Photography Tip: Action Photography

Almost every photographer will want to take some sort of action shot eventually. In this post I will give you a few tips on how to get a good action shot. The first and one of the most important thing to remember is to set your shutter speed. If you go online you will find various recommended shutter speeds for different sports. You can try them out BUT I must warn you these are not always accurate. Also, you may want to try a different shutter speed depending on if you want to have a slight blur, freeze the action, etc. For most sports they will recommend a fast shutter speed with some few exceptions. Setting your aperture depends on the sport and your condition whether it is indoors or outdoors. For most outdoor sports you may want a smaller aperture than with indoor sports. Flash may be prohibited in some stadiums so make sure to check on that before using flash. Overall, I find the best pictures come from practice and experience so get out there and have fun!

Nature & Wildlife Photography

Nature and wildlife photography is something many photographers may want to try. It is fairly easy with some practice and the proper equipment. Firstly you will probably want a 350mm and up lens. You will probably also want a macro lens. This all depends on your needs and primary usage. In most cases you may want to have a tripod as well. It is up to you to decide between manual or auto focus. I also recommend getting a lens with image stabilization which is useful with capturing shots of quick animals. I recommend about 350-450mm lenses for the majority of animals but about 500-600mm lens for birds. A macro lens is also extremely useful for flower and foliage or insect photography. You should also use a quick shutter speed. I recommend shooting during the day at a time when you don't need flash as to not scare the animals. So good luck and have fun!

Ghost Shots

Ghost shots is the name I have given to pictures like the ones above. In this entry I will explain to you how to get a good ghost shot. First of all you need a camera with manual controls or shutter priority, a tripod, and a subject. Once you set your camera on the tripod set a slow shutter speed of about 0.5. Then, ask your subject to run in front of your camera and time it so you take the picture when he is in front of your camera. Then you have your very first ghost shot. The reason for this is since you have such a long shutter speed the shutter opens when your subject is there but your subject is gone by the time it closes. So, since it was able to capture your subject as well as everything behind it you can see "through" your subject.

Photography Tip: Shutter Speed

Most Cameras with a manual mode have the ability to control shutter speed. Knowing how to control your shutter speed is an essential skill for a photographer. Shutter speed is the amount of time the lens is open allowing light in to capture the image. The standard speed before going to a high end Digital SLR is around 1/1000 of a second. Shutter speed is represented with fractions or whole numbers fractions are fractions of a second and whole numbers mean whole seconds. Usually with action shots you need quick shutter speeds and you usually need slow shutter speeds for firework or night photography. If you go online you will find recommended shutter speeds for different shots and although it is helpful to know them I recommend testing them so that you don't miss that perfect shot.

Cleaning your lenses

Cleaning camera lenses is something most photographers have to do to get rid of unwanted dust particles or fingerprints. With the right equipment this could be a quick and simple process. Somethings you may need for this is a LensPen usually under $15, some lens tissues usually around $5, and an air blower also around $5. Now a quick tip I want to give you is to not use a microfiber since it will leave fibers on the lens. Also, don't use rubbing alcohol (it is bad for the lens) and if you have a cleaning solution for lenses spray it on the tissue NOT the lens. Ok, so first of all you are going to want to take the air blower and blow air on the lens to get rid of any loose particles. Next, take your lens tissue (this is the time to pour any cleaning solutions onto the tissue) and rub in small circular motions all over the lens. Lastly, take your LensPen and, using the brush softly go over your lens then twist the cap and use the side with the carbon solution to remove all fingerprints and oils. Now, your done you can put the cap on your lens and put it in your camera bag. Another thing I suggest doing is buying a UV filter usually around $20 to protect your lens from scratches and dust while in use. Although many people don't like the idea of a UV filter at first it is much better to buy a $20 filter than a few thousand dollars lens.

Camera Gear: Tripods

Tripods are usually an essential piece of equipment for all serious photographers. Tripods come in different shapes and sizes and different legs and heads. Each photographer might prefer a different style tripod to the next depending on their needs. Tripods usually go from around $30 to hundreds and maybe a thousand dollars. Most heavy tripods tend to be a bit sturdier than their lighter counterparts. This is because they are made of sturdier (but heavier) materials. Most people with point and shoot camera's would get along fine with a cheaper tripod. However, if you have a Digital SLR you may prefer a more durable (and expensive) tripod. My advice when purchasing a tripod is to try several different combinations of legs and heads and consider your main uses for the tripod and buy the one that fits you best.

Photography: The Art

Most people think of photography as something as simple as pressing a button to take pictures. People will criticize you on your passion for photography or if you make your living as a photographer they will say just how 'easy' your job is. But what they don't realize is that photography is an art. The camera is your paintbrush, your subject, lighting, etc. are your colors and the world is your canvas. But none of these things would have value without the proper artist to use them. We all have similar materials but it is the way we use them that defines our style and taste. So get out there and paint, experiment with different brushes and colors and never forget that you don't need to be a professional with expensive equipment to be a great artist.

Choosing Your Camera

Choosing a camera is the first step to becoming a photographer. Different people have different needs. Most people new to photography may be inclined towards buying a point and shoot. That is perfectly fine, however, most people who buy a point and shoot but want to learn how to become a professional photographer end up disappointed because P&S cameras usually have extremely few manual controls. That is why i advise getting a more advanced camera but probably not an SLR for your first camera. Some nice options are the Kodak Easyshare z812 IS, Fujifilm Finepix S1600, Canon Powershot SX20 IS, etc. Some people who can afford it or have some more experience will probably want an SLR or Digital SLR. Now some of the main differences between these cameras are the availability of manual controls, mirrors/sensors, interchangeable lenses, flash hotshoes, etc. So my advice on buying a camera is to set a budget to stick to, do your research, listen to advice from friends, family, co-workers, professionals, etc. but most of all get out there and try all the cameras and find the one that's right for you because photography is like an art and not everyone will share your same tastes.