{"id":4587,"date":"2016-06-01T07:00:43","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T14:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodshop.com\/blog\/?p=4587"},"modified":"2021-04-19T17:50:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T17:50:44","slug":"how-to-improve-your-outdoor-photography-tips-from-the-pros","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.goodsearchcorp.com\/how-to-improve-your-outdoor-photography-tips-from-the-pros\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Improve Your Outdoor Photography: Tips from the Pros"},"content":{"rendered":"

Summer is a great time to grab your camera and head out into nature to capture the great outdoors.\u00a0Perhaps you\u2019re heading to a national or state park and want to capture its glory. Or you might want to set up a model for an outdoor portrait session. Maybe preserving memories of a backyard barbecue or day at the beach is more your style.<\/p>\n

\"How<\/p>\n

Whatever you\u2019re looking to capture, now is\u00a0a great time to hone your skills.\u00a0We chatted with a few professional photographers to learn how to make the most of the great outdoors. Keep reading to learn more.<\/p>\n

\"Hand<\/h3>\n

How Outdoor Photography Is Different from Indoor Photography<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s clear that indoor photos\u00a0look<\/em>\u00a0different from ones taken outside. Natural lighting is a major factor. But what else makes taking pictures outside so different from taking indoor pictures?<\/p>\n

Infinite possibilities<\/h4>\n

According to Sam Breach, a commercial and portrait photographer, \u201cShooting outside gives you an infinite number of possibilities. Not only do you have access to the largest, brightest light source of all \u2014 the sun \u2014 you also have a wide range of vistas and backdrops and a lot of space in which to play.\u201d<\/p>\n

Freedom to play<\/h4>\n

The freedom to play relaxes your subjects, too. \u201cInside is a more intimate experience. Outdoors you feel more expansive,\u201d says Pixie from Pixie Vision Photography. She believes an outdoor environment can soften a subject\u2019s attention. \u201cThey\u2019re more relaxed. They can shine more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Light variety<\/h4>\n

Freedom to play allows for more variety with textures and light, too. If you set up your subject facing the sun, they\u2019ll end up squinting, and there will be \u201chot spots\u201d on their face. You want the light to be even.<\/p>\n

Pixie explains that\u00a0you can create a halo effect by setting up your subject with the sunlight behind them, \u201cso the light is glowing. Use a reflector to bounce the light into their face.\u201d Reflectors can cost as little as $20 on sites like Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Composition options<\/h4>\n

Shooting outside allows for more flexibility with your composition, because you have a greater variety of spaces available. For composition, think of your photo as three parts: foreground, middle ground, and background. If there\u2019s something of interest in each section, your photo will have more depth.<\/p>\n

According to Ryan Burroughs, a photographer in San Francisco, \u201cShooting from different distances and heights makes your background more \u2014 or less! \u2014 interesting.\u201d So head for the hills or climb a tree and see where your creativity takes you.<\/p>\n

\"Dolphins<\/h3>\n

How to Capture a Spontaneous Shot<\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve all been there: seeing children on the beach while dolphins are jumping in the background (or some other can\u2019t-miss moment), and wishing we had a picture of it. While it\u2019s currently impossible to pause time, the best way to never miss a shot is to have your camera with you and ready.<\/p>\n

Be prepared<\/h4>\n

\u201cIf it\u2019s in your hand,\u201d says Sam, \u201cwith the lens cap off and already set up to shoot for the current lighting conditions, then that\u2019s a bonus in your favor. Knowing the settings on your camera inside out will give you a further advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Use burst mode<\/h4>\n

For fast-moving subjects, like jumping dolphins and running children, the setting\u00a0to know is\u00a0burst mode<\/em>, also known as\u00a0continuous high-speed mode<\/em>. This\u00a0setting captures several photos in quick succession when you hold down the shutter button.<\/p>\n

Many\u00a0camera phones offer this option. Just tap and hold the shutter button to take up to around 20 photos in one moment.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re shooting with\u00a0a DSLR, first double-check that your camera has this feature, since it\u2019s optional on many cameras. Then hold the shutter button down while you capture the moment. Some cameras can capture up to 40 images per second.<\/p>\n

Set to 1\/250<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re adept at manually adjusting your shutter speed, the setting you\u2019ll want for jumping dolphins is 1\/250. For best results, add\u00a0a 70-200mm telephoto zoom lens.<\/p>\n

A telephoto lens also helps you to be as unobtrusive as possible, says Pixie. \u201cMake yourself small. You don\u2019t want to get in the way of that moment. You don\u2019t matter; the moment matters. You\u2019re a documentarian.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Guy<\/h3>\n

Practice Brings Control<\/h2>\n

There\u2019s really only one way to improve your photography skills: by practicing them. Arm yourself with your phone\u2019s camera or your DSLR set to automatic mode and start shooting.<\/p>\n

Just keep trying<\/h4>\n

\u201cIn the long term,\u201d says Sam, \u201cthere is no substitute for arming yourself with knowledge, understanding the foundation of photographic principles, and practicing what you learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learn from mistakes<\/h4>\n

Taking your camera to the beach or the park and shooting various subjects can be a great place to start. Sam\u00a0suggests, \u201cTry shooting the same subject repeatedly but changing the settings on your DSLR each time, so you start to understand how the end result is affected by each setting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Learning your camera\u2019s settings and their results gives you more control, which ultimately \u201cgives you the power to create the image in your mind\u2019s eye, rather than letting the camera decide for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don’t be shy<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re a beginner, you might feel awkward taking pictures of people you don\u2019t know. But try not to be that person creeping around in the corner of the park. Shake off your shyness and practice approaching people first.<\/p>\n

According to Ryan, \u201cWhile the law says no one has an expectation of privacy out in public, it\u2019s more fun for everyone to only shoot people who want to be shot. Ask with a smile.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Natural<\/h3>\n

Shooting Giants (Mountains and Canyons)<\/h2>\n

Traveling to areas with tremendous natural beauty can be a photo buff\u2019s dream. But if you\u2019ve ever tried to photograph a mountain, it’s possible you\u2019ve been disappointed \u2014 at least as a beginner.<\/p>\n

It can be tough to translate awe-inspiring nature to a photo. \u201cIt was so much better in person,\u201d we end up saying with a shrug. That said, there are some tricks to capturing nature\u2019s beauty in all its glory.<\/p>\n

Time it right<\/h4>\n

Timing is crucial. Professional photographers swoon over the \u201cgolden hour.\u201d This\u00a0period just before sunrise or sunset is when the lighting turns the world beautiful.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever, ever,\u00a0ever<\/em>\u00a0shoot between 11AM and 1PM!\u201d advises Pixie (with a laugh). \u201cThe light is so flat then.\u201d Also, take note of the direction of the sun on your subject. \u201cSome places will get beautiful light in the morning, others in the evening,\u201d says Ryan. \u201cIf possible, scout it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get up early<\/h4>\n

Sunset is a popular time to photograph natural<\/a> treasures, but early birds might have an edge.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe advantage to traveling in the summertime is that the sun rises really early,\u201d says Sam. \u201cPeople on vacation don\u2019t usually want to wake up at the crack of dawn, so tourist locations will be far quieter at this time. \u2026 Not only is the light more beautiful at this time as it transitions from blue hour to golden hour, you\u2019ll be competing with fewer people for the best compositions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drone carefully<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019re considering using a drone to capture nature\u2019s bounty from above, be aware of newer laws. \u201cDo some research before you fly,\u201d recommends Ryan. \u201cDrones have been banned in many national parks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Peaceful<\/h3>\n

Take Only Pictures and Leave Only Footprints<\/h2>\n

While you\u2019re tromping around in nature taking photos of it, you\u2019ll want to be aware of your impact on the area. \u201cDon\u2019t stand on plants if you can help it,\u201d advises Pixie. Sometimes that will require a stretch of the imagination.<\/p>\n

Get creative<\/h4>\n

According to Sam, \u201cThere is no greater achievement than being able to think outside the box while remaining in the confines of the box. Creativity is born from restraint. Work your imagination to make the best of what you have access to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Watch your step<\/h4>\n

Leave the wildlife alone. Don\u2019t pick flowers to decorate your subject or take home \u201csouvenirs.\u201d Don\u2019t feed the animals.\u00a0Remove any trash and adhere to the principle of\u00a0leave no trace<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Ryan suggests, \u201cUse a telephoto lens to get up close and personal without physically disturbing anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Know your place<\/h4>\n

Be a good sport and play by the rules. This means keeping your park visits legit: pay your parking fees and\u00a0entrance permits. \u201cPay the fee gladly,\u201d says Pixie. \u201cIt goes to beautify the park.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t ignore signs which advise you to keep to the path,\u201d says Sam, \u201cand don\u2019t climb over fences or barriers designed to keep humans out. The world is a big place, and you don\u2019t need to sneak past a no-entry sign to create a great image.\u201d<\/p>\n

Share the beauty<\/h4>\n

Finally, remember why you\u2019re taking pictures in the great outdoors in the first place: because you find it beautiful. Allow that beauty to flow through your photos, so\u00a0others can enjoy it, too. A shared experience can have far-reaching effects. As Pixie puts it, \u201cYou\u2019re a ripple.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Find coupons for\u00a0cameras, photography equipment, and photography accessories<\/a><\/p>\n

Do you have any favorite outdoor photography tips? Share them in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Special thank you to:<\/p>\n