Reviews, Commentary and Discussions on Photography
TwitterFacebookYouTube

Tag Archives: Tips

Weekend Photo Safari

Posted on by Posted in Tips Leave a comment

Have you ever thought about taking a Saturday (or Sunday) off from chores, errands and other weekend commitments to spend a day following your photographic passion? With spring knocking on the door, it’s time to seize the opportunity to get out and explore your locales. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or a far-flung destination; even the neighboring town can be a grand adventure.

Here’s a quick guide to help you plan your weekend getaway.

The Photo Day Tripper’s Checklist:

• Write down the names of a few towns that are only 30 minutes to a couple hours away from where you live. Decide which one holds the most interest.

• After choosing a town, do an online search for interesting facts about the town– a city park, an iconic building, an upcoming festival or unique wildlife.

• Choose a date for the safari–it can even be this weekend! Just make sure to clear your calendar–and don’t accept new appointments. You can, however, invite another shutterbug to travel with you!

• Prepare all your gear including charging your camera batteries, format memory cards (and pack extras), include a lens cleaning kit and tripod in your camera bag. Also bring your external flash and extra lenses if you have them. And don’t forget your charging cable (or dock) and your camera’s manual!

• Pack extra water bottles and snacks in your car in case you end up staying in one location longer than you expected. You don’t want low-blood sugar to distract you or pull you away from your location too soon.

We often talk about wanting to spend time experimenting with our craft but we also realize that everyday life can get in the way of even the best intentions. An impromptu photo getaway can give you the mental space and some uninterrupted time to explore a new location and experiment with your unique viewpoint.

Pick a place, pick a date, grab your gear and hit the road!

Protecting Your Gear in the Cold

Posted on by Posted in Tips 2 Comments

For many across the country, February brings plenty of snow, chill and whipping wind. There’s nothing like shooting a winter scene to spark your creativity and encourage you to play with settings such as a custom white balance. Before bundling up and going out to shoot, make sure that your gear is properly protected.

We don’t often think about the effect that switching from extreme temperature fluctuations—such as shooting outside and then bringing the camera into a warm car or house— has and how it might impact our equipment. Condensation is a particular concern because condensation can form on your camera when shifting between such vast weather conditions.

Keep a plastic bag inside your camera bag and, after shooting, place your camera inside the bag before carrying into your car or home. The condensation will form on the plastic bag rather than the camera and will create a barrier to keep the camera from bearing the brunt of a strong temperature change.

Bags of dried, uncooked rice also work well in absorbing water from electronics. This trick has been used many times, particularly in situations where a cell phone has been exposed to water. The rice pulls the moisture from the device and trapped air.

If you don’t have a bag to protect your camera and find you do end up getting condensation on your camera, respond quickly by removing the battery and media card from their respective compartments. Leave those areas open until the condensation has gone away. If you discover condensation on your lens, use a cleaning cloth to remove all traces. And if this happens, DO NOT take your camera back outside; the components could freeze and cause extensive, and sometimes irreparable, damage to your camera body.