Make Macro Magic this Season

With warmer weather finally here, it’s time to take our cameras in hand and head outdoors.  Nature photographers rejoice as we find our surroundings flourishing and endless opportunities to capture the splendor of spring.  It’s also an ideal time to experiment with macro photography.  Macro photography is essentially taking the size of your object in an image and enlarging it to several times (such as 5x) life size.

Ladybugs, bees, tiny creatures atop flower petals and leaves are all amazing subjects to capture from a macro standpoint.  Another benefit of shooting macro is the fact that you will have a shallow depth of field with this method, so clutter or background issues will have less of an impact than they would in traditional photography.

Here are a few tips to make your macro photography magnificent:

Try Texture:  One of the most powerful aspects of macro photography is how textures are magnified to complement your subject or add interest to the background.  For example, the fine hairs on a bumblebee will be magnified and the texture of the insect’s body will immediately draw the eye.  You can also use the texture of a leaf or flower to provide contrast to a smoother subject, such as a ladybug.   Combining textures works beautifully in nature and it also makes for stunning macro images.

Delight in the Details:  Macro photography brings the smallest of details to the forefront, so it’s important to consider this when deciding what to photograph.  For example, a blemish on a petal might not be noticed in a standard shot but a macro image might enhance it to the point of it impacting the overall effect.  A practice snap or two can help you decide if an issue is really an issue at all.

Experiment with Focus:  Consider shooting with a larger lens aperture to throw a portion of the scene or subject out of focus.  This technique provides some artistic play and will lend a different feel to your images.  You can reposition yourself to determine which portion of the subject looks best in soft focus.

Learn Lighting Tricks:  As with all other forms of photography, learning how to manipulate available light is an important skill.  For example, with macro photography, using front light will result in more intense color saturation whereas side lighting is perfect for those instances where you wish to showcase texture.  Playing with your position with respect to available light can have a substantial impact on your final image. 

Your macro lighting can also be helped along with our ProMaster LED 120 Camera/Camcorder light.  This model accommodates cameras and camcorders and can help you achieve well-lit photos and video with more natural color. The continuous light source eliminates the red-eye effect caused by your camera's flash and helps you get sharper pictures by providing a good source of illumination for your camera's autofocus system.

Your LED120 will have the perfect partner with our ProMaster articulating mounting arm. This handy accessory allows you to mount LCD panels and microphones on your DSLR for cinematography and has double ball heads to provide complete control over positioning. You can even use the arm to mount another small camera on your current camera to gain a new perspective.

A Few Photo Tricks for Your Halloween Treat Bag

The kids have been dreaming of costumes and candy, and their excitement to hit the streets searching for sugar can be felt days before Halloween. In the frenzy for fun, make sure to take these photo tips in your bag of tricks so, when Halloween is over, you’ve got some treats of your own!

Keep the Kids’ Perspective: This holiday is all about the kids, so make sure the photos you take keep their perspective into account. Shoot lower than normal, at their eye level, as opposed to standing over them and shooting downward. The images will highlight the sense of play and connectedness to the subjects.

Have Fun with Flash: What better time to experiment with lighting than during the spooky celebration? If you’ve got an off camera flash, use it! Experiment with position and let the kids get involved, too. You can also hand out flashlights and ask the kids to strike their scariest poses. Have them hold the lights under their faces for extra spooky shots. Bump up the ISO on your camera a bit for extra help and encourage a little clowning around.

After the sun goes down, experiment with flash and without. Flash-free photos might better capture the scary aura of the evening but some other shots may escape you unless you have flash as an option. Check out our line of quality flash products here: http://www.fortworthcamera.com/flash

Grab the Glow Sticks! We use them as a signal to cars that our kids are walking on the roads trick-or-treating, but they’re also the perfect lighting accessory for tricky photos. Use them to illuminate Jack-o-lanterns, put them underneath decorations and experiment with angles to give your photos that extra eerie effect.

When Hard Light is Helpful

The term ‘hard light’ refers to the bright, direct light the daytime sun provides, particularly between the hours of noon and early afternoon. While we’re often counseled--with good reason--to shy away from shooting in hard light, there are some instances that would benefit from the intensity of this form of available light.

Showcasing Textures:

Hard light can be very effective in enhancing textures in an image. Whether it’s the splintered detail in an old wooden fence or the intricate pattern in an article of clothing, hard light can become beneficial in making sure these details are brought to the forefront. If you’re looking to photograph an object--be it a commercial project or a personal one--learning to use hard light to enhance an object’s details is a skill that can add new dimension to your work.

Capturing Creative Contrast: Hard light creates intense shadows and using those shadows as part of your image is yet another way that this form of illumination can add rather than detract from your images. Shadows from tree branches and other tall objects can throw unique designs onto other surfaces, creating a compelling element.

Bring on the Backlighting: The term ‘backlight’ refers to lighting an image from behind, which is a popular technique in photography. Hard light can illuminate the lines and edges of the subject. This technique can be used in a variety of situations ranging from human interest to nature photography. Consider using a lens hood during these sessions to battle the potential complication of flare intruding on your images. Check our line of quality lens hoods here:

http://www.promaster.com/lens

With backlighting situations, there is also a risk of overexposure so exposure compensation adjustments may be necessary. An adjustment of one to two stops should help combat the camera’s meter being overwhelmed by the bright background.

Summer Stretches of Light:

One of the many beauties of summer includes the promise of longer days, and these time changes in sunrise and sunset can impact your photography. If shooting sunrises tops your list, be prepared to get up earlier! Also, certain areas with extremely hot weather will mean an increased intensity of sunlight fairly early in the morning.

If possible, skip the midday sun as it can often be harsh and may wash out vivid colors. Because the evenings arrive later in the summer, you have more time to prepare your dusk shots. Feel free to start shooting a bit earlier than usual and see how the changing shadows and colors affect your photography.

Experimenting with sunrise and sunset shooting can be one of the most satisfying and interesting aspects of vacation photography. Taking into account the local landscape, unique architecture and weather patterns can combine into creating a series of images that move friends and family and possibly even inspire them to visit the locale themselves!

Create Haunting Halloween Photographs

Halloween is one of those times when kids can beg for candy without being scolded and adults can dress up in full costume with the excuse that “it’s for the kids, you know.” While you’re searching for the perfect costume, scary props and fun holiday treats, remember to plan a bit of time to create fantastic Halloween photos. This year, mix things up, have some fun and experiment.

Stage Your Shots: The standard head-on group shot is fine for starters, but here’s a chance to let the kids play a commanding role. Ask them to create their own scary poses or have them jump out from behind a wall and shoot once they scream “Boo!” Let them orchestrate a scene and photograph each step—your burst mode might come in handy here—and create a series of action photos that tell their unique and spooky story.

Photographing Your Jack-o-lantern: Photographing a jack-o-lantern can be a tricky proposition. Make sure the carvings allow enough light to come through the holes—consider carving a wider smile or eyes if needed. Most people put a single candle inside but for photography purposes, you’ll need more light to come trough so consider adding one or two additional candles per pumpkin. Better yet—try inserting a small flashlight instead.

You can also up the spook factor by placing your jack-o-lanterns on a reflective surface such as a wood table. Just be aware of the area behind you; keep the lights dim and move any objects that would clutter or compromise the background.

Make Your Own Lighting Prop: Instead of using a flash, which can be too stark to create the scary feel you seek, try taking a flashlight and covering the front with wax paper and a rubber band. Have your child point the flashlight toward his face—keep it at waist level and out of the shot—to create a soft and spooky lighting effect.

Give the Kids Presence: Position yourself close to the ground and photograph your subjects while shooting upward. By playing with your position and their poses, you can create an ominous image and make the kids look taller and more foreboding. They’ll get a kick out of seeming larger than life and the resulting photographs will be more compelling than a standard shot.

Enhance the Details: Does someone have an amazing make-up job or scary mask? Shoot their face full-frame for maximum effect. Today’s costumes have some of the most remarkable and intricate detail, so if something catches your eye, use it as a focal point for an image. Maybe it’s a skull bracelet or a prop that grabs you; it’s the small details that often make the most unique photographs.

No Reckless Photo Posting: Remember to never post photos of anyone else’s children on Facebook or other sites without first getting permission from their parents. It can be very disconcerting for someone to come across a photo of her own child without knowing about it in advance.

Happy Halloween!

Photographing Pets

For many people, pets are an important part of the family.  They provide companionship, affection, protection and a healthy dose of laughter.  However, capturing your pet’s personality—or even getting him to sit still—can be a real challenge, but with a few tricks up your sleeve, you’ll find that photo that truly captures your furry friend’s fun disposition. 

Keep it Natural:  When it comes to lighting, try to shoot using available light even if you’re indoors.  Perhaps you can use the light coming in from a nearby window.  If possible, forgo using your camera’s flash.  In addition to possibly startling your pet and hindering his cooperation, the flash can also keep you from capturing your pet’s coat color accurately. However, if your pet has an all-black coat, a flash or direct outdoor sunlight can be an advantage because it will help bring out subtle shadings and variations that make your pet unique.

Follow Your Pet:  When it comes to posing your pet, it’s best to meet him where he is at that moment.  If he’s resting, consider taking a few shots from a distance first.  Move in slowly and deliberately.

Frame Shots Tight:  When it comes to taking pictures of pets, a great zoom lens can work wonders. Whenever possible, fill the frame with your shot and shoot a bit tighter than you’re used to as it will create a more intimate and personal pet portrait.  If you’re looking for a new lens, we have a number of PROMASTER models designed to deliver high quality at a competitive price:  http://www.promaster.com/digital

Include Your Kids:  If you have children, this is a wonderful family project and a great way to spend time after school one afternoon.   Enlist your child to help with posing and using toys or other enticements to get your pet to look in a certain direction or to create an ‘action’ shot of him retrieving a toy.  You can capture some great interaction between your kids and your pet; just let the events unfold and shoot away.  Trying to control the interaction may end up stifling the images and losing the lightness you’d hoped to capture.

Let it Go:  Photographing pets can be challenging at times, and if your pet isn’t cooperating, put the camera away and try another time.  After a nice long walk or a game of catch, your pet may feel more cooperative and you can try again.

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