An Old Dog - "SORRY" - A More Mature Dog Can Learn New Tricks !
I looked over at Kris. He was doing something strange with the top of a bag of chips and it got my attention. My curiosity got the better of me, so I stopped the movie and asked what he was doing. He was folding the top of the chip bag onto the inside, just like you would roll up a shirt sleeve. “It stops the bag from rustling and annoying everyone while I eat my chips," he explained.
Wow!! Go figure. It really did work. I guarantee next time you are eating chips, you will try it.
I hope that with that image, I have your attention!
If not, I have a great movie you may borrow.
It got me thinking about all the little things I do in photography that I take for granted. Things that make photography work flow a lot simpler or easier. So, I thought I would pass a few along. I should just quantify this by saying, I did not think of any of these things myself. To clarify, these simple tips are things I have read about along the way or saw on a photography site.
My Canon 5D remote release
One of the items that I use 95% of the time while I am taking pictures, is a remote release – it just makes the job so much easier. When you are using a tripod, it is a must to stop any sort of camera vibration when you press the shutter manually.
Apart from that, you can look up away from the viewfinder and time your shot better - especially if you are waiting for a wave to break or a lull in the wind to stop blowing flowers or trees around.
Anyone who has ever used a cable release knows how the 3ft cord can be a pain. If gets tangled around the tripod legs, and it dangles around when you take the camera off the tripod. This is really annoying when you are walking around looking for a better composition.
Glue a small piece of Velcro onto the remote and sew another piece onto your camera strap. Simple right?
There you have it a rustle free bag of chips a tangle free remote.
In the past, I've done what I'm sure most of you have done - tucked the camera inside my jacket or put it into a camera bag. The only problem is that most camera bags are not completely waterproof. Plus, in the summertime I very often don’t have a jacket.
FREE - Hotel Shower Caps
What's the solution? Keep a couple of those free hotel shower caps in your bag or pocket. The elasticated band allows the shower cap to fit securely over the camera or lens a treat.
I also once read once about a photographer shooting through a shower cap to get a soft focus sort of effect. He must have been having an real uninteresting type of day.
But to be honest, the images were quite good.
I also once read once about a photographer shooting through a shower cap to get a soft focus sort of effect. He must have been having an real uninteresting type of day.
But to be honest, the images were quite good.
Now, I own a small Hotel, so I will be counting them if you stay here and if
“Mr. Holiday Inn” calls, I will deny it was my idea.
“Mr. Holiday Inn” calls, I will deny it was my idea.
Lastly, this is more of an aid to a technique tip. I do a lot of photography using a huge depth of field. In order to achieve this, I focus using the hyperfocal distance technique.
If you want to understand the science behind hyperfocal distance focusing, this website is a great start: http://www.johnhendry.com/
In a nut shell, if you focus ahead of the nearest element in your image that you want to be sharp by the right amount - which is determined by your focal length and the aperture you are using - you can produce one of those really nice images that you see where the boulder at the front of the image and the mountains on the horizon are all sharp and in focus.
Once I have my shot composed, I look at the chart and see at 24mm and f8, if you focus at 8.44ft your image will be sharp from 4.22 feet to infinity.
You can make one of these charts by visiting the website listed above. Its the same site to read about hyperfocal distance focusing. You just enter your lens details and the information is provided for you. My chart is printed on a 3 x 4 inch card and is laminated. This chart is always in my shirt pocket when I'm out shooting.
I hope you find these tips useful. If you have any of your own, please share them in the comments section.
Turns out, you can always teach "someone" new tricks.
Until next time - Have fun.
Until next time - Have fun.
0 comments:
Post a Comment