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01/12/2006 11:05:16 AM · #1 |
My photo club meeting is tonight and the open discussion topic is "Tips and Tricks."
Just in case the club members don't bring up enough to fill the discussion, can anyone offer any? Some days at the meeting I just get a lot of blank stares.
I'm open for anything (photo related) but would prefer to have a lot of short simple things like always shoot a photo with your camera before you leave the house to verify you have the battery and card, always be aware of your background...
I'm looking forward to the responses. |
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01/12/2006 11:13:36 AM · #2 |
Remove lense cap before taking pictures
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01/12/2006 11:14:07 AM · #3 |
| Check your diopter adjustment. |
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01/12/2006 11:14:10 AM · #4 |
Never use a drunk for a tripod
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01/12/2006 11:16:51 AM · #5 |
"ALWAYS be aware of your horizon when framing an image; nothing ruins an otherwise decent landscape more than a tilted horizon."
"Preset your settings in the various modes BEFORE you start shooting. Example; you're going out to shoot landscapes, handheld, in daylight, so preset Av at f/11, Tv at 1/250, Manual at f/11 & 1/250. If you swotch between modes in the field, it will revert to the last-used setting on that mode."
"Get in the habit of resetting your ISO, quality and camera modes to your preferred defaults every time you return from a photo shoot; for example, ISO 200, Av, and RAW are my normal modes, although I may adjust any of them in the field."
R. |
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01/12/2006 11:17:11 AM · #6 |
Desert photography tip:
Never bend way over to take a picture when standing directly in front of a Teddybear cholla.
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01/12/2006 11:24:44 AM · #7 |
When out on a photo safari where pictures cannot be easily retaken liberally use the image review zoom feature of your camera to check focus of pictures taken. It is hard to tell otherwise. It is amazing how often it is not and a bummer when you get home and are disappointed.
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01/12/2006 11:27:06 AM · #8 |
If you shoot JPG then CHECK the white bal (I wiped out a number of shots this way).
I second the CHECK the ISO thing (if your camera does not do the auto ISO thing).
Change the camera settings to NOT shoot without a card (I changed this out of the box cause I know this would happen to me at some point if I didn't).
Scan the edges of the viewfinder for stuff you don't want in the picture.
Use the DOF preview button if you have one, as it really is pretty useful if you are unsure of what will be in sharp focus. |
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01/12/2006 11:28:43 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
"ALWAYS be aware of your horizon when framing an image; nothing ruins an otherwise decent landscape more than a tilted horizon."
"Preset your settings in the various modes BEFORE you start shooting. Example; you're going out to shoot landscapes, handheld, in daylight, so preset Av at f/11, Tv at 1/250, Manual at f/11 & 1/250. If you swotch between modes in the field, it will revert to the last-used setting on that mode."
"Get in the habit of resetting your ISO, quality and camera modes to your preferred defaults every time you return from a photo shoot; for example, ISO 200, Av, and RAW are my normal modes, although I may adjust any of them in the field."
R. |
You're so wright! I've experienced some badmistakes because I didnt reset the cemera setings to my next work. And for example I've shoot at daylight with iso 800 because of this.
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01/12/2006 11:31:24 AM · #10 |
Use a wide angle lens when taking pictures in a group setting where there are other photographers trying to take similar pictures, that way you can stand in front without the other photographers getting in your way.
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01/12/2006 11:33:05 AM · #11 |
Never photoshop a mustache on your wife.
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01/12/2006 11:41:30 AM · #12 |
Hire someone to carry your backpack, tripod, and other heavy gear on those long hikes up and down canyons.
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01/12/2006 11:48:57 AM · #13 |
If possible, study the subject carefully before shooting:
1-Decide what the main subject is
2-Study it
3-Highlight it in the photograph through DOF, rules of thirds, leading lines, perspective or some other interesting way
4-Use natural elements for framing to draw attention to the main subject
5-Check your lighting
6-When possible eliminate distracting elements
7-Always go to the bathroom before a long photo session
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01/12/2006 11:49:53 AM · #14 |
Double check your camera bag is closed correctly before doing anything whatsoever with it.
Mini flashlights are handy for macro-photography in the field to highlight stationary subjects.
Buy a pair of cheap gloves and cut holes where your fingers can come out. It's hard making adjustments when your fingers are twice the size and you don't feel the buttons.
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01/12/2006 11:54:54 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by stdavidson:
Use a wide angle lens when taking pictures in a group setting where there are other photographers trying to take similar pictures, that way you can stand in front without the other photographers getting in your way. |
Great tip; Love it, but I thought that was the main use for those bean bag things - throwing at people in your way :-) |
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01/12/2006 11:56:42 AM · #16 |
- take a complete set of extra clothing, including boots, if you are going to be near water - never know when you might fall in and need to run back and change quickly so you can resume shooting. And a soft cloth to drive off any equipment that got wet.
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01/12/2006 12:00:56 PM · #17 |
Rule of thumb : If your shutter speed is less than 1/[focal length], you risk losing sharpness due to camera shake.
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01/12/2006 12:04:33 PM · #18 |
If your camera has a histogram display then learn to use it.
General rules:
1-A properly exposed image will have a histogram that is evenly spread across the whole display or centered in the display
2-If the histogram display is shifted way to the left the image will be underexposed and will have a higher amount of electronic noise. Don't be fooled that it has a more saturated color display
3-If shifted way to the right the image is over exposed, you will premanently loose image detail and it will be washed out
These are general rules. Any individual lighting condition may violate them for special effect.
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01/12/2006 12:09:14 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by gloda:
Double check your camera bag is closed correctly before doing anything whatsoever with it. |
This also applies to your pants zipper when taking portraits in a studio setting... unless you are going for candid expressions.
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01/12/2006 12:22:26 PM · #20 |
Important etiquette tip:
Never ask to take nude photographs on the first date.
Message edited by author 2006-01-12 13:00:00.
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01/12/2006 12:28:52 PM · #21 |
When shooting portraits..place the lens upper-chest/just below chin level height to the subject, that goes for kids too!
It keeps the perspective correct, encourages a good head position and eye direction.
Message edited by author 2006-01-12 12:30:37. |
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01/12/2006 01:26:33 PM · #22 |
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01/12/2006 04:27:10 PM · #23 |
Hokie, how can you then actually see what you're doing? Does your technique imply one of those special viewfinders?
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