O.K, you learn all these neat features and effects you can do with water, the silky smooth effect of a waterfall, the rippling effect of a creek in action. Water droplets on a leaf, and many, many others. You go outside armed with your camera, you step on the ground, and "ouch" it's hot, you look to your left and right, hmm, no waterfalls, creeks, or any sign of water...oh yeah, it's July.
So what do you do? You get creative that's what! The picture above is a water fountain, the picture on the sidebar (towards the bottom) was taken in our kiddy pool. You want some dew? Grab that water hose! You want a waterfall? Pile up some rocks, and pour some water over it! Want a creek? Dig a trench and fill er' up! Next time it rains, grab your camera and camp out on the front porch! Or grab an umbrella and take a picture of the drainage pipe, if it rains pretty good, water will be pouring our like crazy! No rain? Crank up those sprinklers! Just cause it's July in Texas' largest city doesn't mean that you can't get some good water pictures.
Don't tell me you can't find good subject matter! It may not be your next masterpiece, but it will do until fall.
2 comments:
Emily! I'm so excited about your blog! I've already added it to my reader. Not only are you a fabulous photographer, you write exceptionally well. I'll look forward to the next post!
Mike and I both enjoy photography so much. He's an engineer so he's much more technical than I am. I love his photography. He took some amazing pics of the fireworks last week. You can see them here: http://www.chrysandmike.com/blog/2008/07/star-spangled-fourth.html
He used a tripod, of course. He used the "bulb" setting and took advantage of a wireless remote to trigger it. (That was convenient b/c he could lean back and enjoy the fireworks instead of viewing them from behind the lens of the camera.) Exposure time was anywhere from 1 second to up to 16 seconds.
ISO 400, F11 - F16.
The technique was pretty important - more than he'd realized in the past. He concluded that the shorter exposures turned out better and also that opening the shutter after the initial explosion resulted in less of a hot spot in the middle.
We can't wait until next 4th of July b/c we're more prepared now, photographically speaking. :)
I look forward to learning along with you! Thanks for sharing your tips.
Chrys
Mrs. M.,
I am so glad you like my blog! I enjoy blogging immensely, and am thankful for the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of blogging and photography!
I LOVE the pictures Mr. M. took, those are amazing-both the fireworks and the photos!
I took some fireworks pictures of my own last weekend at my grandparents fourth of July party...I might try and post some of them. I started out using my new tripod propped up on a bucket I used a shutter speed of one to eight seconds (which is as long as my camera will go)and f4.9 aperture. I didn't like the turnout very well, it seemed to be more of a blur of light than fireworks. I then folded up the legs of the tripod and hand-held it at a faster shutter speed. I also liked the results better with shorter shutter speeds.
I saw the "bulb" funtion listed on my camera (Samsung S500) but didn't really know what it was for. I 'll have to try that next time. Thanks for the tip!
Using the remote is a good idea. My camera doesn't have that option, but my parent's camera does. So I might have to try that next time...
I vote for having fireworks more than twice a year!
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