Proud Photography Blog

Even you are ready to shoot, that doesn’t mean the weather is ready for you! Whenever you tackle photography outdoors, you need to consider the possibility that the conditions will not be suitable– it could rain horrendously, there could be storm, it could be so hot that it is uncomfortable to work, there could even be snow. There are a lot of maybes there, because we can usually check weather predictions to prepare accordingly, but when it comes down to it, you just never really know what you may get. Read the rest of this entry »

In the last post, we covered some reasons you may want to use flash - now what if you are ready to make an investment? Flashguns can be reasonably priced to quite expensive - this depends on the brand you go for and the model.  Newer models have far more features but they will cost more - however, the investment may be worth it if you want your flash to last for a good few years.

When you buy your first flashgun, it’s worth looking out for some features that you may find useful.  The best thing to do is to buy an automatic or TTL flash which will work in unison with your camera, measuring the correct amount of flash required for the situation.  Here are some features to look for:

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Nearly all cameras, from your high end SLR’s to disposable cameras have a flash function on them.  A necessary evil, flash adds light when necessary, so that even in the darkest scenarios, a decent, sharp photograph can be captured.  These days, we have digital cameras so we can see how the flash is doing immediately; too bright or too harsh, we can tweak accordingly to get a better shot.
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When you shoot creative movement you need suitable equipment for the job.  This means that you need to make some investments, although you can buy many of these items for good prices second hand, or from auction sites online.  Shop around and make sure you camera is compatible with the accessories you buy.
Here are some of the pieces of equipment that you will find very useful when shooting creative movement.

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Last time we looked at the basics of shooting creative movement.  This time we can look at specific scenarios that are the most popular subjects for creative movement, such as water, wind and techniques such as panning the camera for an even more dynamic effect.  Certain subjects work well for creative movement, but the best thing to do is to keep your eyes open.

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Blur, traditionally, is a pain for new photographers.  You think you have capture the dream image only to get home and find unwanted lines of blur than ruin the photograph.  But don’t forget that blur can be a creative tool that adds dramatic effects and emotion to an image.
The key to creating successful camera blur is to make sure it adds to the image and isn’t there for no particular reason, because then it will just look like an accident.  You have to look at what you are trying to photograph and decide if it’s worth including blur – some things may look odd with movements, some items just don’t suit it.

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Now that we have our kit together and have taken in mind any safety issues; we are ready to take some photographs!  The best thing to capture is the hustle and bustle of the city, looking out for interesting lights. Even at night you still have a point of interest – don’t rely on just the lights to make a picture.  Here are 5 tips to help you get a winning shot.

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Home or on holiday, the busy inner cities have a lot to offer photographers in the day and during the night.  In the busier cities, the night brings things to life; things become illuminated, things become exaggerated.  People and passing cars become blurring lines in an otherwise static photograph.  If you live near a city or are holidaying in one, why not take your camera out for some stunning shots.
Look out for interesting buildings, reflections and shadows.  Look at intricate brickwork – look out for people mobbing around, for wildlife and for cars, but before you start there are some basic things to remember.  First is safety.  There is no reason why a city at night shouldn’t be safe but it is always important to be cautious.  If you are on your own try to bring some company.  Women can be a greater target especially if working solo so take a friend or companion with you.

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Bags packed, passport at hand – what else was there?  Being a photographer on holiday means that you will often want to take all the essentials without being burdened with too much heavy equipment.  With some careful planning, you should be able to travel wisely with your kit, whilst having everything you need at hand.  Here are some hints and tips on what you need to do before you go.
Whilst people take new clothes on holiday all the time, taking your shiny new equipment abroad is not usually a god idea. For one thing you should take items that you are completely familiar with and don’t need to spend time reading the instructions to use.

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In the summer, some lucky people get to sail the high seas.  If you have sea legs, then maybe you can have a go at some photography on your boat.  You need to be confident on your legs, and you need to be able to find something interesting in seemingly mundane situations.  Don’t forget that you will need to be extra careful with your equipment as you are near water and that a fast lens is always helpful.
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