Tips for Digital Photography
Get the most out of your DSLR using tips for digital photography
Preparing to Shoot Outdoors
Almost any type of photography can be performed outdoors, and indeed some specializations
are strictly outdoor activities.
If you are going to be out for a considerable period of time, and your destination
is not near supplies of some sort, you should prepare by making a list of the equipment
you’ll need and checking that your equipment is working properly. Battery power
is particularly crucial for DSLRS, as well as flash units, so make sure you take
enough batteries with you.
When the light levels are low, or when you want to maximize DOF, you will need a
steady support for your camera. Ideally you will have a tripod or monopod with you,
but this may not be practical in all circumstances. The best substitute is a beanbag,
which is compact and can be moulded to fit your camera and lens snugly. You can
also use extra items of clothing for this purpose, but the support will not be quite
as firm.
In the field, you may be at the mercy of the elements, so make sure your equipment
is
well protected. If your bag is not water-resistant, carry plastic bags with watertight
seals to wrap your equipment in. Be careful in dusty or sandy places: Tiny specks
can invade crevices and jam mechanisms, or get into the camera lens mount when you
change lenses. Try to minimize the camera’s exposure to harmful particles and sea
spray. Also, you should consider carrying a basic cleaning kit that includes a blower
bulb and a soft lens brush or lens tissue. Cleaning equipment outdoors is inconvenient,
but may sometimes be unavoidable.
One old technique for protecting the camera while shooting in unfavourable conditions
is to seal it in a plastic bag. Start by placing the camera in the bag, but leave
the lens filter off. Then, carefully screw on the filter so that it cuts the plastic
along the filter groove. Unscrew the filter, remove the cut-out circle, and replace
the filter—with the plastic bag still in the lens screw thread. Unfortunately, it
is not easy to seal the camera this way; further, it can be difficult to operate
the camera controls through the plastic.
Shooting in Sunlight - Practical Considerations
Camera equipment can get very hot under strong sunlight, especially if your camera
is black. Keep your equipment away from direct sunlight as much as possible. When
shooting under bright sunlight, it can be hard to see through the viewfinder. Wearing
a cap or hat to shade your eyes will help. Using your LCD is much more problematic:
You may not be able to view pictures or access menus without moving into the shade.
Adjusting the brightness of your LCD may help, but if you do so, remember that what
you see there may not accurately reflect the pictures you’re taking. Use the histogram
as a more accurate gauge of exposure.
Here at Tips for Digital Photography we hope you’ve enjoyed this article on digital
photography. Why not try one of our other Photography Tips article. Check the menu
down the left of this page.