32 DIGITAL CAMERA^ OCTOBER 2019 http://www.digitalcameraworld.com
8 | FINE ARTH
MatthewSeedave you ever
wondered why
your images
don’t look like
those that you
see in glossy photography
magazines or images trending
on social media? Sometimes
it can be difficult to translate
what we see in front of us in
to a photograph that portrays
the same grandeur or sense
of awe that we may have felt
at the time. This often results
in us looking back at our photos
and thinking, “It looked a lot
better in real life.”
This is because our eyes
and our brain see things
differently in real life compared
to a camera seeing something
in 2D. Our eyes scan a scene as
a whole and move around to see
a view from many angles, andour brains are capable of
processing the deepest
shadows and the brightest
highlights. Sadly, our cameras
are not as intelligent.
The next time you are stood
in front of a breathtaking view
and you want to capture a great
image that reflects how you feel,
there are a few things you can
do in order to turn what would
have been a snapshot into
a great photograph, or
even a piece of art.
You don’t need the best
camera gear: you simply need
patience, awareness and a
little bit of willpower. Not every
great view makes for a great
photograph, but a lot of them
do – and here I will give you
a few tips on how to take
your images to the next level.
http://www.thomasheaton.co.uk1
Wake up early
Sunrise does not always guarantee a great photo,
but more often than not it is the best time of day to
witness beautiful conditions. There are fewer people out, and
the world always seems a little calmer. Try to be on location
at least 30 minutes prior to sunrise and bring a tripod, as
light levels will be much lower than during the day.2
During the day the light
can be very flat, as the
sun is high in the sky
and illuminates everything. In the
morning, however, it will interact
with your subject in a completely
different way, giving more depth,
colour and contrast.
It’s important to know how the
light will work with your subject.
I use an app
called PhotoPills
that allows me
to see where in
the sky the sun
will rise, and
at what time.3
Be thoughtful
Being thoughtful about your image
is one of the best ways to improve.
Simple things such as paying attention to
the edges of your frame and your general
composition makes a world of difference.
This is a daytime snapshot of a scene I returned
to at sunrise for the main image. Look at the
reflection of the peak: it is missing. Something as
simple as this can be easily overlooked in the field.
Tom Take your time and be thoughtful of every detail.HeatonFrom snapshot
to artwork
To m H e ato n explains how to turn your
casual snaps into pieces of ar t, with just
a few simple changes to the way you
think about and approach photography