About Greta Jacobs

With a background in media and design, Greta has an eye for innovative and mind-blowing photographic techniques. She studied photography for over five years and started practicing from college. Her inclination to arts is another asset you will notice in her in depth posts.

Macro Photography 101: Equipment and Techniques

 

Macro photography can be a powerful tool for creating spectacular photos. It can be quite challenging to find the right equipment or the appropriate techniques for the kind of subject you want to shoot. That is why we have compiled a complete guide which will give you the basic tips to get you started on it.

Macro Photography 101

What is Macro Photography?

The definition of macro photography might seem counterintuitive since it refers to taking photos of really small things – be they small objects or creatures, or detailed parts of bigger things. It can be both challenging and gratifying to try this style of photography.

Ratios are important in order to understand the basics of macro photography, even though for digital cameras they do not matter as much as they used to. The closer you get to the object, the smaller the ratio gets.

Equipment: Macro Lenses

The first thing you should have is any type of DSLR camera; your iPhone won’t help you. With that in mind, the next thing on your list should be a macro lens. You can find great macro lenses from Canon and Nikon, which are specially made for focusing at a short distance.

Filters

Macro Photography 101: Equipment and Techniques

A filter works similarly to a magnifying glass. This is one of the reasons for which getting a filter might not help out much in terms of quality. You can find filters that come in packs, with a different magnifying power for each of them. You can also stack filters together to increase the power of your camera, but this will decrease the quality of the photo.

Extension Tubes

The great thing about extension tubes is that you can start a DIY project to obtain them. Any tube you have around the house could serve as the basis for a macro tube, and you can find many online tutorials for beginners, which will get you started.

If you are not the DIY type, then you can also buy macro extension tubes for a reasonable amount of money. These tubes also come in packs and can be stacked to shoot from a closer range. Unlike filters, extension tubes do not lead to a poorer quality of your photos.

Tripod

Tripods can help improve macro photography because they keep your camera really still. No matter how good you are with your hands, nothing beats a tripod. Even the tiniest move can majorly impact your end result, so a tripod will make sure you get a super shot with the minimum of effort.

Macro Rails

Macro rails are a good product to have around if you also need to move your camera around when taking macro shots. A rail will help you move your camera back and forth, left and right, with the use of a simple knob.

General Advice for Macro Techniques

Macro Photography 101: Equipment

The best advice you can get is that you should always try to move the object closer to your camera and not the camera closer to the subject. Moving the camera will change your frame considerably, even if you don’t have a wide one.

Choosing your subject

Choosing a subject for your shot is the first thing you will consider. Obviously, a landscape shot is out of the questions, but interesting subjects include food, flowers, eyes, or pages of books. The more still your subject is, the better. An eye might seem still, but don’t forget it is attached to a person who will find it quite painful not to blink.

Lighting

Lighting can be very important when trying out macro photography. You don’t have to go to any extreme length to get the appropriate lighting, just make sure you are not shooting on a super sunny day. Flash is also not recommended unless you use a ring in order to take your photo. A ring flash can also be useful when taking indoor photos in a studio.

Focus Stacking

A general technique you can use when you have a shallow field depth is focus stacking. How can you do this? By combining several images taken in a sequence. If you can only focus on certain areas at a time, then the best thing to do is to combine multiple shots of the same subject to obtain a beautiful image. For this you will need the appropriate software which will combine all the shots, but you can easily find several free options online. You can also use this technique if you want to do without all the fancy equipment or accessories needed to obtain macro images.

Techniques Depending on Your Subject

Macro shooting techniques can vary greatly depending on the subject you are shooting. You can get as creative as you want in order to get a cool shot from an original angle, but you should bear in mind that different subjects require different approaches. We have compiled a list containing a few examples of techniques you can use for your macros. Who knows? Maybe you can also get some new ideas for perfect nature shots.

Insects

An insect can be a challenging thing to shoot since they can move quite a lot and, depending on the type of insect you are trying to photograph, they can also move rather quickly. Just think of how a spider moves! Avoid a fast mode of approaching the subject and take care you don’t cover them up with your shadow.

Plants and Flowers

A flower offers a beautiful spectacle inside a gallery, but make sure that when you are shooting it outside there is very little wind. Petals can be very gentle and even the slightest breeze will change their appearance. If the wind is a bit more rough than it should, try shooting sturdier plants that are unshakable.

In case you are up for a challenge, you can even try underwater macro photography. Just make sure you have the appropriate settings and setup. An online forum or a tutorial can get you a long way. Black and white macro shots can also be used for more abstract themes.

There’s nothing left to define, we have covered everything you need to know about macro photography. You can now start your amazing journey into the world of Lilliputians!

Image sources: 1, 2, 3

Halloween Photography Ideas: Get Ready to Trick or Treat

Autumn is such an amazing season for vibrant, colorful photography! Now that the Halloween is just around the corner, it is about the right time to impress your viewers with some new photo tricks. Without further introduction, here are the Halloween photography ideas and tips we want to share with you. Don’t forget to spread the enthusiasm!

Eye the Wow Factor: Shoot a Halloween Parade

The beauty of this celebration is that everyone will dress-up.  Ghosts, witches, goblins, and monsters of all kinds will pervade the streets, all smiling and ready to be photographed. All you need for fantastic, memorable shots is to get out there with your camera in hand and see what tickles your imagination. Ghostly, spontaneous portraits are allowed. This is a simple point and shoot strategy. Photograph a Halloween parade and have some fun.

Halloween photography ideas shooting a parade

New York’s Village Halloween Parade, 2014

Capture the Atmosphere: The Challenge of Shooting in Dim Light

Shooting in low light settings is a real challenge if you are not well-equipped. A good DSLR can do the trick for you with a few adjustments, but if it lacks image stabilization, we recommend mounting low light, fast lenses.

However, there are a few tricks you can do and catch the Halloween feeling in your shots without employing extra equipment. Halloween photography should be all about having fun, not carrying around heavy gear.

Here’s what you can do to improve the accuracy of your images when shooting in dim light:

  1. Most cameras come with a Night Mode that allows you to capture your subjects in detail, and emphasize the setting at the same time. The disadvantage, though, is that, if your subjects don’t remain still, the images will get blurry.
  2. What you can do best is take full control of your camera settings. Start by selecting a high ISO speed (400 or more). The downside of doing it is getting noisier images. But if you know your camera well enough, you’ll find the right value.

Learn more about ISO meaning and uses in photography. Leave the flash at home and experiment more.

  1. Don’t forget to select a slower shutter speed when adjusting the ISO sensitivity. If you want to capture a sense of speed or, on the contrary, to freeze the moment, we’ve got the best techniques for shutter speed photography explained here.
  2. Choose a wide aperture and shoot in RAW format if possible. This way you will avoid a reduction of the image’s saturation.

By increasing the aperture, more light will get into your camera’s lens. This will also result in a shallow depth of field. If you wish to learn more about how aperture affects the quality of your images, check out our article on aperture settings and techniques.

  1. Use a tripod. To get astounding night photographs, you need to control the composition of your shots. The easiest way to achieve great exposure is by keeping your camera still.

Consider Candid Photo Techniques

I cannot conceive Halloween photography in the absence of a few candid shots. Move around, experiment shooting from different angles, mix the perspectives, and be ready to take some unusual group pics.

Halloween Photography

Capture a Spider Trick

What I love about candid photography is that it doesn’t require posing. It is all about picturing how people interact and enjoy their time. Plus, candid photos add fun and a sense of story to the images.

Choose Your Time Wisely

Shooting in low light does not necessarily mean to wait until the night comes. Profit from the magical hour (actually, those 20 minutes before and after the sun goes down) and make your subjects look like fairy-tale characters.

This is also the perfect time to take incredible silhouette images by playing with shadows and backlighting. As a top tip, try taking photos of your subjects holding lit pumpkins. Position them against the sky at dusk for a more dramatic effect.

We’ve got more golden hour photography tips to help you find the best perspectives.

halloween photography - scary pumpkin

Halloween Scary Pumpkin – Autumnl Setting

Focus on Halloween Photography Props

Halloween pictures are all about capturing the spooky mood. Try setting up a bit the areas you photograph. Bring on the devilish cakes and spooky decorations.

What you can also do is find innovative ways to light your images. You know, this is the only time of the year when taking creepy photographs is entirely acceptable. Use flashlights, lit pumpkins, or glow sticks to accentuate the spooky traits of the characters your subjects impersonate by pointing them up, at their face. Also, you can photograph them with and without their masks.

Focusing on Halloween props shouldn’t be something static or boring. Besides a few close-ups of bleeding cakes and creepy cocktails, make Jack-o-lantern the main character of a time-lapse video. You can also capture the pumpkin’s transformation in a series of creative pics.

Dress-Up. Enjoy Halloween.

You cannot naturally interact with your subjects if not dressed-up. Play your role and you’ll make everyone feel more comfortable. Make it fun. Make it exciting. Don’t be afraid to go overboard with your shots. It’s Halloween!

Helpful Baby Photography Ideas & Tips

Who does not love newborn baby photography? Although we all love it, it can be a real challenge to convince the little ones to stay the way we want to for a photo shoot session. That is why we’ve gathered a few baby photography ideas and tips for both parents and photographers.

A successful baby photo shoot should include the following: an attractive decor, a few funny props and, of course, the baby model. There are other aspects to consider too. Patience is the keyword and we mean it! Having to get that perfect angle or moment worthy of a photo album can take quite some time.

Without further introduction, let’s take a look at the baby photography tips and ideas we have stored for our readers.

Baby Photography

1. No Hungry Babies Allowed

Although it might sound ridiculous and many people overlook this aspect, this is one crucial aspect to take into account. A hungry baby is a cranky baby. So before initiating the photo shoot make sure the little one is well fed. Another benefit is that if the baby eats well before commencing the photo shoot, then most likely he will doze off at one point. This is, of course, an excellent moment to take some cute and lovable snapshots.

2. Unique Baby Photography Props

Try using a variety of unique, fun props. When we say props, we mainly refer to blankets and other fabrics. They may include silk, fur, velvet or wool. Just envision the cuteness of a baby burrito. For more inspiration, we invite you to check out our post on 5 must-have newborn photography props.

3. Family Portrait

A lovely baby photograph must also include the family. Having the parents sitting next to, or holding the newborn baby will surely make for a very emotional pic.

4. No Flash, Please!

One of the worst ideas possible when taking newborn baby photographs is to use the flash. They simply cannot stand it. So find a spot with natural light and profit from it.

5. Monochrome Pics

Black and white photos will never lose their charm. Monochrome pics are a safe choice for a baby photo album too. If, for instance, you get hired for a baby shower photography shoot, include black & white images as well. This will create a beautiful effect and a long lasting memory. Not to mention that the picture might make a beautiful cover of the family photo album.

6. Playing with Poses

Pretty straightforward, just find those poses that the baby enjoys the most. One can spend hours searching for the best, funniest poses for their babies. Make it fun. Stimulate the parents’ imagination.

Baby Photography

7. The Secret of a  Comfortable Environment

Both the baby and the parents should feel comfortable during the photo session. A good idea would be to increase the heat. Although adults might be prone to sweating, the babies will enjoy the extra warmth. Parents will also feel more relaxed seeing their child is feeling good.

8. Creativity vs Professionalism

Do not concern yourself with being too professional. In such scenarios, the most important thing is to take the photos that will speak to the viewer.

9. Relaxing Music 

Babies are used to sounds even before they are born. When still in their mothers wombs they hear and even get familiar with a multitude of sounds. From their mother’s heartbeat, blood circulation, digestive system all the way to outer world sounds, such as traffic and much more, babies can hear many things. So consider playing some relaxing music. This will help both infants and parents relax.

10. Swaddled Baby Poses

Some of the cutest poses out there requires the baby to be wrapped. What is important here is to make the baby feel comfortable. Additionally, a nice idea might be that of swaddling and swaying the baby. Babies love to be swayed. By doing so, you can make them fall asleep. Just keep the baby’s blanket a bit loose, to make the baby feel comfortable and look pretty.

11. Consecutive Shots 

Do not try to capture one single perfect moment and thus wait for it. Take instead multiple, consecutive shots. So rest assured, out of 40 consecutive shots taken at least one will be the prize winner.

12. Make the Baby Laugh

A happy, smiling baby can only mean one thing in this context: a lovely baby photograph. Try catching the baby’s attention and make him laugh, from hide and seek behind the palms to funny faces and goofy sounds. The baby will love them and make us smile in return once we see his or her adorable happy reaction.

Baby Photography

Taking a lovely baby photograph is not hard, but it takes patience and experience. The secret is to make the baby feel comfortable. Invest into making a comfy environment, for both kids and parents. Babies are well attuned to their parents’ emotion. Learn how to help babies and mothers relax during newborn photography in our post. Other than that, try to act naturally and enjoy the photo session. In the end, this experience should be fun for babies, parents, and the photographer too.

We hope our tips will prove most useful to you. Do you have other baby photography ideas and suggestions to share with us? Feel free to leave a message in the comment section below. Until next time, happy photographing everyone!

Image Sources: Pixabay.

Amazing Travel Photography Locations For This Summer

We know that all photography enthusiasts have a ‘bucket list’ of travel destinations they dream of shooting. Even so, there’s always room for more inspiration and useful tips. That’s why we’ve come up with a short selection of travel photography locations you can enjoy visiting and shooting this summer. Ready to be amazed?

Location: The Great Barrier Coral Reef

Located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, the Great Coral Reef expands onto 2.300 km and around 900 islands, making it the largest coral reef system in the world. The stunning structure created by living organisms can be seen from outer space and offers a variety of wonderful spectacles. The Great Barrier Coral Reef was made a World Heritage Site in 1981 and it amazed marine-biologists as well as tourists from all over the world. Although facing a series of environmental threats, this destination still remains a hot-spot for scuba divers, tourists, and photographers.

Fish in the Coral Barrier Reef

Photo Tip: Make sure to be accompanied by professional scuba divers if you are still at the beginning of your scuba lessons. Other than that, the very diverse marine ecosystem offers countless hours of photo-sessions.

Recommended Equipment: It would be great if you could hire underwater lenses. For spectacular results, we recommend experimenting with fisheye lenses such as Nikon 10.5mm fisheye lens or Tokina 10-17mm fisheye.

Location: Barcelona

The capital of Catalonia, Barcelona offers many tourist hot-spots and an endless array of sights worth photographing. Falling heavily under the architecture style of Antoni Gaudi, including his famous unfinished Sagrada Familia, Barcelona attracts travelers by its sheer beauty and stunning culture. Including the Sagrada Familia, other places worth photographing are the Montjuic Park, La Pedrera (another one of Antoni Gaudi’s famous buildings), Guell Park, Poble Espanyol, La Seu Cathedral, Palau de la Musica Catalana and the list can continue. From fine sandy beaches to impressive architectural feats, Barcelona has much to offer to every travel photography enthusiast.

architectural detail from La Sagrada Familia

Photo Tip: Time! Barcelona hosts a vast number of attractions, too many to count, so be sure to take your time and try to go through as many as you can.

Recommended Equipment: For urban shots, we suggest using a good wide-angle lens so you can capture as broad areas of view as possible. Macro lenses might also be useful for stunning close-ups of architectural details.

Location: Venice

It is hard to make a top of amazing travel photography destinations without including the city of Venice. Built by the Roman Empire, the city of Venice rose to fame especially during the Middle Ages when it became one of Europe’s most important centers of commerce. Originally a shallow swamp-land, the unique pillars onto which the city was built are still regarded as an impressive engineering feat, almost all being unchanged since the city’s creation. This most famous city includes a vast number of tourist hot-spots such as the Doge Palace, Piazza San Marco, the Murano islands, the Grand Canal and of course St Mark’s Basilica. The city also hosts a film festival making it one of the best photography destinations, especially for loving couples.

beautiful night picture in Venice

Photo Tip: Photographs taken while on a gondola can amaze any viewer, especially due to the magnificent surroundings in Venice, offering the chance to photograph streets, houses, parks, as well as some of its most impressive monuments.

Recommended Equipment: Night scenes over Venice are truly spectacular. Make sure you take a tripod with you so to avoid blurry pictures.

Location: Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Changing a bit the perspective, the Easter Island is one of those haunting places capable of unleashing anybody’s imagination. The moai, Ester Island’s famous statues make for epic pictures. Every year the place comes to life with feats, music, parades, traditional dance and sports during the Tapati Rapa Nui festival.  What is really impressive is the way local culture is celebrated. Tapati Rapa Nui welcomes visitors from around the world, but at the same time it is a festival made for locals. Have we stirred up your curiosity? The Easter Island definitely makes for an un-missable photo and traveling experience.

Easter Island - The Moai Statues

Photo Tip: If you cannot be there during the festival and take a few magical shots, don’t worry. Nothing beats a picture of the stone statuary under a starry sky.

Recommended Equipment: Don’t forget to pack your tripod and, if possible, use an aspherical wide-angle lens. Rokinon 24 mm f/1.4 for Canon is ideal for night photography and especially for astrophotography.

Location: Danube Delta

Finally, we decided to include one of Europe’s most stunning ecosystems. The Danube Delta is located in Romania and hosts over 300 species of birds and 45 species of freshwater fish. This eerie ecosystem impresses due to the little impact it suffered from mankind. Frequent tours via the Danube, which springs from the Black Forrest Mountains in Germany and flows into the Black Sea, can be made by crossing several capital-cities such as Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Bratislava. Best period to visit the Danube Delta is from late spring to early autumn when warm temperatures allow for all sorts of activities such as boat rides, fishing, sightseeing, birdwatching and, of course, stunning photo shootings.

Panorama over the Danube Delta

Photo Tip: As a valuable tip for all those passionate about nature photography, be sure to capture this unique biosphere reservation in all its splendor. The Danube Delta is ideal for wild photography holidays. Also, if you enjoy admiring nature’s treasures in solitude, there are a few secluded beaches worth visiting and shooting at Sulina and Sf Gheorghe, two of the three channels. The misty mornings and fiery sunsets make for astonishing golden hour pictures.

Recommended Equipment: For stunning images, especially when shooting from bigger distances, we recommend using wide angle zooms. These lenses will allow zooming out and capturing more of the surroundings at the same time. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?

We hope you enjoyed our travel photography location ideas and tips. Do you have in mind any other iconic locations and dream destinations? Feel free to drop us a line and share with us your travel photography ‘bucket list’.

Image Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Light and Shadow: Two Powerful Photography Tools

Quality photography relies heavily on light. The very meaning of the word “photography” underlines the importance of finding the perfect lighting balance, as it stems from two Greek words: “phos” (meaning light) and “graphis” (which translates into drawing). But despite the fact that most photographers would argue endlessly over the fact that lighting is everything, there is exquisite creative potential in the lack of this highly praised element.

Though often overlooked, shadows can only exist in the presence of light. Oxymoronic, I know, but light would be nothing were it not for the shadows it casts. Learning how to manipulate shadows and seamlessly incorporate them into your composition is an essential element of any photographer’s skillset.

A photograph of a bicycle casting a shadow on the wall

With that in mind, grab your camera, at least one subject and let’s get started!

The Importance of Shadows

We have to stop thinking of shadows as mere dark masses bordering the light. For without shadows, there would be nothing to draw attention to the light we speak so highly of. When correctly using shadows, photographers discover unique opportunities. Before getting down and dirty with techniques you are not familiar with, make sure to visit the exhibitions of experienced photographers and draw inspiration from there.

Creating context and adding drama to a composition is one of the main uses of shadows. Viewers are naturally drawn to areas in your picture where high tonal contrasts exist and such contrasts are impossible without shadows. As such, light by itself could never be able to create the subtle nuances that shadows make possible.

Beautiful composition of the sun shining through the branches of a tree. The branches cast shadows on the snow.

This exquisite photograph, for instance, perfectly uses the juxtaposition shadows and sepia tones to add warmth to an otherwise chilly winter day.

Apart from creating contrast, shadows also allow photographers to focus a viewer’s attention to what is most important in the composition. On the one hand, shadows can be manipulated to remove irrelevant details from portions of the photograph that aren’t as important as others.

Shadow photography portrait showcasing a beautiful model whose face is contoured by cones of shadow.

This photographs creates a striking contrast between the model’s eyes and the rest of her features, which are hidden in cones of shadows falling at different angles.

Photographers can also use shadows to highlight the model’s qualities: from the striking innocence of a child’s face to the subtle sensuality of a female model, everything lies in correct positioning and the artist’s unique view.

two shadow portraits of an innocent child and a sensual woman, both highlighted by correct shadow placement

Another exquisite use of shadow allows photographers to reveal texture. Such images are obtained when the illuminating body (in most cases the sun) is found at a low angle to the horizon, so as to cast shadows across the terrain. Such compositions allow for the textures of certain objects to be emphasized.

use of shadow photography to highlight sand texture

Correctly Including Shadows in Your Composition

Photographing shadows isn’t the easiest task, especially since most settings will cause the targeted shadows to come out too light. Capturing shadows involves a series of tweaks which may contradict a camera’s essential purpose (which is to expose the film to enough light to make the detail visible).

So when you’ve set your mind on shadow photography, be sure to:

  • Switch from automatic to manual mode. Not a beginner photographer’s best friend, manual mode allows you to set the aperture time, ISO value and shutter speed. As such, you are in full control of what your camera is capturing. Beginners may copy the values from these settings from those used by your automatic mode. Tweak and alter each individual setting to identify precisely what you need.
  • Use the exposure lockdown feature when available. DSLR cameras often include an exposure lock feature in their settings menu. Experiment with this feature to include that part of your scene which doesn’t lie in the shadow and use the automatic exposure calculators to obtain exposed highlights contrasting with deep shadows.
  • Consider exposure value compensation. Digital cameras allow photographers to quickly assess their work and if your composition seems to be too bright, slight exposure value tweaks may correct the issue. Lower exposure values to deepen shadows or increase it if your composition is too dark.
  • Bracketing helps. An alternative is to bracket your image by taking successive shots at different exposures. Although high-range cameras (and several mid-range ones) include BKT buttons which have this feature build in, you can achieve the same results with lower-range cameras by simply using manual mode and taking different shots at alternating exposure value compensations.

Tips and Tricks for Shadow Photography

Now that we’ve gotten the technical aspects out of the way, let’s discuss some tips to help you with your creative process. Shadows are excellent starting points especially when you lack a muse.

With that in mind, please remember that a shadow is not the same thing as a silhouette. While silhouettes represent the outline or the dark shape of a specific object or being against a lighter background, shadows represent the shapes or areas formed when objects come between the illuminating body and a surface.

Most photographers find their inspiration looking up or around, so paying attention to the sidewalk or the ground will be a new experience, especially if you haven’t worked with shadows before. But, though unsurprising, you’re only going to find shadows on the ground or against walls. Start actively searching for shadows and seeking inspiration in places yet undiscovered.

stunning contrast between the shadows cast by the building's columns and the girl dancing between them

The human eye enjoys symmetry and shadow patterns create unique compositions which are particularly appealing. Combining shadows and patterns can yield sublime results, so shift angles and experiment with positions to see whether you can capture interesting patterns.

Monochrome and black-and-white compositions are also a good option especially when the shadow you’re photographing is the center-piece of your composition. By removing the colors which would otherwise compete with your viewer’s perception, you’re setting yourself up for great results. Strong, graphical shapes fare best in monochrome, especially when captured from unexpected angles.

Numerous artists have played with shadow compositions. Denis Buchel, for instance, recently won an award for his divine composition focusing on Istanbul’s dim sunset light and the long, converging shadows cast by the people and trees it encountered.

stunning photograph of a hot Istanbul day with converging shadows

Shadow photography is a subtle art and requires a trained hand. It will take time to learn precisely how to incorporate the various elements, shapes and textures to obtain the perfect picture, so give yourself the time to get there. And allow yourself to experiment (even when the experiments don’t produce the results you’d expect). It’s all part of the learning process!

Photo credits: 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7

Pet Photography Tips & Tricks

As fun as it may look like, pet photography can be a tough nut to crack. Apart from having the appropriate equipment and skill, it takes a bit more of patience and genuine care for your models. Don’t worry! We are here to provide you with special tips and ideas on how to create the best pet photo shooting atmosphere. Dealing with the technical side of the story is equally important, so make sure you stop our useful camera settings and tricks. Let’s get started!

Pet Photography Tips for a Relaxed Photo Shooting

Pets are like little kids. They need careful attention and a nice, clean environment. What we recommend is choose a location they like, either indoor or outdoor and photograph them in familiar environment. The context of your photo shooting is as important as your model. As long as you make sure your pet feels comfortable, you can achieve great results.

Treat to Trick!

One of the best tricks for a successful pet photo shooting is to treat your pet. Think of the rewards he enjoys the most and you cannot possibly go wrong with it. Not only that your dog will love you (if it’s a cat it will love you for a minute, maybe), but you will also take some great shots. You can use their favorite food or toys as props as well.

Have Some Fun!

Now that you have created a relaxed atmosphere you can have some fun! Whether you have a lazy cat, a playful dog or a noisy parrot, be creative and experiment with different props and accessories.

Here are some funny must-have pet photography props:

  • A Washing Machine (be careful with that!)

pet photography using a washing machine as a prop

  • A Small Boat (who would have thought boats are for cats?)

pet photography using a small boat as a prop

  • Books and Glasses (for a smart, hipsterish look)

pet photography using books and glasses as props

  • A Fashionable Scarf and Flowers (why not?)

fashionable scarf for pet photography

  • A Crown (of course!)

crown for pet photography

Technical Pet Photography Tips

Shoot in Natural Light

Shooting in natural light is essential for all photography niches. When it comes to photographing your pet, all you can ask for is a nice, bright yet diffused morning light. If you choose to shoot indoors, try to photograph your model as close to the window as possible.

I wouldn’t recommend to use the flash only if it is absolutely necessary. It can be very annoying for your pet and the results can be disastrous.

Best Lenses for Pet Photography

Wide angle lenses should be your first choice when photographing your pet. Don’t be surprised if by using wider angle lenses you will capture pet photographs with a twist. Play with different angles and perspectives for more imaginative shots. Either you photograph them from their eye level, from the above or from below, these kind of lenses will provide your pictures with a broader perspective and some interesting effects.

Close-up Portraits

The eyes of your pet can say more than thousands words (if only they could speak!). That is why some of the best pet photographs you can take are close-up portraits.

Whether you want them to be dramatic or hilarious, pet portraits are very expressive and eye-catching. You know what the best thing is with close-up pet portraits? There are no props needed.

Here’s what you should do in order to get sharp close-up photos of your pet

  • Use manual focus on your camera and make sure you highlight their eyes.
  • Focus on your model while creating a blurry effect for the background. Set a wide aperture (f/2.8 should do the job), get close to your pet and shoot!

Outdoor Pet Photography Tips

  • Photograph Your Pet in Motion

Want to capture your pet enjoying some time outdoors? Choose a fine, sunny day, set your digital camera to shutter speed priority mode and to continuous focus and see how it goes.

  • Freeze the Moment!

Pets can be very playful which makes pet photography even more challenging. That is why a good DSLR and some patience are priceless. Set your camera on shutter speed mode, or if you feel confident enough operate in manual mode by setting a fast shutter speed and adjusting the aperture accordingly. All you need to do is anticipate a great moment for your shot and capture some joy!

Image Sources: Pinterest

Using the Best Techniques for Shutter Speed Photography

Today’s post focuses on photography techniques that will help you use the shutter speed both effectively and creatively. We hope this article will provide you with inspiration for a new day of work.

Shutter Speed Photography Techniques

Before getting into detail and discussing more complex aspects of shutter speed photography, let’s go back to the basics and see what shutter speed is and why it is essential to know how to use it for high quality photos. Shutter speed refers to the length of time the camera’s shutter is open when capturing an image. Also called exposure time, the shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second and seconds. [Read more…]

How to Improve Your Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is indubitably one of the most popular sectors of photography. But from beautiful to stunning, jaw-dropping landscape images is a long run. Wonder how to shoot astonishing landscapes? Check out our tips and tricks addressed both to amateurs and professional photographers wishing to improve their skills in this area.

1. Useful Equipment for Landscape Photography

Apart from a good digital camera, you should also consider taking some lenses and a tripod with you. You don’t need to spend a fortune on your gear, but there are a few basic things to consider.

To keep it short, here are the tools you need in order to enhance your landscape shooting:

  • Angle lenses

High quality landscape photography requires using wide angle lenses. Lenses in the 24-70mm range should help you reveal a broader perspective. Also, as more light gets through your lenses, a faster exposure time can be set, which will result in sharper images.

  • Tripods

We know that sturdy tripods are hard to carry, but if you want to better control the composition of your shots, these are essential tools to have them handy. Tripods are extremely useful when it comes to shooting long exposed images, as well as panoramas, as they help you keep the camera steady and align the pieces perfectly.

2. Basic Rules of Photography

There are rules of composition that need to be respected, many professionals say. We totally agree, but there also rules that can be creatively broken. Let’s have a look at what you can and what you cannot do when it comes to breaking rules in photography.

  • Rule of Thirds

The ‘Rule of Thirds’ refers to the process of composing images. According to this rule, you need to mentally divide the image into thirds and decide how your subject will fill each third of your photo in order to achieve more tension and interest in the composition. Basically, according to the Rule of Thirds, you shouldn’t just center your subject.

rule of thirds in landscape photography

  • Symmetry

You can either create or break symmetry in your landscape pictures depending on the effect you want to achieve. Yes, symmetry rules can be successfully broken sometimes.

  • Framing

Framing is important for pleasing the eye. Use natural frames such as trees, holes or archways. This will help the viewer focus more on the central subject or dominant elements in your picture.

3. Best Photography Techniques for Landscape Pictures

 

  • Depth of Field Techniques

Create more depth in your landscape images by using a small aperture (from F10 to F22) and ISO (100, 200, depending on light conditions). Also, set a longer exposure time for a greater sense of depth.

depth of field Landscape photography

  • Shutter Speed Techniques

Learn how to use the shutter speed function of your camera for amazing long exposed landscape images. Long exposures are great for shooting waterfalls and rivers. If you want to capture a sense of movement, set your camera on Shutter Speed Priority Mode and choose a long exposure time, preferably exceeding 2 seconds. Don’t forget to use a tripod!

long-exposed water landscape photography

  • Post-processing Techniques

Post-processing is really important in achieving quality results, and, why not, mind-blowing effects. For more useful info on how to enhance your photos from the post-processing perspective, check out our post on Editing Tips and Tricks for Landscape Photography, ranging from how to blend raw exposures to adding a surreal touch or element.

4. Looking for Creative Ideas?

Many brilliant projects are born not only of experience, but of experimentation as well. That is why we encourage both hobbyists and pros to experiment and play with settings and techniques as much as possible. You never know when a genial trick or idea hits you. Here are a few creative ideas for stunning landscape shots.

  • Add a magical touch to your landscape pictures, by profiting from the golden hour. Check out our post on Useful Golden Hour Photography Tips as we have already discussed how these few minutes after sunshine or before sunset can enhance your landscape photographs.

golden hour landscape photography example

  • Create a story by shooting the same landscape in different periods of the year. Shoot a seasonal calendar if you have the chance to go back to your perfect location.

landscape photography through seasons

  • Make a time-lapse video. For more inspiration watch Dustin Farrell’s video composed with raw images taken with a Canon 5D2 DSLR and processed with Adobe software. These beautiful landscapes are located in Arizona and Utah. Enjoy!

 

5. Search for New Gripping Ideas

There are so many extraordinary websites and portfolios of landscape photographers across the web! To drop just a few names, you should definitely take a look at the work of Randall Sanger, Daniel Kordan, Zach Schnepf, and Danny Seidman. And, just for fun, you can drop an eye on National Geographic Photos of the Day in the Landscape category from time to time.

Great landscape photography is not only about being technically correct. It involves creativity and emotion. Always convey a story or a feeling to your images.

Image Sources: 1,2,3,4,5

Food Photography Tips

Food photography is a flourishing photo niche giving photographers the opportunity to profitably diversify their portfolios. If you are looking for the ingredients that make the most mouth-watering photography recipe, you’ve come to the right place! Learn how to shoot and promote your photos in 10 easy steps. So, here are our food photography tips:

Step 1. Fresh or Cooked?

Selecting ingredients that best meet your food photography ideas is the first thing to consider. Be it fresh or cooked, try to avoid blandly colored ingredients or dishes.  Food photos are all about attractive shapes and appetizing colors. Once you’ve picked up the ingredients, find the perfect geometry.

Step 2. Spice it Up!

Next, you might think about adding more flavor to your food shots. Simply introduce some spices into the stage. Spices photos can be spectacular if you have the perfect eye for them. Don’t forget the basics: light, color and composition.

 food photograph featuring spices

Step 3. Less is More

One of the mistakes beginners tend to make when it comes to shooting food photography, is using too many props. The key to best food shots is using no more than three elements. Avoid a cluttered background as photographing your kitchen is not the case here. Go for fine crockery, stylish accessories like vintage tablecloths or cutlery, and fresh ingredients or spices.

Young Woman Practicing in Food photography

Step 4. Shoot in Natural Light

Just to highlight again how important lighting is for sharp results, I would say that light is for photography what water is for fish or oxygen for humans. Food photography requires a powerful lighting source, be it the sunlight or a flash. I would recommend using the first variant to get that realistic touch that tickles your appetite.

Step 5. Capture the Whole Process

Take before cooking, while cooking and after cooking shots so that you’ll have plenty of options to select from. Sometimes uncooked dishes are more eye-catching than final results.

Collage of women cooking healthy food at home in the kitchen

Step 6. Make it Look Professional

To make your food shots look professional, you may consider using a more professional equipment beside your digital camera. Holding it still is essential that is why I recommend letting a tripod do the work for you. Also, a reflector can save you from moving around the house with the plate in search for best light sources.

Next, try out different effects and angles. Here’s what I find to be the ideal options for food photography:

  • Close-up Shooting

Surprise your viewer with close-up details. Look after crispy or juicy textures, steamy dishes and yummy crumbs. Try not to zoom in. It is better to get your camera closer for a better contrast and coloring.

  • Blurry Background

Use longer lens to get a blurrier background so that your focused subject appears more distinct.

  • Photographing with a Wide Depth of Field

Broaden the focus of your image to sharply capture a greater area.

Step 7. Make Adjustments

Not all your food photos will be magazine-like shots. Food photography is not as easy as it may appear. If you encounter shooting issues such as blurry images, or unnatural colors, play with settings until you achieve the result you want. If, for instance, the light source is not satisfying enough, you’ll need to make some manual adjustments such as increasing your shutter speed and opening your aperture more.

Step 8. Learn from the Best

Search out for the most delicious food photography projects online. Not all of us are professional food photographers. That is why learning from the best in business is not only normal, but also advisable. There are plenty of websites and books on the topic you can have a look at.

Personally, I enjoy following up the work of award-winning photographers. Penny de Los Santos is one of them. Visit her website and check out her amazing portfolio. You can also get some useful food photography tips from here.

Step 9. Search for Creative Ideas

If you want to add something special to your portfolio, think about food time-lapse videos. It is true that this kind of projects are time-consuming, but otherwise are worth trying!

Also, consider food landscapes. Sometimes it is good to capture imperfections, especially when it comes to food. As long as you are not shooting for a stylish magazine, go wild and create a moment out of messy scene.

Step 10. Promote Your Food Photography

If you have a photography blog, why not enrich it with a page on food photography? Entice your viewers with a story. Food photography is also about different cultures and the way we relate to what we eat from diverse perspectives. Write about your projects as naturally as you can. Share your experience and connect to your viewers both visually and verbally.

Useful Golden Hour Photography Tips

Regardless of the type of photography you choose, the golden hour will add magic to your shots. I hope this article will inspire you to go outdoors and capture this unique moment with enthusiasm. Try out one or more of the photographic techniques listed below and let us know how it went.

Wonder what the golden hour means? Also known as the magic hour in photography, this unique moment in time has no definite duration. All we know is that it occurs a few minutes after sunrise and before sunset. Check the times of sunrise and sunset in your area and make sure you are not late. Let the sun charm you!

Golden Hour Landscape Photography Tips

Here’s how you can benefit from the golden hour for astonishing landscape shots:

1. Control Light, Enhance Colors, and Profit from the Reduced Contrast

Golden Hour photography

The greatest factors that affect the quality of landscape photographs are light conditions. But don’t worry! The golden hour is a photographer’s best friend.

During these particular moments of the day the colors you can capture are softer and more pronounced, but diffused at the same time. In terms of color temperatures, they are warmer, which means are more red/yellow toned because the daylight is redder compared to when the sun in high in the sky.

As regards contrast, the golden hour is also preferred by landscape photographers because the contrast is naturally reduced, so highlights are less likely to be overexposed.

2. Experiment with Backlighting into Your Pictures

Sun plays an important role in golden hour photography as it adds more dimension to the scenes you shoot. When the sun is low at the horizon everything into your image will look more dramatic. The light is less harsh than in plain daylight and shadows are less dark.

Now is the perfect moment to easily capture sun flares and add a spectacular effect to your landscape photos.

3. Play with Settings

Whether you have a professional device or a semi-professional DSLR, manual settings are essential. For stunning effects use a wide aperture and make sure you don’t overexpose your pictures. You can adjust ISO depending on how much light you work with (the lower the better) and set your exposure time under 1/8000ths of a second. Try the macro function as well to take some sharp amazing close-up snaps.

Golden Hour Photography

Golden Hour Urban Photography

Technically, the tips for landscape photography apply for urban photography too. But I hope city lover photographers will find these a few more tips useful:

1. Finding the Perfect Perspective

When it comes to urban photography as compared to landscape photography you add a special character into the story: the city with its streets, lights and diverse architectural styles. If you are looking for impressive, powerful shots during sunset, the city will offer you numberless favorable perspectives.

Whether you choose a wide angle or more focused detail, pay careful attention to lines and shapes as they are very important elements of the photographical composition. Each and every line has an impact on the viewer.

2. The Role of Shadows: Capturing Dynamic Scenes

The city during the golden hour is ideal for adding a dynamic effect to your shots. Shadows and silhouettes play a vital role. For astonishing results, try to take multiple shots and observe how light changes as the sun moves and how this affects the atmosphere you want to create.

 Golden Hour Portrait Photography

Portraits can greatly benefit from the magic hour as well. In portrait photography it is crucial to balance lighting across the subject’s face. That is why harsh lighting in the middle day is undesirable and photographers need special equipment to fill in strong shadows. Here’s what you should do to capture stunning golden hour portraits:

1. Play with Shadows and Rim Lighting

First, you can experiment with facing your models into and out of the shade for diverse and remarkable results. For instance, glowing effects such as rim lighting can be achieved naturally, by using the sun’s light as a foreground instrument.

Second, to capture the dreamy effect of light during the magic hour you can switch on a wide aperture.

2. Catch the Light in Your Subject’s Eyes

Make your subjects look more expressive by locking the focus on them and blurring the foreground. This will add depth and power to your pictures. Golden hour portraits have the power to steal smiles.

Golden Hour Wedding Photography

maldives-698501_1280

Wedding photographers have all the reasons to shoot during the golden hour. What other moment of the day can help you take breathtaking photographs for such romantic events?

Your artistic approach to wedding photography plays an essential role, but more important is your technical skill as the light will do all the necessary artistic tricks.

What I love at magic hour wedding photography is that particular golden feeling dim light adds to it. In order to achieve this warm, dreamy effect, place your subjects in front of the sun.

But if variety is your target, you can try both front lighting and back lighting. Make your subjects face the sun and you will get more pronounced colors and expressions.

Image sources: depositphotos.com, pixabay