Capturing the Majesty of National Parks

When it comes to summer holidays, visiting another state or national park is high on the list for many vacationers.  Sometimes the vastness of these natural beauties can overwhelm our senses and interfere with our ability to decide how to best photograph such a vast space.  It’s an issue that puzzles many photographers – how do we do justice to the grandness and detail of our country’s natural treasures?  We have a few tips to help you capture the essence of the beauty that surrounds you:

Be Prepared:  Shooting in nature requires the right accessories, so think about what kind of images you’d like to create while you’re in that amazing environment.  For example, a tripod is invaluable, as it will provide stability and flexibility, allowing you to compose images that you might otherwise miss.  We have a complete range of quality tripods for you to consider here.

Take it In:  Those first moments when we arrive at the park can open the floodgates of ideas, but reaching for your camera immediately can be a mistake.  Instead of shooting as soon as your reach the park’s entrance, consider taking in the scenery first.  Let your eyes and senses experience the views around you; let your imagination wander as your drive along the path.  Your creative mind needs a bit of time to process this new space, and this patience will pay off in your composition.

Shoot a Quick Memory List:  When taking in a park’s many views and vistas, it’s easy to forget certain areas that you wish to shoot.  Use your camera as a visual ‘to-do’ shot list and take quick photos of the areas that interest you.  Don’t be too concerned about composition or details at this point; the goal is to simply create a shot list to remind yourself of which areas you plan to explore in greater detail.

Choose Different Times of Day: The sun’s changing position throughout the day can create a wealth of different images even though the scenery remains the same.  Areas with trees can cast interesting shadows based upon the sun’s position, so you’ll want to explore those options, as the day stretches on. 

One Location, Many Viewpoints:  Instead of rushing from one location to the next, take a bit of time and study your space from several angles.  Shoot from numerous angles – high, low and close up – to examine how the same area can provide so many distinct and different views.  Find a focal point and shoot it from different vantage points.

Macro Made Easy

 If you’d like to experiment with macro photography but don’t have a macro lens, we’ve got an alternative that provides excellent quality while being budget friendly.  Our ProMaster Automatic Extension Tube Set is the perfect accessory to assist with your macro shooting adventures. 

Extension tubes are a perfect solution to allow ultra close focusing without sacrificing the optical properties of your lens or the need to buy a more expensive dedicated macro lens. ProMaster Automatic Extension Tubes are precision engineered for a precise fit and proper communications between your camera lens and body.  The ProMaster Automatic Extension Tube Set includes a 12mm, 20mm, and 36mm tube that can be used individually or in combination to gain the right magnification for your particular need.

Back to Basics: Rule of Thirds Revisited

The Rule of Thirds is one of the most well-known and frequently practiced techniques explored by budding photographers.  While many photographers agree that rules are meant to be broken in the name of creativity, your composition will improve if you understand how to apply the rules first.

To understand the Rule of Thirds, visualize two vertical lines and two horizontal lines dividing your image into nine equals squares.  You then place your key subjects and points of interest along these lines.  The primary subject will reside where the lines intersect.  The intersecting lines are sometimes referred to as crosshairs.

To better understand this concept, take a few of your photos and imagine the nine squares atop the image.   Where are your primary items of interest? Choose a few of your favorite photos, the ones that really speak to you and apply this rule.  You may be surprised at how often the Rule of Thirds is already at play in your favorite images.

Most camera manufacturers offer a virtual screen overlay that can divide your viewfinder into the Rule of Thirds format and this may help you get used to seeing your images in this way.  You may prefer not to use this guide, but if it is available on your camera and you are new to the concept, it’s worth the time to experiment. The Rule of Thirds, when properly applied, can create a sense of scale and drama and will direct the eye to the perfect place in your image.

Road Trip Photography: The Big Picture

Road trips are the kind of vacation often met with a combination of anticipation and dread.  Traveling with family, especially with small children, isn’t easy and the logistics of planning a driving holiday can confuse even the most organized among us.  Still, the rewards far outweigh the hassles, which is why we still load up the car and the kids and take off down the interstate.   So, the adventure begins and so does the opportunity to share your story.

A road trip is really a fantastic adventure story, isn’t it? Documenting the fun and frustrating parts is key in sharing the entire narrative, so it’s important to remember that during the entire trip.  Here are few tips to help you make the most of this experience:

Begin at the Beginning:  So often, we don’t start taking photos until we’ve arrived at our destination, but taking photos even during the packing and planning stages helps set the stage for what is to come.  Snap a few shots of the suitcases being filled, of what your daughter is planning to put in her backpack, of art supplies being prepared to keep kids entertained while on the road.  No need for posed pictures or asking the kids to smile.  Candid photos are best at the beginning, and in fact, some photos of only the cases or preparations may be more visually interesting from a storytelling perspective than requiring family members to occupy every shot.

Shoot Every Stage:   Keep your camera in hand and feel free to shoot during the day.  Don’t wait until you arrive at a particular location, as you will find rich material and interesting sights out your window during the entire journey.  We don’t always know which images will resonate with us until we review them later, so shooting throughout the day may reveal some gems you might have otherwise overlooked.

Experiment with Multiple Viewpoints:  Whoever owns the camera is usually the one behind it, but that also means that the primary photographer is left out of most of the photos!  Also, each of our travel partners will have his own perspective and viewpoint.  Share the camera and encourage others to take photos of what interests them.  Even the younger kids can take great photos with a bit of instruction but counsel only on how to handle the equipment and not what to shoot.  Let each person’s imagination wander while behind the lens.  You’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results.

Stop for Signs:  Road trips are a fantastic opportunity to discover unique, interesting, historical and funny signs alongside of the road.  Keep your eyes open and your camera ready.  If one catches your eye, pull over for a posed photo.  You can use the image to create a postcard to mail to friends or enlarge and frame it for your desk to remind you of the holiday.  Check out the many ways we can turn your memories into mementos: 
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Car Capture:
Photographing objects while shooting from a moving car can be a challenge but the opportunity to experiment makes it more fun.  It’s better to shoot objects that are far away as opposed to close up; your ability to get clearer shots will improve if your subject is father away.  You can also play with a panning technique, but usually panning is used when the subject is moving, and in this case, you’re the one moving!  You may shoot some blurry duds, but you may get a few photos that capture your moment in contrast with the scenery.  It’s worth a shot (pun intended)!