One of the photographic techniques that I find really useful, as obvious as it may sound, is making sure that I always have my camera with me when I head out. It can be quite surprising when revisiting an area that we think we know.  Things change all the time. Maybe the lighting is different. Perhaps you are passing through at a different time of the day and a scene that hadn’t previously imposed any particular sense of drama suddenly impresses you.

I recall driving through an area many times before. There was a long white sand beach with a bridge over a stream at the northern end. I had even picnicked and swum at the northern end of the beach last summer. In the intervening months since I had last visited the beach, the local council had built a path under the bridge and alongside the stream bed as part of a beautification process opening up an area which wasn’t previously accessible from the beach.

As a result I was able to acquire some very pretty landscapes where I wasn’t really expecting anything in particular.  So even if you are familiar with an area, remember not to take things for granted. People and places do change and often over shorter time-frames than what you might appreciate.

Especially now with the advent of digital cameras, immediate recall and the ability to shoot many pics without the handicap of time and cost of development, why not take multiple photos of the same scene. Play with different exposure settings, angles, variations in zoom. Change the perspective, turn the camera sideways through 90 degrees, or even set the horizon on diagonally opposite corners to optimize composition if that is what it takes.

Work through different shots of the same scene at different focal lengths, telephoto through to wide-angle and be surprised at how much variation can be achieved in the shot.  Eventually you will find the optimum picture which may appear to be quite different from the first impression. Capture a range of photos and make your selection afterwards rather than discard options at the time.  

With the benefit of hindsight it is possible to re-crop a shot to change the emphasis or mood. Digital storage is so cheap now that retaining shots that may be less than optimum and having a library of images for later use offers alternate cropping options to accent different aspects of the photo.  

Telephoto lenses enable magnification of a distant subject and wide angle lenses reduce the depth of field enabling more content to be included in the. Compact cameras achieve this variation through a single lens that offers variable focal length usually between 30-70 mm or similar and often with inbuilt converters that double or treble the focal length,  increasing the telephoto capability whereas with a digital SLR (DSLR) these are separately acquired hardware options and each lens or converter has different characteristics.

A lens that offers variable focal length usually between 30-70 mm is recognised as a standard zoom lens and will be able to be used in most scenarios. It is only when exploring the extremes that specialist lenses such as fish-eye, wide-angle, telephoto and converters are required.    

Adding scale to a photograph is another way to improve composition and generate a sense of the dramatic in your pictures. A large rock or tree to one side in the foreground with say a waterfall or mountain occupying the centre thirds of your photograph with the sky above, not only aids the composition but also imparts a sense of grandeur to your shot.  Adding more sky to your photograph can create a sense of “wide open spaces.”   

Changing the mood and feel of a scene can make the difference between average and stunning photographs. Allowing the setting sun, for example, to light up your shot or shooting into the sun to create silhouettes can produce wonderful shots.

Capturing sunlight through leaves or tree branches can achieve a dappled effect of light and shade to augment photographs.  Two hours after dawn and two hours before dusk are great times for shooting, enabling best use of light and shade. When the sun is higher, shadows are more intense and strong shadows require extra lighting, increasing the technical complexity of a potential shot.

Shooting buildings in cityscapes represents some interesting challenges where sunlight at certain angles can enhance building detail or by reflecting off glass and stainless steel, produce interesting light effects.

The very same shot at a different time might appear uninteresting without the detail emphasized. The sun going down between two tall buildings with the inner faces of both buildings lit up and other parts in shadow or semi-silhouette might achieve a very dramatic photograph.

Looking for reflections in puddles or other still bodies of water is a great way to add to your photographic composition and fill in the foreground with extra color to enhance your picture.

A good way to improve your understanding of landscape photography (or any other photography genre for that matter) is to take an image that you really admire from a leading exponent and pick the picture to pieces, isolating the different aspects that come together to create the photo. By identifying and analyzing the components of the photograph you come to gain an appreciation for the mechanics of the composition thus increasing your knowledge. Use the identified facets in your own photography to enhance your skills.

Good hunting!

Additional Resources:

Some sources that you might like to check out for techniques, tips, tricks,  and more can be found in photography books and magazines at my website portal www.photographyglobal.com where you can follow links to the best deals and discounts that that the web has to offer.  

For a shopping portal that offers access to best value and hard to beat buys for camera and photography accessories and equipment, you won’t go past my website portal www.photographyglobal.com where you can follow links to the best deals and discounts that that the web has to offer.

One of the things I really like about having a hobby such as photography is that I can make money from my hobby and as you might appreciate, there can be no better thing, no better lifestyle option than doing the things you love to do….

The bonus is that my love of photography can produce income, enhancing my lifestyle and sense of satisfaction with my hobby.

I’d like to give others the opportunity to convert their favourite hobby into a financially rewarding life-style choice by helping you create a business opportunity and income stream from your favourite hobby.

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Given that concept, one can surmise that photography is, indeed, a work of art captured in technicalities and presented in an exceptional manner.

The total impression on the subject will always depend on the way the photographer wants to present his or her subject matter.

For this reason, special classes in photography provided for those who wish to perfect their skills as far as photography is concerned. However, there are some basic tips that every budding photographer must know in order to succeed in this kind of endeavor.

Here is a list of some of the important pointers that every photographer should know:

1. Get ready

The key to good shots is to have all of your necessary materials ready. One of the basic skills needed in photography is the point and shoot.

However, you can’t do this if you lack the materials that you need such as extra batteries (in case you run out of battery supplies), a tripod (for a steady footing), and other devices like the lenses that would aid your ability to incorporate the point and shoot skill.

Besides, you would not want to be wasting your time rummaging through your bag to find those additional lenses just to get a close up shot of your subject. Aside from time-consuming, your subject might lose interest or if it is a moving object, it might not stay longer than you have expected.

2. Be steady with your camera

One of the main reasons why pictures may come out blurred is the fact that some photographers can’t get a steady hand on their cameras.

It would be better to avoid shaking your camera. If you really can’t avoid these, it would better to use a tripod or inserting your elbows to your sides so that you get a stable grip.

3. Focus on your subject

By attending some photography classes, you should be able to learn how to get the best angles to capture your subject. Just keep in mind to focus on your subject and not on anything else.

These are just some of basic tips that you will learn in a photography class. Just keep them in mind and you are on your way to your best shot.

Some students don’t have to go to campus anymore. There are some institutions that offer distance education. A good example is the New York Institute of Photography.

You will learn everything from exposure, lenses, the various techniques used to cover different events, journalism and much more. Being affiliated with the school, you will be entitled to free online magazine articles such as contests and digital imaging.

Classes are composed of 30 lectures on various topics. You will get a brief introduction through each and then can specialize on a particular field of interest. The nice thing about the program is that you don’t have to quit your regular job. This can be done in your free time so there isn’t any pressure in learning everything about photography.

Aside from theoretical lectures, there will be a lot of hands on experience. This will make it easy for you to apply what has been learned as seen in the photographs that have been taken using the camera.

The common notion of being a photographer is that you must have a dark room to develop the photos. You will be happy to know that this isn’t the practice anymore. Some of the best names in the business don’t do this anymore which gives more time to focus on getting the perfect shots.

Education is something you can never get enough of even as you get older. The curriculum is there. All the individual has to do is acquire knowledge from some of the best then apply it after finishing the course.

The rewards of becoming a photographer are endless. It is up to the you whether or not you have the potential to win the Pulitzer Prize or be one of many who do this as a profession.

Photography school can be a lot of fun. You should just submit the requirements then enroll in the course.

For fifty some years I have been peeling bananas. It is often a struggle. I look for anything to get a starting cut into the skin near the stem so that I can start the peeling process without smushing (come on, that has to be a legitimate word…), the fruit. I have tried everything from a fingernail to a key, but knives work best.

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