Photographing Stairs

Stairs and steps are a popular subject for photography. They provide a strong repeated pattern, offer a symmetry and lead the eye somewhere in or through the image. Stairs, outside of a Hollywood movie are also static. Ok so an escalator contains moving stairs but they are contained within a stationery framework.

This provides a predictable and unvarying subject around which a photographer can often move to explore all angles to make the most of the shapes and the light.

Let the shapes and colours of the stairs themselves guide how the image is composed.

Stairs and steps are a popular subject for photography. They provide a strong repeated pattern, offer a symmetry and lead the eye somewhere in or through the image. Stairs, outside of a Hollywood movie are also static. Ok so an escalator contains moving stairs but they are contained within a stationery framework.

This provides a predictable and unvarying subject around which a photographer can often move to explore all angles to make the most of the shapes and the light.

Let the shapes and colours of the stairs themselves guide how the image is composed.

For more information about photographing stairs visit www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons/stairs 

Photographing Doors and Windows

If eyes are the window to a person’s soul then windows and doors are the, well the windows and doors to the soul of many buildings. As such they can be an interesting photographic subject. Architecturally the frames of a window or door create strong lines. In unusual building designs and partially ruined structures the windows and doors (or the gaps where they once were) create an easily identifiable and recognisable shape.

The window and doors can tell the story of the property. Their design may show the architectural norms of when it was built or the artistic whims of the designer. The materials used can give insight into the location and culture. Their state of repair might portray some of the buildings history.

To learn more about photographing doors and windows and other free photography lessons visit

www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons/doorswindows

Free photography lesson - Live Performance

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Photographing live performance can be a difficult prospect for a number of reasons, the lighting is not particularly helpful, the performers are continuously moving and getting to a position to take the photograph that neither interrupts the performance nor blocks the audience. 

To learn more about camera settings and techniques to photograph live performances visit http://www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons/live-performance

Photography: Vignette

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A lot of photography articles and manuals will talk about Vignetting without really describing what it is. Vignetting is light fall off and it is common. It means that the corners and edges of an image are darker than the centre of the frame.

Vignette is either caused by optics, or in photography it can be added during post-production editing.

To learn more about vignetting and other free photography lessons visit www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons 

Graduated Neutral Density Filter

Photography is all about light, and light can be one of the hardest things to control, particularly outdoors. Photographers prefer to take out door shots during the golden hours – dawn and dusk, the light is warmer and the contrast is manageable.

On bright days and in certain scenes managing the contrast becomes quite difficult. To get the foreground appropriate lit leaves the background over exposed and vice versa. The compromise can leave the image lacking detail and depth in the colours. This is where a graduated neutral density filter can be useful.

Visit http://www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons to find out more about what a graduated neutral density filter is and how to use it.

Photography- Fisheye Lens

Fisheye lenses can be a lot of fun to play with creating interesting effects and distorting visual reality. Some photographers will dismiss them as a “toy”, but they have their place in a camera bag.

Fisheye lens is an ultra wide-angle lens. They a short convex lens which can take a frame up to 180^o of view. I always need to lean forward to ensure my feet are not in shot. Using a tripod can also be tricky if not positioned correctly, as can be the photographer’s shadow.

Using a fisheye lens

Get close to the subject, real close, between 3cm and 30cm. Keep the subject in the centre of the frame, as distortion and bending occurs at the edge of the frame. 

To learn more about using a fisheye lens and other free photograph tips visit dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons 

Photographing Fireworks

Fireworks make for spectacular photographs but can take some practice to master.  Fireworks create a lot of smoke that will continuously build throughout the display. Photographs taken early in the display will be cleaner, particularly close ups.

In taking photos of the large colour bursts, when using a slow shutter speed time in relation to the opening of the shutter with sound of the firework being shot into the sky. This will mean that the shutter is open as the firework explodes into colour and will capture the arcs of light. If you wait until you can see the bursts it might be too late!

This article discusses camera settings, equipment and composition for taking pleasing photographs of fireworks. To read more visit www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons/fireworks

Sunset Photography

Everyone wants to take the perfect post card photo of a sunset, but there is more to a great sunset photograph than than pink and orange skies. Below are some basics to get started. A tripod is highly recommended to help get the best results.

For more information about camera settings and composition techniques to take pleasing photographs at sunset visit www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons/sunset/photography

Photographing Birds

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Photographing birds in direct sunlight will allow for faster shutter speeds, for birds in flight this is important for freezing the action and capturing clear images of the wings and the details in the feathers.

The faster the bird moves the faster the shutter speed. One of the holy grails of wildlife photography is capturing the fast moving wings of a hummingbird.

Be Patient

Be prepared to set up your camera equipment and then wait, relatively motionless. Movements can startle and scare off the birds. By remaining motionless the birds will not perceive the photographer to be a threat and may venture closer. The use of a hide can also help, and a vehicle can make for a useful hide if a permanent one is not available.

Wait for the birds to come to you, for them to fly overhead.

To learn more about photographing birds and other FREE photography lessons visit www.dftours.com.au/free-photography-lessons