Hi ConvenienceBigs,
In my last email, I talked about the key compositional rules that you can use to create better travel photos.
Today, I'll be covering how to deal with challenging light.
You can't be everywhere at the right time for the perfect light, especially when traveling.
Here's how to get the best shot from a bad lighting situation.
(Remember: The best times to shoot are closer to sunrise and sunset, when the light is soft and warm. These times are known as "the golden hour.")
1. Be aware of the sun. This is the most important tip of the lot. Ideally, you want the sun behind you. If you can, position yourself so you are between the sun and your subject.
2. Be creative. That harsh light can be used to your advantage. Try shooting into the sun to create silhouettes, or use a high aperture to create a starburst effect.
3. Use the weather. When the sun is behind clouds, the light is diffused. Clouds also add interest and scale to otherwise plain, boring skies.
4. Seek shade. If you're taking pictures of people, find somewhere shady. Here the light will be more even, with fewer harsh shadows on faces.
5. Low Light. So often we're out with friends at night and want to capture those moments together, but we can't seem to get anything other than a blurry mess.
This is because most cameras aren't great when working with the amount of light that's available at night — they use slow shutter speeds that turn movement into blurs.
More expensive equipment can make a real difference for low-light photography. All is not lost if your pockets aren't deep enough, though. First, you can increase the ISO setting on your camera. While this will reduce the quality of your shots, they will look better than blurry photos.
Another idea is to find something to rest your camera on. If you don't have a tripod, try and find an alternative — anything that is stationary and not prone to shake like your hand does. Then, use your camera's timer function to take the shot. If you're taking pictures of people, get them to stand as still as possible!
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I believe that taking better photos is a combination of three factors — being in the right place at the right time, knowing how your gear works, and knowing how to compose a great shot. Shutter speed and aperture are two key settings in the photographer's toolbox, and you need to learn how to access and control those modes on your camera.
When you do, you will have much greater creative control over your photography.
Best,
Laurence
P.S. - If you're really looking to get into photography, I worked with Laurence to create a very in-depth, hands-on photography course (he even provides feedback on your pictures). It will help you get out of auto and master your camera - no matter what camera that may be! You can learn more about it by clicking here. You can get 10% off with the code "10off" when you check out too! :)
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