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HOW TO SHOOT...
ARCHITECTUREWINTER WALKSAPERTURE ISO SHUTTER SPEEDLIVE MUSIC MINIMALISMFire off three or four frames
at a time, just in case your
focus slips from shot to shotHOW TO SHOOT...
ACTIONFROSTY FLOWERSKeep your batteries warm while
out shooting, as they will drain
more quickly in colder monthsIf your images look busy, with too many
competing elements, then try minimalism...(^) Include a focal point
Whether it’s a standout bit of nature or
an object, the eye should immediately
be drawn to a specific part of the photo.
(^) Use negative space
Empty space in a photo helps to create
a clean and crisp feel. It also draws
attention to the main subject.
(^) Shoot in fog or mist
This will hide dark and distracting
backgrounds, and will completely
transform the scenery.
KIT CHECKLIST...
Camera or lens with image stabilisation
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
To get a sharp image, keep your shutter
speed as close to your focal length as
possible, or shoot one stop over.
Select your focus point, lock onto
an eye, and learn to anticipate
the movement of the artist.
f/2.8 2,500ISO 1/200sec
KIT CHECKLIST...
Macro lens, tripod
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Use Matrix or Multi metering mode.
This will take the whole scene into
account, rather than just the subject.
Think about your depth of field, and
use it to your advantage to create
compelling compositions for the shot.
f /4 400 ISO 1/200sec
Learn to approach birds without disturbing
them: their welfare is more important.
Find the sweet spot of your lens
Choose Aperture Priority and set one or
two stops up from the widest aperture: on
a 400mm lens, it’s likely to be f/6.3 or f/7.1.
Keep it up
Try a shutter speed of no slower than 1/250
sec, or ideally much faster. Kingfishers
move fast, and you’ll need to keep up.
Shoot in burst mode
Use wide tracking and high-speed burst
mode; with modern cameras you can
rattle off at least 10fps to get the shot.
HOW TO SHOOT...
WILDLIFE
GONE FISHING
Kingfishers are a Schedule 1
protected species. This means it’s
against the law to disturb them
HOW TO SHOOT...
GET CREATIVE
PERFECT PRODUCTS
If you’re not prepared for winter photography,
you can actually damage your equipment.
(^) Reduce moisture
Before heading inside, place your camera
in an airtight plastic bag – this will stop
moisture condensing inside the camera.
(^) Invest in a decent kit bag
A good camera bag will not only have handy
compartments, but also the right padding
for protecting your gear in the cold.
(^) Carry an air blower
Snowflakes can fall onto your lens; rather
than risk leaving marks with your hands or
gloves, use an air blower to remove them.
HOW TO SHOOT...
PORTRAITS
EDITORIAL
Communicate with your model
and makeup artist: they are both
integral parts of the shoot
KIT CHECKLIST...
Pop-up backdrop, studio lights or flash
FOR YOUR SHOTS, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Make one light brighter than the other:
this will bring depth and tone to create
a more three-dimensional feel.
Use a mid-range aperture like f/8,
otherwise key areas of the image,
like props, will be out of focus.
f/8 ISO 160 1/160sec
HOW TO SHOOT...
MACRO
HOW TO SHOOT...
LANDSCAPES
Nigel R Glasgow
HOW TO SHOOT...
BLACK AND WHITE
ARTY ARCHITECTURE
Less is more – have a simple
but effective composition.
Composition is the ultimate key
KIT CHECKLIST...
Camera with raw shooting capability
FOR YOUR FIRST SHOT, TRY...
TIPS FOR GETTING A GREAT SHOT...
Try to avoid under- or overexposing
any areas of the image. This will give
you more to work with in the edit.
Fine art is all about high quality. There
is no better way to achieve this than
capturing images in raw format.
f/5.6 ISO 800
Dario ‘Ropero’ Romano
Getty
Ant Boothman
Neil Shearer
Future
David Zeman
Snow can wreak havoc on your
camera’s metering system, so
overexpose images by one stop
Composition will affect your
focal point, and whether the
image feels balanced overall
Product photography is something you
can create indoors all year round.
Tell a story
If you can, convey a narrative about the
product in a single frame: this is the key
to enticing your viewer – and clients.
Be dynamic
You can create movement or a sense
of motion in the edit. Create lines or
even explosions in Photoshop!
Floating effect
Suspend your products with string;
just make sure they’ve stopped
moving before you hit the shutter.
Showing your product in an
unlikely location is a great way
to grab the viewer’s attention
1/250
sec
HOW TO SHOOT...
ASTRO
TRAIL-BLAZING
Always have a few spare batteries
with you: you’ll be out shooting
for prolonged periods of time
Star trails show the movement of the earth,
using a fixed focal point in the foreground.
Reduce light pollution
If possible, drive somewhere away from the
bright lights of built-up areas. The darker
the sky, the more you can up your exposure.
Use Bulb mode
Bulb lets you shoot for as long as you’re
holding down the shutter button: that
could be 31 seconds, or up to three hours.
Wide-angle lens
A lens with a focal length of 14mm to
24mm is an ideal range for star trails,
and will incorporate some foreground. Future Alistair Campbell
9000
9021