Photography Tips: How to Get Great Pictures in Bad Weather Conditions
How to Take Good Pictures in Bad Weather Conditions:
1.) Be prepared at all times: Bad weather can, but it may not give you a warning. Being prepared to shoot in poor conditions will allow you to capture that shot that you would have missed had you not been geared up and mentally prepared for.
2.) Protect your equipment. Don't sacrifice your camera to get that shot. This is why rule #1 is very helpful.
3.) Many times when weather is at its worst, photography is at its best. The sky is brighter, darker, the fog is like a blanket- all those situations make for some great shots. The key is being willing to get outside when you don't want to, to leave the warmth of your couch and put on your rain gear.
4.) Don't pose people- they will all look miserable. This no posing rule is especially important in cold, windy, wet conditions! Shoot people doing what they want to do, some will turn out others won't. Don't worry about that.
5.) Be ready, be quick and then be done. Take the time you need, but then go home.
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips Posts:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin’ Your Images
Taking the Best Black and White Photos: What to Look For
What does the ISO Do For You?: Learning more about the ISO
How to Take Good Pictures in Bad Weather Conditions
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Photography Tips: What Does the ISO Do For You?
Kissing, Image shot at ISO 1600.
To really understand what ISO is and what it does, and to really get it you need to know first what it was before digital cameras. After that I'll try to get down to what it is and why it is important. This is a more technical photo post, I hope you follow. Please let me know if something I say is unclear, because I am sure someone else will have the same question.
What the ISO was: It was, in the era of non-digital cameras a number that was written on the individual film rolls that you purchased for your camera. When I was in photography class, we used ISO 400 to allow for more light and quicker shots, such as sporting events or low light situations, and ISO 200 for regular headshots or point and shoot people events. So the higher the ISO the film had, the more light it allowed in. In the past (when using film) you were stuck with one ISO setting for that entire roll, no adjustments.
What the ISO is now: Now that the world has skip, hopped and jumped forward to digital cameras the ISO means something similar, but without using film. It is another adjustment you can make when taking pictures and want to allow for more exposure (let in more light, make your shot brighter). You can fidget with the light meter, the shutter speed, and on a digital camera you can mess with the ISO as well. The higher the ISO, the more light that will be allowed in, the more light sensitive that that shot will be.
According to Ben Long in The Cannon EOS Digital Rebel XSi/440D Companion, "ISO is a standard for measuring the sensitivity of film. Digital vendors have adopted the standard for specifying the sensitivity of a digital image sensor. When you increase the ISO setting on the Rebel XSi, you're essentially making the sensor more light sensitive. As the sensor becomes more sensitive, it will require shorter exposures to be able to "see" a scene" (p. 93)
The way digital cameras are set up now you can shoot at an ISO of 1600 which enables you to shoot with the image sensor, so sensitive that it allows you to take photos in a much lower light than was ever possible with film.
The benefits to a higher ISO are:
- Ability to shoot in a setting with much lower light and still capture a great shot.
- Enables you to take pictures of sporting events, stopping the action in time.
- Gives a shot a much greater depth of field.
Drawback to shooting with higher ISO: So why not always shoot allowing for the most light to enter the shot with the highest ISO possible? Well, there is a setback, that I didn't really know about until doing my homework for this little photo post. Since I hate my flash, I have just been increasing the ISO all the way up to the max (on my camera it is 1600) which does make the sensor really sensitive, however, I have been noticing (lately) a little of what is known as "noise" by the pros. Noise is what happens when you increase and amplify any type of electrical signal, which is what you are doing when you increase the ISO. Along with the signal of data you want, you will increase the static or noise. Think old-school radio and then you'll get it.
Noise is photo static, it looks grainy, not sharp, even sometimes can look blurry or distorted (in extreme cases of course). Most of the time you won't even see it until you enlarge your pictures, then in the shadowy areas especially it is bumpy and grainy. That is noise.
My conclusion after doing my homework on the ISO ins and outs:
If you are interested in the best image quality and sharpness, here is the rule I'll give you: Shoot at the lowest ISO possible to make the shot. To do this you can mess around with the light meter and shutter speed and try to get the ISO down. However, If it isn't possible, than of course a photo with noise is better than no image at all, so just shoot away. Don't stress it!
When using the camera that I have, the Cannon EOS XSi/450D My noise complaints are extremely low, even when shooting at an ISO 1600. I would rather increase the noise on my shot, which doesn't really bother me a ton and get the shot without using the flash than turn the flash on.
Photo Examples of shooting at high ISO:
Bread Image shot at ISO 1600 If you click on it and you'll see some noise. For me that adds to the effect of the depth of field, so it doesn't bother me.
Boys, Image shot at ISO 1600, now that I look at this one there was no reason for it to be shot with an ISO that high since it was outside, and I do see the noise and don't like how it fights with the sharpness in this shot. I am learning.
Converse, Image shot at ISO 1600 this shot too, it is just fine the way it is. I guess I'll never know what it could have been, but really now, does that matter? ;)
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin’ Your Images
Taking the Best Black and White Photos: What to Look For
What does the ISO Do For You?: Learning more about the ISO
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: How to Take the Best Black & White Photos
1.) B&W Shots Are Forever. There is so much to love about shooting in black and white. It makes the people stand out- you aren't distracted by the colours, so if the shot has a strong focal point your eyes will have no problem heading there. Black and white is more intimate, more whimsical, and much better at showing the on-looker the detailing in the shot. If you aren't convinced that black and white photography is for you, read on my friend.
2.) Learning from Black and White. Shooting in B&W gives you more of an opportunity to see what is really good (or not good) about your shot. The detailing either will stand out or not depending on the contrast you have set up in the shot, sure you can edit and change some things, but you will be able to see more of the raw detailing and therefore learn to take better shots. Therefore learning from mistakes, the best of teachers.
3.) Beat The Gray! May your blacks be black and your whites, white. This was a tip from my old photo teacher in high school when we were developing our own photos from film in the toner and other smelly chemicals. I still remember the tip though. When you are shooting, your light meter is set right when there is a range of "colours" from the darkest of blacks to the whitest of whites. Also, as always try to use the lowest ISO possible to reduce what is known as noise.
4.) The Biggies in Black and White. What matters in black and white shots? Learning to shoot for texture and contrast. That is what makes an excellent shot stand out in black and white photography. You will start to know the amount of contrast you are looking for. When you are a well trained black and white photographer you will see contrasts, textures, and be able to ignore the distractions of colour and tone. The best way to do this is to practice!!
5.) Never Shoot in Black and White! Yeah, strange I know...but there are several reasons to shoot in colour and edit the images on your computer in a photo editing program. The first is that then you'll have the image in colour if you ever need it that way, or happen to like it better. If you shoot in black and white you are limiting yourself and your options with that shot. The second reason is that when you tell your camera to shoot a digital image in black and white it shoots it in colour and then edits it into black and white inside the camera. Cameras don't have as good of image converters as your regular computer photo editing, so it will be a lower quality image that you start out with.
There are exceptions: if you are shooting in the RAW format than just go for it, your camera will load the colour data on to your computer when uploading so switching to colour will be an option. The second (and last) exception that I can see is if you are really wanting to see how it will look and you want to see it in black and white on your LCD screen, then switch over to shooting in black and white.
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin’ Your Images
Taking the Best Black and White Photos: What to Look For
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: Group Shots
1.) Coordinate. It may sound cheesy to coordinate in matching colours, but it will be worth your scepticism when you see the results. I don't want you to think, matchy-matchy shirts and pants because that is horrid. Here are some colour ideas for your group:
-Natural Colours: this works really well, really letting the faces stand out of the subjects.
-Primary Colours: I like this especially for kid groupings, but it could work on different ages as well.
-All One Colour: Tell your group beforehand to wear all wear green, pink or red-and not to worry about the shade of the colour, as that will add to the shot. Just say green, any shade of green. This works the best with a large group where there are so many shades that it really pops. If you do green, make sure to shoot outside for an added bonus of green around your subjects as well!
-In Uniform: This works if you are taking a photo of a group of ranchers, pilots, construction workers or Army men. It really shows off the faces because they will be wearing similar dress. Take care to not pose those in a uniform in a very strict pose, as it will just look like they are getting ready to march. Use different heights, some standing, some sitting. Or a pose that demonstrates their comradery, for example a shot of them all praying together, or with their arms across each other's shoulders. These guys usually go deep, try to bring that out in your shot.
2.) Think Small to Shoot Big. Sometimes a huge group of people can be really intimidating, especially when thinking of how to pose them or get them all in. If you can, think of them in segments. You can group all the kids together, or the families or whatever you are working with, but call one group up at a time pose them as if for their own shoot and keep adding additional groups. This will make for a photo that has different heights, and that is much more visually stimulating than a group of people all standing together looking confused. I would recommend only adding the kids in for some shots, and maybe doing generational shots. Bring the kids in first or last, but don't let them be there long...or you'll get grouchy faces.
3.) Posing is Everything and Then Its Not. Unless you like the look of just a blob of people standing there looking confused, pose them. Sometimes if you have them on a structure of some sort that will do the job for you. Kids sitting naturally all over a play structure( you can shoot them while they are actually playing). I have mentioned before that it is really not fun to boss and bully your subjects, and this stands true here too, but many times in order to get the little ones to cooperate (and oldest) you may need a bribe of Popsicles, brownies, or a swim in the ocean when it is all over.
Posing is also not everything because action group shots are great too. Some action shots are planned, but they can't be posed. It makes for happier people when you have their minds working on something, and happier people mean happier and better shots. There is a craze lately of the mid-air jumping shots. Also, if you set your group back 100meters from you and then just say "RUN!" the running shots are great too. I saw a wedding shot of this recently were the whole bridal party had their shoes off and was running toward the camera. It was the best shot of that wedding. If a group of ladies is sewing and you are going to take their photo, don't have them stand up and get in a blob and shoot, if they are sitting, kneel down and shoot them in what they are doing. You will get much more natural shots.
4.) Black and White is Your Friend. Because people don't want to coordinate outfits, because they don't always get the memo, because they don't like to cooperate, because one lady is wearing an obnoxious blouse, and because it really does look better: go black and white when shooting groups. I don't recommend actually taking them in black and white, but just know, if you throw a group of uncoordinated people (and or clashing colours) into Black and White you will be suprised by how much it changes for you. Also, it is whimsical, it is old fashioned, and really I think Black and White can add a lot to your group shots. So if all else fails - just make the switch.
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: Capture Real People, in Real Life Shots
There are so many wrong moves we make when taking shots of other people. What I love to do most is capture real people, real faces that they make, and doing what they really do. Kids play, they don't generally stand still in a dress shirt with their feet pointed slightly to the left, arms crossed, head slightly tilted, wearing what could be a plastic smile. But we try to capture that moment to keep? Sorry, but posing people unnaturally is probably my biggest nightmare. I am not a professional, I like to get real shots, I don't need to pose people, when I do have to pose them I do it so that they hardly know they are being posed. If these tips work with my 3 and 5 year-old boys it seems they would work (with slight variations) on most people.
1.) You do the work: Let your subject (victim) be while YOU do the work of moving around to get the best shot. Call it the photographer's diet-- it works for me. You are the one trying to get the good shot, so when you force your kids to do all the work, you really will get only mediocre expressions from dissatisfied subjects. Let them play, let them throw sand, let them cry...real pictures work best and they are the most memorable ones.
2.) Work (read: play) with your subject: Ask the person what their favourite thing to do is, and get pictures of them doing that. If you are taking pictures of your children you probably already know what they like to do, so instead of telling them you are going to take pictures just ask them if they want to play pirates, or if they'd like to go outside and shoot their cap guns. While they are doing it, take pictures.
3.) Don't give commands: Try as little as possible to say things like, "wait, just stay like that!" or "don't move!"...those kind of comments clue them in and they won't want to cooperate. There are moments that you would like to capture, and you can avoid sounding like you are only interested in taking pictures say things like, " I think that gun has some caps left in it" or " " do you think you can shoot the top of that tree over there?" -- again be real, this isn't about manipulation, but working with them to get a good outcome. Don't lie to get them to do what you want, but it is okay if you use your imagination. This works well for little kids. I don't have teens yet, so I'll give you tips on that when we get there.
A shot of how chaos, can be better than organization- let it be, and SHOOT!
4.) The magical window of picture perfectness: There are times when you need a specific shot and the subject just has to cooperate. These shots are rare, but still they happen. When this is the case, get your shots within an age specific amount of time. My kids are 3 and 5 years old, they can sit and look happy for about 2 minutes without touching something or acting grouchy. That means I have 2 minutes. I need to have my camera ready, have the light meter set right, and everything just set so that I can shoot pictures for that whole time. When they are done, YOU are too. Resist the urge to beg, bully, and boss them into anything once the magical window is closed. You will all have a better day.
A necessary posed shot, I gave myself about 5 seconds, the equivalent of two shots to get this one right..the little feet weren't going to stay still for long. (It was a no-nap day)
Check back every Wednesday for more Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips!!
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: The Basics
1.) Go digital this should be completely obvious, but some are probably hanging on to those dear relics of the past. Take the plunge, you will never go back.
2.) Take a ton of pictures. my photography teacher in highschool said “Take a million pictures, one is bound to turn out”. I still take a lot of pictures, and even when I think I have it I take some more. You never know what is a little out of focus or when someone has their eyes closed. If you have a camera where you can mess with the settings, mess every shot, you never know the experiments that will stun you!
3.) Know your camera. This is a big mistake, you get a camera and just start shooting, you don’t know what half the buttons are for or why your pictures are all dark or yellow. Read the manual!!! If you don’t you’ll really be missing out.
4.) Keep your camera with you always. Don’t be afraid of shooting all the time. I take my huge camera everywhere, and it is annoying to bring (and keep track of) but the images I get that I never even thought of are priceless.
5.) Don’t be shy. This one I have a hard time with, there is a fine line between shooting unobtruseively, and taking pictures and monopolizing the moment with your clicks and beeps. Be natural, let them be natural the pictures end up way better than you could have imagined. But, don’t be too shy to get your camera out at all times, I have to fend off shyness when it comes to shooting, but I don’t regret the pictures I get.
Check back on Wednesdays for more Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips!
I always love answering questions for readers. I’d love ideas on future Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips sessions if you have them. Leave me a comment, I love hearing from you!
Previous Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips:
The Basics
Capture Real People, In Real Life Shots
Work That Thing! How to Get the Best Shots
Tips for Group Shots: How to Shoot a Group Session Like You Know What You’re Doing!
Photo Editing, Fixin' Your Images
Dreadlock Girl Photography Tips: I am going to do several of these posts, I am not a professional photographer by a long shot, but I love taking pictures and seeing beautiful pictures so I want to share what I have learned with you.
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