Category: learning the basics

Feeling the Mood

 

While I am one to play on the light and airy side, with bright whites and pops of colour, I have noticed that sometimes I am drawn to a lowlight moody scene.  There is a different richness and isolation of the subject that draws the viewer into the frame.

While there are various post-processing techniques to enhance the look and feel of the image, the real magic is done in camera.

This is where spot metering comes into play.

AVERAGE MATRIX METERING

DSC_4965-Edit
Average Matrix Metering

I love how the tulips are evenly lit.  It is a true feel of what my dinning room looks like midday. We are surrounded by windows, and natural light spills right in a fills the entire room. The image has a bright cheerfulness. The tulips appear to be stretching toward the delicious sunlight.

[Using a Tripod]

200mm | f/2.8 | SS 1/10 | ISO 320

 

 

 

SPOT METERING

 

DSC_4966-Edit
spot metered on the highlights

By just the switch of a dial, and metering off the highlights of the tulips, I love how this mood transforms. The depth of the colours are suddenly richer and the tulips appear to be lightly kissed by the light. The tulips are leaning toward the side, as if showing the beginning stages of wilting.

[Using a Tripod]

200mm | f/2.8 | SS 1/60 | ISO 320

 

 

Something as simple as selecting how you wish to meter your subject will ultimately create the vision of the story that you wish to tell.

D xo

So… you’re doing a 365?

Let me share with you my impressions of a 365 project so far.

Let’s face it, as I write this post, I realize that it’s only the beginning of May, so I’m not technically even half way there, and by NO means an expert on this subject, hence I’m sharing my experience and maybe you’ll find yourself nodding your head in agreement with this crazy little journey. Continue reading So… you’re doing a 365?

Zooms, Primes and Wide Angles oh my!

Oh boy, the choices out there on the market for lenses. It’s quite overwhelming really. While I will admit that I own a few myself, I must say that I researched the heck out of them before taking the financial plunge. Continue reading Zooms, Primes and Wide Angles oh my!

EXPOSURE TRIANGLE

Understanding the basics of the exposure triangle-

There are 3 elements involved in exposure (hence, triangle)

• Aperture (the amount of light that passes through the lens)

• Shutter Speed (the amount of time the shutter is open to allow in light)

• ISO (the film or sensors sensitivity to light.)

When you change one element of exposure, you alter the other two elements. This image will give you a basic understanding of what the 3 different sides of the exposure triangle are capable of.

Continue reading EXPOSURE TRIANGLE

First Half of Creativity.

Let’s assume by now you’ve got a handle on exposure (if not, refer to ‘EXPOSURE TRIANGLE‘). When you shoot in ‘M’ mode, the creativity starts in the camera. Now that you have an understanding of how to properly expose for light. (bravo!) let’s look at other ways to get creative with your images. (Yippee!)

DSC_5867-Edit-2

Simple things you can do to take your image to another level are :

  • COMPOSITION
  • CROP
  • LIGHT (direction of)
  • ANGLES
  • DISTANCE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR SUBJECT
  • APERTURE
  • SHUTTER SPEED
  • LENS CHOICE

These basics will be a one half of the equation when developing your personal style. The other half lies in your post-processing, but we’ll chat about that in a post of it’s own.

Practice, Practice, PRACTICE!!! I can’t stress this enough. Try working on the list  above and you’ll be amazed at how subtle changes will have the biggest impact!