Getting Ready for a Summer Photo Project
by Cody Johnson | Jun 25, 2013 | Art & Decor
People consider the summer to be perfect for taking photographs thanks to its perfect lighting condition and the lack of rain or snow getting in the way. Now even though the weather may be on your side during this season, you still need to be prepared if you expect to capture beautiful images of summer this year. Here are some of the things you should consider if you’re set on pursuing a summer photo project.
Determine the Ideal Camera for Your Project
While there are a lot of cameras to choose from in today’s market, each one offers different features and benefits. When choosing one, always remember the objectives you’ve set out for this project. Here’s a list of cameras which you can consider investing in:
- DSLR. Big, bulky, and looking like your father’s old film cameras, DSLR have carved a reputation of delivering quality images at every shot. For those who want to take things seriously during a summer project, this is a camera you should consider investing in. It provides more settings than a point-and-shoot camera giving you more creative freedom in composing a shot. Plus, it can be paired up with a variety of lenses making it easier for anyone to capture moments even from a distance.
- Mirrorless Cameras. While it may look like an ordinary point-and-shoot camera, what mirrorless cameras have going for them is they come with their own interchangeable lens. Think of it as a hybrid between a point-and-shoot and a DLSR - small but packs a wallop. They’re also lightweight makes them easy to carry around. If you’ll be always on the go, this type of camera can get you the shots you want without compromising your mobility.
- Smartphones. Photographers once scoffed at the idea of using camera phones due to their poor resolution. However, with the advent of smart phones, photographers are now more open to using these portable devices to take photos. Since most of them now carry the same specs as point-and-shoot cameras, anybody with knowledge in photography can come up with a beautiful composition using this gadget. The best part here is that once you’ve taken a shot, you can immediately post your photo online.
Don’t Leave Out Your Camera’s Accessories
Once you’ve selected your camera, the next thing you need to look into is the accessories you’ll bring. While some will tell you that they’re extra baggage, having them along won’t hurt you, especially when you find yourself missing out on a good shot just because you left one of these bare essentials.
- Tripod. Shaky hands can ruin even the most beautiful imagery which is why most – if not all – photographers will tell you to bring your own tripod. This will help keep your hands steady and help you achieve the right height to capture the subject matter you’re after.
- Memory Cards. No matter how big your camera’s memory card is, with all the shots you’ll be taking, sooner or later, you will run out of space. So play it safe and bring a couple of extra memory cards with you. That way, when the right subject or moment comes along, you won’t have to start panicking and delete some of the images you previously took just to get one more shot.
- Extra and Fully Charged Batteries. One of the things that will drive any photographer insane is to let a picture perfect shot slip by just because their camera’s batteries died out. So make sure you have a couple packed along to ensure that your camera will always be powered up and ready to take a shot.
Determine the Best Time to Take Your Photos
When taking photographs during the summer, you’ll be working with different natural lighting conditions. To ensure you get the best images, here are some of the things you should take into consideration depending on the time of day you set out to take photos.
- Sunny. On a vibrant and sunny day, be sure to go out during the afternoons since they offer better lighting compared to dusk or dawn. Just be sure that when you take photos at this time, to adjust the angles of your shots to avoid lens flare. You could also use objects around you as cover to get a better shot. Hiding behind a tree, under a roof, or in any covered area can greatly improve your photographs.
- Low Light. While the afternoons can bring about lens flare, a low light setting can increase the chances of image blurring. To ensure that your photos come up right, always keep your hands steady when shooting. Better yet, prop your camera on something stable like your tripod. Another option is to increase the ISO setting of your camera to bring in more light. Of course, even though you’re after more lighting, avoid using flash on a subject to maintain the natural look of both your subject and environment under regular lighting conditions.
- Sunset. With taking photographs during sunset, always keep in mind that the colors you see might not end up looking good once you’ve taken the picture. During this time, consider tweaking your camera’s exposure setting. This will help bring out the saturated colors by keeping your image underexposed. To give you an idea where to find this setting in your camera, simply look for the dial with a plus and minus sign.
