourphotos

blurry.Somelenseshavea stabilisation

switch– inthiscaseyou’llhavetoturnit off

onyourlensandinthemenuofthecamera.

warmer, softer light with lower global contrast.
This makes keeping tones within the dynamic
range of your camera easier to achieve,
and helps to prevent ugly bright spots and
blocked-up shadow areas.
This does introduce some challenges
particular to the genre, however. Lower

ambient light will require you to use longer

exposures, which can be difficult when

working on crowded street corners and busy

pavements. If you are able to use a tripod, you

need to work quickly to capture the images

you want without creating an obstruction or a

hazard to the many people around you.

Meanwhile, there will also likely be a

contrast of colour temperatures to deal with,

featuring cooler tones in the shadows and

extreme warmth in the highlights. Always work

in RAW, or consider taking a custom white

balance reading, to give yourself the best

chance to capture the best of both.

Anton says: This spot in Abu Dhabi is famous among local photographers for its reflection. I decided to go for complete symmetry as it is what

makes the photo look dynamic. I planned the entire trip to the UAE very carefully to cover most of the iconic locations in the shortest amount

of time. Abu Dhabi welcomed me with a stunning sunset! I always seek cosiness, and this photograph communicates it in a very pleasant way.

If I were to shoot this one again I would try it during blue hour. The lights in Abu Dhabi are very warm in terms of white balance, so that would

create a perfect colour contrast. Then I would wait until there were stars in the sky and take a second shot to blend them in post-production.

The Grand Mosque sunset

© 6 x Anton Alymov

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