Photography tips (#4)

Here is the fourth of five tips that I have previously posted in Google+ and Facebook.

( If you can't wait for the rest: here are all my tips: http://www.groblerdupreez.co.za/phototips.htm )

The difference between a great photograph and an average photograph

How many times, when looking at a beautiful photograph, have you heard or said “he/she (the photographer) was at the right place at the right time” or, “he/she is an excellent photographer”?

Yes, sometimes it just happens that you are at the right place at the right time, but you still must have some knowledge of composition and must know the basics of photography. It usually is not about coincidence or great skills. It is about planning, hard work, sacrifice, long hours and discipline

1. Coincidence
Yes, some photos just happen – you could be at the right place at the right time just by chance, but that very seldom happens and you still need to be prepared to make the best of the unexpected opportunity. You need to have your camera and tripod with you, the right lens for the situation, your batteries charged, etc.

2. Long hours
To be at the right place at the right time you need to spend many hours waiting for the opportunity – it doesn’t usually happens in those few minutes you want to spend taking photos... This usually ask to be in position at least half an hour before the sun rises and stay there until the light is getting too contrasty and to be in position at least an hour before sunset and stay there until it is nearly dark. Beautiful photos seldom happen between 9am and 4pm during the day!

3. Hard work
To be at the right place at the right time, you often need to carry your camera(s), tripod, extra lenses, etc. for long distances over difficult terrain to the optimum spot. The best views are usually far away from the easily accessible tourist viewpoints.

4. Planning
That beautiful sunset with a tree perfectly placed doesn't happen by it selves – you need to do some scouting beforehand to find the best spot. You also need to know the sun rise and setting times as well as exactly where it will set. Use a program like Photographer's Ephemeris (TPE), to assist the planning of outdoor photography. It shows direction of sunrise etc. on a topographical map, helping you to plan your shots.

5. Discipline
Getting up when it is pitch dark on a freezing morning, walking in sweltering heat, standing in the rain with only your camera equipment dry, carrying camera equipment for km’s (miles) over difficult terrain, facing mosquitoes and other insects, sleeping in your car to be on site early aren't what anyone of us prefer to do, taking calculated risks. That special shot doesn’t happen by itself.
To be at the right place at the right time ask for a lot of self-discipline.

"A great photograph is created by an average photographer who had the self-discipline to be at the right place at the right time"

Photography tips (#3)

Here is the third of five tips that I have previously posted in Google+ and Facebook.

( If you can't wait for the rest: here are all my tips: http://www.groblerdupreez.co.za/phototips.htm )

Wildlife photos during the golden hour or at night

As most people know by now, the most beautiful photos are usually created during the "golden hour" (the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset). Unfortunately, the light intensity during the golden hour is very low and makes it difficult to get sharp photos. The fact that wildlife seldom stands still, makes it more difficult. Even with a high ISO setting it is difficult to get sharp photos.

It is, however, possible to get good wildlife photos in those conditions. Use a tripod at all times, even if you use a cheap point and shoot camera. You will see the difference. If possible, use a remote trigger or use the camera timer to further reduce camera shake. Even a cell phone camera could take much better photos if you use some sort of support to stabilise it. Many of the photos taken this way will show blur due to subject movement, so take many photos.

The photo below was taken at a floodlight lit waterhole without a flash after the sun has set with the camera on a tripod. I used the camera timer on 2 seconds to further reduce camera shake. 

The settings were as follow: Shutter speed: 1/6 second, ISO: 1600, aperture: f6.3, focal length: 270mm

Photography tips (#2)

Here is the second of five tips that I have previously posted in Google+ and Facebook.

( If you can't wait for the rest: here are all my tips: http://www.groblerdupreez.co.za/phototips.htm )

Shooting a wide scene without using a wide-angle lens

By making stitched panoramas using a 24 mm or longer lens, you get get a more natural photo without the distortion of an ultra wide zoom like the 12-24. If I used my 12-24 zoom lens at 12mm, I could have fitted the whole scene in one shot, but the extreme ends of the photo would have been distorted. This method also gives a larger image with more megapixels which could be printed at a larger size.

Put your camera on a tripod (hand-held could also work if no tripod and light is sufficient), make sure your horizon is level, and shoot a few photos, ensuring that adjacent photos overlap. Manual exposure works best to ensure that all photos have the same exposure. Use a program like the Photomerge function in Photoshop to combine the photos. You will have to crop the final product to make it presentable.

Elephants at the Okaukeujo waterhole, Etosha National Park, Namibia. Panorama made from 3 separate photos using the Photomerge function in Photoshop CS4

Camera: NIKON D300S, Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/400), Aperture: f/11, Focal Length: 50 mm, ISO Speed:200, Manual exposure