As someone who enjoys photography, your skills have to be flexible. If you are professional, it’s
imperative that you can do a shoot at any time of the day, in the case that you are booked and can’t
choose a time you’d prefer to shoot. While there are more times in the day that are not optimal than
times that are, there is always a way around any tough-shooting environment.
It’s important to remember, however, that although the time of day plays a significant factor in this
obstacle, the type of camera you have will dictate whether or not you are successful in navigating
around the problems.
Although there are a number of brands on the market, Canon cameras are a good choice for the
professional and newbie, alike. Starephotography.com suggests they’re among the best because
of, “consistency in their lineup. For instance, the Digic II processor that is at the heart of their $5000
models is the same processor that is at the heart of their $200 models.”
So grab your camera, Canon or not, and start testing some of these techniques.
Morning
Some of the most stunning photos are of the sun rising. Whether you’re a newbie photographer or a
seasoned veteran, you’ve tried to capture the majesty of a prefect sunrise. Do you find that they just
don’t come out quite right? If you can’t seem to successfully capture the scene, consider these tips.
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Tripod: Use a tripod to steady your shot. Allow the camera to do all the work, since you don’t
need to be moving.
Place the horizon: In a sunset shot, this might be one of the most important aspects. It’s best
to place the horizon toward the bottom of the photo, which will avoid putting a divider in the
middle of the picture.
Frame something: To eek every pop of color out of the sunset, frame an object against it; a tree
branch coming in from the side, a sailboat down in the water, a couple sitting together. The dark
silhouette will enhance very fleck of gold and orange.
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Mid-Day
Bright sunlight presents a serious problem; photos taken in this light risk being underexposed or too
light. However, in the case that you’ll be photographing between 10am and 4pm, when the sun is
brightest, there are a number of tactics you can utilize to ensure a quality photo.
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Exposure: Set your camera to manual and utilize photo bracketing. This mode will take multiple
shots in a row, using various exposures. This will allow you to see which one works best in that
light.
Filters: Consider purchasing a UV filler for your camera to make the photo appear darker.
Spot metering: By utilizing this tool, you can force your camera to focus on the most important
aspect of the photo, and give it the correct exposure.
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Night
Isn’t it always the problem that you see something beautiful at night, like a lit up skyline, but can never
seem to capture it. Simply turning off the flash results in a dark, sloppy picture, but leaving it on ruins
the whole scene. Next time, try one or more of these suggestions.
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A lens hood: This will help minimize that pesky flash.
ISO: Picturecorrect.com suggest, “Try starting with a low ISO speed to maintain clarity and
reduce noise.”
Cable release: By setting your camera to go off moments after you hit the shutter button, you
avoid any issues with stability or movement.
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Next time you head out for some beautiful photos, remember these tips. Don’t be held back when
inspiration hits; be ready to capture the moment. No matter what camera you have in hand or where
the sun is sitting in the sky, these tried and true tactics will lead to a perfect photo.
Photo credit: Digitaldeconstruction.com
