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Showing posts with label Being Resourceful. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Being Resourceful. Show all posts

Aug 12, 2008

Weather you like it or not

Whether you like it or not, the weather is always present and changing.

Texans have been known to say

"well if you don't like the weather, wait a minute and it will change".

As a photographer this can be a real problem or a really good thing-depending on how you look at it.

If the sun suddenly goes behind a cloud at a time when you have too much light you would say that changing weather is a very good thing. But if that same sun went behind a cloud when you were in desperate need of more light you might think otherwise. So, like I said, it depends on how you look at it.

I've talked elsewhere of working quickly when the weather is favorable, so today I am going to talk primarily about bad weather and it's advantages-that's right, advantages.

Admittedly, I do not have much experience with photographing storms and the like, but I have seen many well composed bad-weather photographs that others have done. And would like to impart what I have learned with you.

  • Don't be upset by overcast days, these are in fact the best days for photographing. The shadows and lighting are even and the colors more vibrant.
  • In general, the bigger darker and more intimidating the storm the better.
  • Have a simple object in the foreground, say an old gnarled tree, and let the darkened clouds compliment it-not detract from it.
  • If it's not to windy you can use a tripod and a long shutter-speed to capture enough light.

Jul 9, 2008

But it's July!!!

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.