I ran into this post by means of my Pickleberry Pop newsletter & thought I'd share :)
Photography tips through the seasons, by Shawna
Photographs play a very big part in the final outcome of our scrapbook layouts. Most scrapbook layouts contain at least one photograph. If your photo is lacking in quality, it will be more difficult to produce a layout that has that perfect touch. We all want to make layouts that not only will be cherished for years to come, but layouts that we can also proudly show off in the many galleries of digi land! I mean honestly who doesn't want to be noticed and praised for all of our hard work!
You don't have to be a professional photographer to take great photos, nor do you need a very fancy and expensive camera. The internet makes it extremely fast and easy to find great tutorials, tips and tricks to taking great photos. I know it is hard to rip yourselves away from scrap booking long enough to find tips on taking great photos, so I have done the grueling work of digging up a few tips and tricks for you. I am just nice like that :).
It is summer here in the U.S but not everybody is lucky enough to be sitting pool side, ice cold beverage and camera in hand. So I have included photography tips that span the seasons. To keep this article short enough to spare you some scrappin' time, I will give you three easy tips for each season.
First lets start with winter, it was a very warm 98 degrees here today and I need to think cold!
Did you know that keeping your camera cold can be key to keeping your camera ready for those wonderfully winter shots? Warming and cooling your camera will cause condensation and render your camera unusable. It is easier to brush falling snow off a cold camera as well. Falling snow on a warm camera makes for first a wet, then a frozen mess. But don't try to blow snow off your camera with your breath! This too can cause a frozen condensated mess.
The sunlight during the early morning and late afternoon offers unique photography opportunities due to the reflections and colors. Get an early start and you will be rewarded.
Look for the contrasting lines and objects that appear when the snow does not completely cover the landscape. Place yourself in multiple positions to find the most dynamic photograph. Don't forget to add some color to the photograph as it will create a dramatic effect with the white snow.
Spring….Oh the beauty of spring.
Take advantage of the best light. Usually morning light for warm yellow tones, late afternoon or evening light will give you a warmer hint of red to full red.
Shoot reflections. Puddles, pools of water, moisture on objects, close ups of dew, all make good subjects while we are still experiencing rain. After spring rains, creeks, streams and waterfalls are at their most picturesque. So spring is a great time to photograph these waterways.
Shoot in black and white. The sun's still not out quite as much so on overcast days try shooting in black and white to get whatever contrast you have to stand out.
Summer, warm temperatures at last!
The best times to take photos are in the morning and the late afternoons when light is not much of a hindrance to good photos. Whatever images you wish to photograph utilize these times to produce beautiful summer photos.
Too much light can destroy the photo. It can turn out to be too bright such that you cannot even see the image properly.
Time and place is also essential in taking summer photos. A good background can be the answer to a plain image and it can actually make the photo look different and a little less plain.
Last but not least, my favorite season, Fall.
While you can get great results at any time of the day – I love shooting Autumn colours at the end of the day just before sunset when the light is golden. This accentuates the reds and golds even more than normal.
Some people keep their cameras in their bags on days where the sun isn't shining – but they can actually be the best days. I like overcast days because they help create a mood that you can't get on a sunny day – plus the images are generally nice and rich.
Shooting into the sun will result in shadows, lower saturation of colours and lens flare which further reduces the impact of colours. On Sunny days – keep the sun at your back.
And that wraps it up. I hope these tips were as helpful to you as they have been to me. I am a beginning beginner when it comes to taking great photographs, if I can do it, ANYONE can do it! Have fun and share all of those captured memories.
