Are you new to the world of photography? If so, then you are certainly not alone. So many people are in the same situation as you are right now, but there are things that you can do to try and make things easier on yourself when it comes to those learning curves.
Don’t Overpack your Gear
When you head out to take some photos, it’s imperative that you pack smart. You need to ensure that you take enough supplies with you to keep you going and you also need to try and think about the images you want to take. If you are going to hike to a distant or far location, then you’ll want to keep things light, when choosing what to take with you. Take enough food and water, not to mention that you also need something for the rain. In terms of gear, take only the lens you need along with a couple of key accessories. This could include a lens hood, to reduce the glare. A wide-angle lens should be good if you want to try and capture some of the sweeping landscapes and the dramatic skies. A tripod will also help if you are trying to capture images in low light or even at a long exposure.
Go out at the Best Time of Day
Midday is a very difficult time for you to take photos. The main reason for this is because of the amount of harsh shadows and of course, the blown-out highlights. It is also very difficult for you to shoot outdoor portraits as well because the bright light can encourage your subject to squint, which is the last thing that you want. For a lot of outdoor photography, it’s important to know that early morning and late afternoon are most often the best times of the day for you to be taking photos. You will have light that is beautiful and diffused and you will also have shadows which aren’t as harsh. If you struggle to get good photos, remember that you can add a vintage photography look to your photos if you are using a phone.
Work with the Light you Have
Shooting towards the sun is always a bad idea. If you do, then you may find that you have a very washed-out image or that you have some very dark shadows. If you can, it is a good idea for you to pay attention to the direction of the light so that you can then work with it. This will enhance your images and it will also give you the best setting for a nice, illuminated landscape.
Shoot Raw
You may not be too concerned about processing when you are starting out, but at some point, you have to think about it. When you do, you will need to make sure that you take your photos in RAW as this will give you far more flexibility. It will also give you the chance to really get the results that you are after so keep this in mind.
Use a Wide Lens
Wide-angle lenses are very popular if you want to try and create stunning landscape images. Wide-angle lenses emphasize the overall sense of distance and they also add a lot of space into the scene as well. This can cause objects that are close to appear way bigger. This is ideal if you have images that have a lot of foreground, so keep that in mind if you can.
Use a Telephoto Lens
In some instances, you will want to make sure that you opt for a telephoto lens for the images that you have. Wildlife photography for example usually requires you to have a telephoto lens. Additionally, you can use a telephoto lens to capture any elements that may be far away, so you can make them feel closer. This is ideal if you are trying to take photos of the moon or even mountains.
Slow Shutter Speeds
Try and look out for any opportunities to use a slower shutter speed. This will help you to create a super long exposure. You can then blur any movement, which could include a rushing waterfall or even rippling fields. The great thing about this is that it will add a very soft but artistic effect to your photos. If you are using slower shutter speeds during the day, then you may need to use an ND filter as this will take out some of the extra light for you.
