Canon EOS 5D Mark III Review
You’ve seen this camera’s predecessors, the Canon EOS 5D Mark II and 7D and Nikon’s D90, everywhere or, least you’ve seen their product on TV or at the movies.
What made many industry players sit up and look closely was the use of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II to shoot the finale of the series House, produced entirely on this camera.
In TV and feature movie production, cameras like these have been snapped up eagerly by producers, camera operators and Directors of Photography who know what top quality should look like and then read the low sticker price!
Until recently, the big boys like Sony, Panavision, Arri, JVC and others were responsible for the top camera gear in this field and the prices were astronomical … and then RED entered the field with a different approach to professional digital video capture.
Side-by-side with this situation still cameras also became smarter and able to capture Full HD 1920×1080 pixel video capture. So we now have the Canon EOS 5D Mark III, ready and waiting for the TV and movie industry to take up the technology.
Of course, there are issues with the use of a digital still camera to capture a high end moving image. Among them are the awkward viewfinder arrangement, lack of a power zoom, the use of a rolling shutter which can cause havoc with cross-frame action, audio capture is an issue, the file format is another … and there are others, not least of which is how to cope with the odd shape of a DSLR compared to a pro video camera.
There are some attractive pluses in this situation, amongst which is the large image size, enabling operators to use lenses which are closer in focal length to the optics used in 35mm motion picture film photography, the gold standard of the industry. As a film industry friend once said to me: “Everyone in this industry wants the film look but no-one wants the video look!”
But hey! It also shoot stills!
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Features
Supplied with the f4/24-105mm EF lens the review camera bundle was surely a big beast, weighing in at 1.5kg.
The body is constructed from magnesium-alloy, while dust and water resistance have been improved with the addition of water-resistant seals around buttons, dials and strap hooks.
As arguably the top DSLR model, around this camera is now the equivalent of the one time medium format 6×6/6×9 cameras that sat near the top of the pile. It is also one of the reasons for the popularity of Micro Four Thirds, Four Thirds and similar smaller sized sensors: these little babies can shoot images all the way up to as large as most people want.
The EOS 5D Mark III has a full frame 36x24mm sensor holding 22.3 million pixels, with a maximum image size of 5750×3840 pixels, or an enormous 49x33cm as a print. Of course, with a high quality lens and the right shooting conditions you can expect a much larger output with the use of a lower dpi. It accepts Compact Flash and SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
It’s worth making a comparison between a camera such as Samsung’s NX200 which has a pixel population of 20.3 million, packed into a sensor that is just 40 per cent the size of the Canon’s. With the latter’s larger pixels you enjoy the benefits of a higher signal to noise ratio and an expanded dynamic range.
Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch in this game so a larger sensor means you need longer focal length lenses to capture an image equivalent in perspective to the smaller sensor cameras. Longer focal length lenses = reduced depth of field.
In the AF area there has been a distinct improvement with the use of a new 61-point reticular AF system; this includes up to 41 cross-type focus points while extra points have been positioned to left and right of centre frame. The result is greater precision. A big improvement over the Mark II.
You also can now enjoy 6fps continuous shooting with a release time of app 0.59ms.
High Dynamic Range is now included in the new camera: three images of a single scene are captured at different exposures varying by an f stop each; these are then merged into a single HDR image.
Oddly, in such a high level camera there are four picture effects available (Art Standard, Art Vivid, Art Bold and Art Embossed), surely an admission by Canon that even pros will occasionally resort to a quick and dirty picture fix to get that special effect wanted by clients!
There are two multi exposure modes: function/control priority for composed multi-exposure images and then theres’s a continuous shooting priority mode to snare multiple exposures of a moving subject. This means you can combine two and nine images in a single image in continuous shooting mode or four in function/control priority mode.
I liked the extensive array of external controls, which meant there is less dipping and diving into the viewfinder menu, excellent as it is.
One comment: there is no onboard flash gun; Canon says this exclusion is due to body integrity requirements — adding a flash would jeopardise dust and moisture exclusion. But it’s a pity that there’s no vari-angle finder.
Video
The EOS 5D Mark III captures video in Full HD 1920×1080 in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format.
Some notes: unlike a camcorder or some other digital cameras the autofocus does not operate while shooting; if you zoom during a shot there may be some changes in exposure; you can ‘pull focus’ during video shooting by hitting the AF-ON button (not the shutter button!); fast lateral pans may show vertical distortion; the camera’s onboard microphone is mono but an external stereo mic can be plugged in; total shoot time is between 1hr 20 and 1hr 30 minutes or limited by your memory card’s capacity.
You can, surprisingly, shoot a still while mid-movie recording and command the camera to record each to the same card. This of course interrupts the movie recording.
Post-shooting you can edit the start or end of the movie clip and save the edited clip as a new file. This worked surprisingly well and could be useful to an operator in the field.
I found extended handheld use of the camera a bit of a strain; a shoulder harness or similar would be useful.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III ISO Results
The ISO range extends to ISO 25,600 but there is an extension to 51,200 and 102,400.
My tests were set to go only as far as ISO 25,600, at which point, as you can see, definition is acceptable but noise is identifiable.
Extra Gear for the Canon EOS 5D Mark III
The BG-E11 Battery Grip can house 2 x LP-E6 and 6 x AA batteries. It also has a multi-controller and M-Fn button for easy and quick operation.
The new Speedlite 600EX-RT is the first Canon Speedlite to offer wireless radio transmission (and not IR), along with a shorter recycle time.Guide number: 60m at ISO 100, lens at 200mm. Coverage? A wide 20mm.
The WFT-E7 Wireless File Transmitter supports high- speed communication over 802.11a/b/g/n networks and can be connected to high-speed wired Ethernet networks.
There is also a compact GPS receiver, the GP-E2, enabling photographers to record shooting location and orientation.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Quality
This baby will shoot top TV and stills industry gold standards. Nuff said.
Why you’d buy it: you want a silent shooting mode; industry standard video capture.
Why you wouldn’t: weight is against your style.
This is obviously the one to beat in the top shelf.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Specifications
Image Sensor: 22.3 million effective pixels.
Metering: 63 zone full aperture, partial, centre-weighted; spot.
Effective Sensor Size: 36x24mm.
35 SLR Lens Factor: 1x.
Shutter Speed: 30 to 1/8000 second, Bulb. Flash X-sync at 1/200 second.
Memory: CompactFlash (Type I, UDMA mode 7-compatible), SD/SDHC/SDXC.
Image Sizes (pixels): 5750×3840 to 720×480.
Movies: 1920×1080 at 24/30/50 fps, 1280×720, 640×480.
A/D Resolution Power: 14-bit.
Viewfinders: Optical pentaprism, 8.1cm LCD (1.04 million pixels).
File Formats: RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG, MPEG4 (MOV).
Continuous Shooting: 6fps.
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 25,600xxx.
Interface: USB2.0, AV, HDMI mini, mic, headphone, PC, remote control.
Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC adaptor.
Dimensions: 152×116.4×76.4 WHDmm.
Weight: Approx. 860 g (body only).
Price: Get a price on the Canon EOS 5D Mark III (body only)at Amazon.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Stop Whining About Your Equipment, Get Out There And Shoot!
Every day I get emails from photographers asking which camera to buy so they might become better photographers. STOP! Use what you have, get out there and shoot! As Darren Rowse wrote in a recent article about camera lust ”Sometimes I think our lust for cameras and gear could be getting in the way of actually becoming better photographers.” I have to agree with that statement.
I love using a good camera and an L lens as much as the next photographer. That new camera and expensive lens does not create a good picture. You do! And processing software? Photoshop, Lightroom or Aperture will not turn a bad picture into a good one, but they will certainly help make a good image even better.
A new camera will not make you a better photographer. Period. It will only make you a new camera owner. To become a better photographer, learn to see. Learn to see the new and see the familiar as new. Get out there every day on photo walks. Work on a daily or weekly project. Give yourself assignments or goals. Most importantly – get outside your comfort zone! Shoot, shoot and shoot some more.
If your work is not improving and you have the money, then buy more gear and help the economy. If your work is improving, and you feel limited by the equipment you have and you have the funds, then maybe it’s time to invest in a better camera body or a new lens.
I used the most basic gear for years. Even as I turned pro, I kept using the same equipment for quite a while. Sometimes my clients had better cameras than I had! I upgraded my gear gradually only as my client base grew and I could afford it. I did not go into debt and honed my skills as a result. I am very grateful for that.
It’s true that a more advanced – and expensive – camera system can improve your work, but only if you already know how to make a good picture with your current equipment. Everyday I see dozens of amazing images shot with basic cameras or iPhones. I also see plenty of bad pictures shot with fancy, expensive equipment. When someone sees a truly great image, they don’t ask which camera was used. They say, “Wow, who took that amazing photograph?” After a piano performance, no one ever asks the concert pianist whether she was playing on a Yamaha or a Steinway. The audience is moved by the performance, not by the piano. Let’s face it, the most iconic photographs of the last century were all made with far less sophisticated equipment than the most basic point and shoot we have today, but they all had something in common: They were made by people with passion and vision.
Inspiration is everywhere – online, in photography books and in the work of others. Get inspired, but don’t try to copy them! The idea is for you to develop your own style, not imitate others. Style comes with vision, technical expertise, and experimenting – it takes time to develop. A better camera may make you look cool, but it will not provide you with photographic style.
Limitations are challenges that can serve you well. For example, even if you own ten different lenses, carry just one on your photo walks. That one lens will help you see your familiar world in new ways – and your back will thank you later! Maybe you can only afford a used DSLR and a 50mm f/1.8 – then take some awesome pictures with that. Either way, in the long run you will improve your craft and shoot some killer images along the way.
We all have to start somewhere. Our camera is just a tool. It’s okay to lust after the latest gear, we all do to some extent, but stop whining and wishing you had the latest Canon or Nikon. Get out there and use what you have. That is what will make you a better photographer.
Happy shooting!
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Stop Whining About Your Equipment, Get Out There And Shoot!
How to Avoid Common Scams to Steal Your Camera Gear and Rip You Off
For most of us, base jumping Go Pro photographers excepted, photography is a pretty safe hobby or profession. However sometimes we forget that the pride and joy hanging around our neck, is in fact, an expensive, hi-tech piece of equipment that may have cost several thousand dollars. The aim of this article is to inform but, not scare you, of some of the more frequent scams, both out on the streets and online. Being forewarned is being forearmed and understanding what is going on has helped me on more than one occasion.
How to Stay Safe on Location
There are a number of common scams on the streets at the moment. One of the most common, particularly in South America involves being stopped by a concerned passer by who points out some sort of dirt on your backpack. Often this is shaving foam as it can look like bird droppings. The passerby will attempt to wipe the dirt away, creating a diversion for co-conspirators to rifle your pockets, or even your backpack itself. If you are approached in a street under these circumstances, the best policy is do not stop, keep walking to a secure or busy location and then clean off the dirt yourself.
A fairly new scam, particularly in Eastern Europe is lens theft. You will be walking down a busy street, pull you camera up to take a photo and find the lens has gone. The teams carrying out these audacious thefts are very good at it, they know an expensive lens from a cheap one and they know which way the lens rotates on its bayonet. They will be long gone before you even notice it is missing. It nearly always happens on busy streets in crowds of people where you are easily distracted. Best policy to prevent this, is to keep you camera in a secure camera bag, until you actually need it, and avoid using the camera in large crowds.
The Mediterranean is not without it’s problems either. One very common scam in Naples, Italy but prevalent around Med countries is the moped grab. This usually happens down quiet streets with no pavement or sidewalk and involves two people on a moped coming up behind you and pinning you to a wall with the front wheel of the bike. The moped passenger will then cut the camera straps and the two will ride off. Always stay alert down backstreets and only bring out your camera when you need it.
If considering buying a camera in a duty free location be aware that the prices in the shop window, whilst looking a bargain may be a scam to get you in the door. Very often the vendor will tell you that you need to buy a charger, battery and memory card, which all together greatly inflate the price. All camera manufacturers will provide a battery and charger by default and these should be included with any purchase. Before purchasing, do your research, check the prices at home and in reputable dealers where you are going. Also look at the warranty details, often cameras bought in one country will not be covered by a guarantee in your home country. Be aware also, that you may need to buy power socket adapters for the charger if you buy your camera abroad.
Here are a few little tips for staying safe outside, if you have an expensive brand camera, us a little black electrical tape to cover the logo. Use generic unbranded camera straps and a camera bag that can be locked using luggage locks. When carry your camera, double wrap the strap around your hands and keep a tight grip on it and if hanging it from your neck, put your camera bag straps over the camera straps making it difficult for a snatch and grab.
How to Get Safe Camera Deals Online
Many of us buy our equipment online these days – the internet has become a great place to research and find the best deals on cameras and lenses. There are some superb retailers online with great prices and reputations but there are also many scam sites. If you find a camera online with a great price, check the company out. Google the business and in particular, search discussions via Google. This will give you real peoples’ experiences of a company. Some sophisticated scams will pay people to write positive comments on forums so always visit plenty of different sites and get a wide range of opinions. The simple rule of thumb is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true. Generally you will not get better prices than the well known big international sites, due to their sheer purchasing power.
Love it or hate it, eBay has a massive market for photographic goods. If buying from eBay, always check the sellers reputation in detail. Very often scammers will steal accounts or sell many low price items to get a good reputation. Look for established eBayers that have an excellent reputation selling photographic equipment and ask detailed questions about the equipment. A genuine seller will almost always have their own photos of the product rather than generic ones stolen from the web.
If selling equipment, its best to specify mailing to your own country only and specify that the buyer must be Paypal verified or pay cash on collection. Never send an item until you are 100% sure the money has been received and you have transferred it to a safe bank account. Many scammers try to use money sending services such as Western Union, these are nearly always a scam and to be avoided. If you suspect the leading bidder is a scam report it immediately to eBay.
Ebay is also a breeding ground for fake memory cards. Many of these look identical to the real branded versions but will be made from inferior components and more prone to failure. Alway buy from a reputable company either through eBay or from their direct website.
You may never encounter any of these dangers or scams, but we hope that by being aware of them you will less likely to fall victim to them. Stay alert and focused and most of all, enjoy your photography.
Jason Row is a British born travel photographer now living in Ukraine. You can follow him on Facebook or visit his site, The Odessa Files. He also maintains a blog chronicling his exploits as an Expat in the former Soviet Union
A Simple Lighting Technique for Couples Portraits
Photographing couples is quite literally one of the most enjoyable parts of my career. I love that with two people in love, you have such great capacity for shots that are unique, engaging, and artistic. Additionally, there is something wonderful to be said about the freedom and control we have with only 2 people to pose and direct.
I want to share a simple lighting technique that I have found to make an enormous difference between an “average” couples portrait, and a “dynamic” couples portrait.
This set up requires two flash units: One on camera, and one off camera. You will also need an assistant and a reflector.
1. Set your flashes to ETTL (Canon). ETTL will have the camera measure the available light in your scene and set the flashes accordingly.
2. Place your camera on Shutter Priority at 1/200s. This way your shutter speed will never exceed your flashes maximum speed.
3. Have your assistant take the secondary flash and hold it 8 feet from you, and 8 feet from your subjects. The angle of the flash will not be firing directly at your subjects. Rather, you will have your assistant fire the flash into the reflector. This will cause the light to spread and wrap around both your subjects.
4. Take the shot! As you can see from both examples below, the sidelight makes an incredible difference!
Using flash always takes practice, but this simple technique will add artistry to every couples portrait you take!
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
A Simple Lighting Technique for Couples Portraits
The Heralder 28 messenger bag by Vanguard – Review
The Vanguard designers thought of everything when they designed the Heralder Series. My first impression, when I took mine out of the box, was that it was probably the most padded bag I had ever used. Even the anti-slip shoulder strap is so padded and comfortable, you could almost use it as a head rest!
But that’s not all! The Heralder 28 (the smallest in the series) comes with a built-in tripod sling on the front and a rain cover that zips in its own back pocket when not in use. I don’t know about you, but I think those are two really useful features, especially the rain cover. My tripod is heavy duty and, although it technically fits on the Heralder 28 sling system, I would not attach it to such a small bag. I can see it fitting on the larger models if you are strong enough to carry that much weight. That said, I would definitely strap a travel tripod or even my Gorillapod to the Heralder 28.
A full rain cover is readily available from a special pouch behind the bag. Also, the large strap on the back allows for easy attachment to any rolling bag handle.
The tripod sling on the front of the bag is concealed when not in use.
This bag also has a removable padded pouch for your iPad (other any other tablet or small laptop up to 10 inches). The compartments can be adjusted or removed to fit your needs depending on the gear you want to put in the bag on any given day. The entire compartment also comes out in case you want to use your bag for other things. The Heralder also features a zippered quick top access so that you can grab your camera without opening the flap.
My Heralder 28 showed here with the 5dMarkII with 24-70mm attached, 70-200mm extra lens, a flash and an iPad. The camera can be positioned differently depending on the configuration you choose for the removable pads.
The Heralder 28 messenger bag also comes with a lot of useful pockets for personal items as well as mini compartments for memory cards. If you’re like me, when you carry heavy gear for long hours, nothing compares to the comfort of a backpack. Well, good news: This one can be converted into one with the optional ICS harness (sold separately). Please note that I haven’t used this harness because I also own a very comfortable camera backpack for long outings with heavy gear. That said, if I wanted the flexibility of a messenger bag with the comfort of a backpack all in one, I would definitely consider checking the harness option.
Some of you may say: “But it’s black and it looks like a camera bag!” True, it does. It would not be my first choice for a street photo walk if I don’t want anyone to know I have expensive equipment in my bag, but we don’t always need to hide the fact that we carry camera gear, do we? I’ve used it when out in adverse weather (because of its rain protection) and in addition to my rolling bag on commercial shoots (it features a system to attach it to the handle of my rolling bag). Basically, if you want a sturdy bag with lots of features and lots of padding to protect your precious gear, you may want to give this one some serious consideration.
Specifications for the Heralder 28: Inside Dimensions LxWxH: 25 x 16 x 20 cm (9 7/8″ x 6 1/4″ x 7 7/8″) Outside Dimensions: 34 x 26.5 x 27 cm (13 3/8″ x 10 3/8″ x 10 5/8″) Weight: 1,250 g (2.76 lbs)
Its list price is US $169 but it is currently 30% off on Amazon. Please note that the Heralder 28 by Vanguard is the smallest bag in the series. The same bag comes in two larger sizes: the Heralder 33 and Heralder 38.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
The Heralder 28 messenger bag by Vanguard – Review
Natural Light Portraits: Photography Challenge
To celebrate the launch of our brand new Natural Light eBook this week your photographic challenge is to take and share a portrait – lit only with natural light.
Image by Sebastiano Pitruzzello
Feel free to take any approach to this challenge that you want. You might like to shoot a portrait of a friend, a child, an older person or even a Self Portrait. You could shoot with your DSLR or a camera phone. You can shoot something in Black and White or Color. It might be a silhouette or backlit, a shot at a window or something out in midday sun.
It is completely up to you – as long as it is only lit with natural light you’re welcome to submit it.
Check out these window lit natural light images for a little inspiration.
Once you’ve selected the ‘Natural Light Portrait’ image that you’d like to share – upload it to your favourite photo sharing site or blog and either share a link to it or – embed them in the comments using the our new tool to do so.
If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites with Tagging tag them as #DPSNATURALPORTRAITto help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.
Also – don’t forget to check out some of the great shots posted in last weeks challenge – Posed challenge where there were some great shots submitted.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Natural Light Portraits: Photography Challenge
How to Use a 10-stop ND Filter to Take Long Exposure Sunset Images
The following tutorial was submitted in our forum by Chris Gin.
I used my B+W 10-stop the other day to do some long exposures at sunset and thought I’d write up the steps I took to get the shot.
Firstly for those of you who aren’t familiar with this type of filter, it’s basically a very strong neutral density (ND) filter which reduces the amount of light hitting the camera’s sensor by about 1000 times. ND filters are very common but they are typically only 3-stops in strength (reducing the amount of light by 8 times) so a 10-stop one is quite extreme.
The first thing I did was find a suitable composition as I would for any shot. I wanted to achieve the misty water look so I found some rocks with water washing over them and composed my shot. Note it’s vital to use a tripod with these shots due to the long exposures.
Once I had the shot composed the next step is to work out what exposure will be needed. At this point I usually take a test shot without the ND filter and then multiply the shutter speed by 1000. e.g. if using aperture priority, ISO 100, f/11, the shutter speed is 1/50, then the required shutter speed with filter would be 20 seconds (.02 * 1000).
In this case however I was a bit lazy and decided to just put the filter on and take some test shots to work out the exposure.
As it was nearly sunset, I also needed to use a graduated neutral density (GND) filter to balance the exposure between the sky and foreground. Positioning the GND filter when also using a 10-stop ND filter is difficult because it’s hard to see anything with the ND filter on. Luckily my Canon 7D’s LiveView allows me to ‘see through’ the ND filter so I used this when positioning the GND. My 40D didn’t allow me to do this so I had to position the GND filter on first, take it off the camera (while still in its holder), screw the ND filter on, and then put the GND filter back on. A bit time-consuming as you can imagine and so much easier using LiveView!
Here’s the first shot I took.
?
ISO 200, f/9, 30 seconds
Not bad, but a little underexposed (you can see the rocks are too dark). The settings I used were just based on experience from previous shots I’d taken using the filter. There’s also a bit of vignetting caused by stacking filters on a wide angle lens. Larger GND filters can avoid this but since I only have Cokin P-sized ones I decided to zoom in slightly (11mm vs 10mm) to minimize vignetting.
This is the final shot I took and the one I think I will keep:
ISO 400, f/9, 60 seconds
Since the sun was lower in the sky I needed an even longer exposure. I decided to use ISO 400 to keep the exposure down to 60 seconds. Sometimes noise can be a problem at higher ISOs but my 7D handles ISO400 just fine.
Note the only processing done on the above shots is converting from RAW to JPG and applying camera’s Landscape picture style. Other processing steps I would take include straightening of horizon, local exposure adjustments if needed, white balance, sharpening, noise reduction etc.
I hope you found this tutorial useful. You can view more of my photos on my website, on my Flickr page, or on Facebook.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
How to Use a 10-stop ND Filter to Take Long Exposure Sunset Images
Are You Practicing these 5 Natural Lighting Tips?
A Post by Mitchell Kanashkevich – author of our brand new eBook, Natural Light: Mastering a Photographer’s Most Powerful Tool.
Natural light is the most important and powerful tool available to photographers, and it is free to everybody in the world. Understanding how natural light works and how to work with it effectively is one of the key ways in which all of us can improve our photography without spending more money on fancy photographic equipment. In this blog post I’ve outlined five tips which I believe to be most vital to improving the way we work with natural light and in turn improving our photography.
Before getting to the tips I want to draw attention to one very important fact. We take photos to communicate visually. With our photographs we aim to tell stories or to convey a mood, an atmosphere—what it was like to be at a place or with a certain person. This fact is very important to keep in mind because it helps us put everything in perspective. It helps us realize that ultimately our use of natural light is nothing more and nothing less than one of the means to communicate visually.
1. Be Aware that Characteristics of Natural Light Change
The characteristics of natural light change due to the time of day, because of the weather and due to various other circumstances. You can essentially say that there are different kinds of light. The different kinds of light will make the same scene will look quite different, as you can see in the photographs above, which were taken during different times of day (left – twilight, middle – sunrise, right – middle of the day).
To the photographer this means that if a scene doesn’t look the way you’d like it to look at the time of day or in the weather you initially see it, you may have a chance to capture it looking entirely different at another time, in another kind of light.
2. Don’t Look at Natural Light in terms of “Good” or “Bad”
Many of us are virtually indoctrinated with the idea that light during the golden-hour is “good” or even the best kind of light to photograph in. The harsh light around midday is generally considered to be the worst kind of light. In reality, this way of looking at light can be very limiting creatively.
The golden-hour light makes everything look beautiful and magical because of its soft and golden tinting qualities. The image above is a great example of the golden-hour light beautifying a scene. But, what if we want to create an image which isn’t about the beauty of a place or a person? Golden-hour light might not be appropriate in such a situation.
The above image is a good example of when the harsh light around midday might be the preferred kind of light. With this photograph I primarily wanted to communicate what it’s like to be working in a harsh, sun-bleached environment. I wanted to say something about the hardship of manual labor. If the image were shot during the golden-hour, the scene may have been beautified and romanticized and the message may have very possibly been lost. In the harsh midday light, the hard shadows and the bleached colors helped me communicate exactly what I wanted to.
In conclusion my advice is to look at the different types of natural light as tools in a tool-set. None of the “tools” are good or bad, just right or wrong for what you’re trying to communicate.
3. Obsess with Observing Light
Observe light in your everyday life—how it interacts with everything around you, with particles of dust, water, observe how is changes when you move from place to place, how it casts shadows. Observe how the photographers you respect use light in their work. The aim is to educate yourself, to train your eyes to recognize different lighting scenarios and eventually to be able to predict when some of the more elusive lighting scenarios might occur.
The photograph above came to materialize because I had observed similar lighting scenarios before. I knew that narrow light sources and smoke can create dramatic looking light-beams, when the light illuminates the smoke at a certain angle. In this situation the sun was setting, hence it was illuminating the smoke at just the right angle for the “light-beam-effect.” I had a narrow light source, the doorway, which I was able to make even more narrow by asking my friend to block most of it, hence accentuating the effect.
4. Experiment and Photograph just for the Sake of seeing how Everything will Translate Through the Viewfinder
No matter how much you observe natural light or how many tips you read about it, to truly make the most of it photographically, you need to take photos.
Experimenting doesn’t necessarily lead to masterpieces, but it does help you understand how light works in a very practical sense. With digital cameras there is absolutely no reason to hold back frames. If you see an interesting lighting scenario and you’re wondering how it would look in an image—photograph it! That’s exactly what I did with the above frame. I saw that the scene was backlit, but at the same time light was coming from behind me. The first thought that entered my mind was “I wonder how this might turn out?” I experimented, made a few exposures and ended up with what I consider a strong image.
5. Expose with Post-Processing in Mind
No matter how good our cameras are, we will not be able to capture the entire tonal range created by some of the more challenging lighting situations, without the aid of post-processing software such as Adobe Lightroom.
To make the most of such situations it’s important to expose in a way where you give yourself a chance to capture maximum detail. This might mean under- or over-exposing certain elements in a scene. Let me explain using an example.
You can see in the first image above that the faces of the men are looking dark, they are under-exposed. This is the image that came straight from the camera and my decision to under-expose was very deliberate. Exposing properly for the faces would result in extremely over-exposed clouds. In this case I would likely be unable to bring out the detail in those over-exposed clouds and they would become large, white blotches. On the other hand I knew that I could brighten the faces of the men and bring out the necessary details in Lightroom with a simple tweak of the Fill Light/Shadows slider.
Exposing with post-processing in mind is a bit of a mental battle. You constantly have to ask yourself: Which element is more important to the image? What are the details which I can afford to lose and which are those which I can’t? Ultimately there might be situations where details cannot be preserved by under- or over-exposing and until the photographic technology gets better, that is just something we have to live with.
Some Final Words
As I already mentioned, no matter how much we read about photography, to become a better photographer—nothing beats actually making photos. The best way of improving and bettering your understanding of natural light is to keep the above mentioned tips in mind and to photograph as much as you can, in as many different lighting scenarios as possible.
Learn more about how to see and utilize Natural Light in your photography with Mitchell’s eBook Natural Light: Mastering a Photographer’s Most Powerful Tool (currently 25% off).
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Are You Practicing these 5 Natural Lighting Tips?
89 Awesome Photography Links and Photographs
Never one to spend too much time lounging, the Toad is always searching the internet for tutorials, great photography and interesting blogs to share with everyone. This week’s list contains a set of links to some truly incredible pieces of art posted by some truly talented artists. We really hope you enjoy seeing and reading these posts as much as the folks at Toad Hollow Photography did in bringing them to you.
The Toad is well into writing his second publication of eBooks intended to share some tips and insights into the world of HDR photography. These publications are made available for free to subscribers of his Free HDR Guides, Tips and News. If you haven’t signed up already, head on over and subscribe to get your free copy of his first edition “The f-stops Here”.
TUTORIALS
Studio Photography Insights: shooting fabric, clothing and shoes – Alex Koloskov takes us behind the scenes on a video comprised of input from various top notch photographers. This video is fairly long and will hopefully present some great insights and details into this genre of photography for anyone interested.
Photographing Animals at the Zoo – Photography Tips – this is a well thought-out post with some great tips for this style of photography. You will find some pointers and inside tips here that are sure to help with achieving the results you want.
GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY
Documenting Madness: Lauren E. Simonutti – this special post is so incredible, we find it difficult to find words to describe its importance. This dramatic and captivating series of images was captured by an artist as they struggled with their illness. The results are a profound and poignant collection of engaging and mesmerizing photographs that give the viewer a glimpse into the inner workings of the creator. Prepare yourself for a heartbreaking story, but it’s also an important one that needs to be shared and seen.
Stone Mill Revisited – Bob Lussier once again shows us why he is the “stair whisperer” in this incredible photograph. Bob captures and shares an image complete with great geometry and lines as created by the architecture of this old mill.
Fort Tryon Arches and George Washington Bridge – we’ve got all the best elements in this picture by Mark Garbowski. The arches deliver great textures and details to enjoy, and as you spend time viewing the image further elements of interest begin to emerge.
Hot Frosty Buzz – beautiful flowers take the viewers eye down and through a valley, coming back up to a tall and snow-covered mountain range. All these wonderful details are accented by a mysterious fog shrouding the valley and a full moon hanging in the sky.
Adrenalin foot – this is absolutely mesmerizing and absolutely creepy, both at the same time. This highly detailed macro shot of a fly drinking from a drop of water is captured and shared by Ondrej Pakan.
Sunrise Silhouette – there are a lot of great elements working together in this image by Jerry Denham. A fog covers a lake as the sunrises, with a very dramatic pair of trees producing a really wonderful silhouette to enjoy.
Calming Charm – exquisite brickwork is explored by Rachel Cohen in this great photograph. There is so much to enjoy in this shot, including a wonderful old wooden door, a bell in the courtyard and a gorgeous blooming tree adding color.
The Mystery Church – Adam Allegro shares a short series of great black-and-white photos of a church in Sweden. Adam doesn’t remember where these were captured, but we sure are glad he took these images to share.
Wayside 905 – all the romance and mystery of classic trains is captured in this great shot by John Sotiriou. Great tones as expressed in post-processing really bring this scene to life for everyone to view and enjoy.
Weekend Relaxer #16 – if you like Stormtroopers and beer, you will love this post by Chris Nitz. He continues his regular feature with another installment of a great photograph of a beer label, accompanied by a really awesome review of the beer itself. Tough job, but someone has to do it.
Violet Green Swallow – perfect depth of focus coupled with a wonderful and eager subject combine in this great shot by Jay Taylor. This beautiful bird is wonderfully captured, producing a piece that is sure to delight and amaze everyone.
A1 Auto Service, Toronto – we find a candid street photograph from Ren Bostelaar in this post. Ren has a great ability to capture natural looking images, full of great tension and drama. This is really a good example of this, well worth the time to visit.
A Vibrant Flower – gorgeous colors await the viewer in this detailed macro shot of a beautiful red flower. Helene Kobelnyk shares a really wonderful image of this flower, producing a piece that is sure to be enjoyed by all who visit.
Moon – Andy Gimino shares a slightly abstract piece captured at Old Mill Park. The rocks have been smoothed by countless years of gentle friction by running water, producing a scene that Andy finds and shares with us.
The Clear Path – a fabulous selective focus technique is applied during post-processing by Eden R. Ellis to create a really compelling image. A pathway in the forest creates a perfect natural leading line for this picture.
Lavoir à Charbon A – Pincer Action – this is an incredibly grungy, dramatic and texture-rich scene as photographed and shared by Mark Blundell. The poor condition of the facility is full featured in this epic photograph, delivering an image that is sure to be enjoyed by all who pop by for a visit.
Brick and Stone at Fort Macon – great textures in the old brickwork are accented by a wonderful shadow in the back hall adding drama and tension to the scene. Mark Neal delivers 2 version of the same image, each post-processed slightly differently, creating a post that is really quite captivating.
Looking Down at The Fort – this is a follow-up post by Mark Neal. In this image, we see a top down look of the fort which in turn creates the most incredible natural leading lines to guide the viewer’s eye through the frame.
Down – what an incredible sense of motion. Jonas Nefzger creates an image taken on a moving skateboard that creates such a strong sensation of speed, it’s sure to take your breath away.
A Fun Campout! – we get to join John Mead on a camping trip in this post as he explores the great outdoors and comes back with some awesome photographs. John is a science teacher and really does a great job of sharing his perspective of the world with a larger audience.
Urbex Palace – NON PLUS ULTRA – the most incredible details are captured and shared in this epic image by Mark Blundell. An abandoned palace with exquisite detailing is the source of this breathtaking image; truly this is a must-see shot in this week’s list.
Pere Marquette 1225 – a glorious piece of history is explored in this post by Scott Hovind. Old steam trains make for the best subjects in photography, and Scott really takes us on an in-depth exploration of this storied steam train.
How much wood would a wood chopper chop? – this is just such a neat image. Chris Maskell takes a photo of a pile of wood, and then uses specialized treatments in the post-processing phase to bring the scene to life.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church – a commanding church built with limestone is the subject in this series of images by Scott Hovind. Really incredible details and textures are explored in this study, delivering a post that is really a must-see in this week’s list.
Country Church – Jimi Jones takes a photograph of an old church as night begins to fall. The great colors and architectural details are all exposed for everyone to enjoy, and these are accented by the strength of the sky overshadowing the scene below.
Blackberry Falls Revisited – a beautiful waterfall is captured and shared in this post by Len Saltiel. We majesty of this waterfall is captured by Len, bringing all the drama out of the scene for his visitors to enjoy.
To Grandmother’s House I Went – one of our alltime favorite photography subjects is old character homes. The details in the architecture in the houses built during this time are truly second-to-none, and Blake Rudis does an absolutely wonderful job of capturing a pair of these beauties to share with everyone.
The Old Model A – this is a stunning photograph by Tim Stanley. This wonderful old historic vehicle has been meticulously restored, and Tim takes a shot of it against a timeless backdrop, producing a piece that is guaranteed to delight and amaze everyone.
Sunday Reflections & Lessons Learned – a delicately processed image delivers a really strong reflective scene in this photograph by Edith Levy. Edith uses a really great texture overlay to create the vision she wants to share, producing a wonderful image well worth the time to visit.
Three Male Wood Ducks, Minnesota – Mark Paulson grabs an image of 3 ducks that is so crisp and sharp, you might mistake it at first for a painting. Mark captures the character of the ducks in this really wonderful composition.
Carpet Flowers – an accident by Aaron Barlow in the field delivers a most beautiful image to view and enjoy. It just goes to show that even the most innocuous accidents can bring the most incredible results.
Watcher – if you’re looking for superb tension and drama, look no further. Mark Garbowski captures and shares an image taken in a great urbex location, with his fellow photographer adding a touch of real interest to the overall scene captured.
frontier – in what appears to be a landscape from an entirely different planet, a man stands against a lone telephone booth. David Mar Quinto shares a highly emotionally charged piece, one that is sure to take your breath away.
Chicago at 4am – a crisp and highly detailed city skyline awaits the viewer in this great shot from CJ Schmit. This is definitely one of those shots that gives more to the viewer as they spend time taking in all the lovely details. Great colors and lights merge with the composition to create a compelling and unique piece.
Eastern Woodpeckers – Troy Stewart delivers another wonderful set of images of birds in the wild. This post focuses on the woodpeckers of the area, and Troy captures and creates a series sure to be enjoyed by all who visit.
New York International Auto Show: My favorite shots – Jason Knight takes us on a tour of the NY auto show. These gorgeous cars are all carefully captured and shared in this post by Jason, creating a piece that is really something that most car fans will absolutely love.
Death Ship – this dreamy and dark piece straight from the studio of Omur omur creates a scene so dramatic it’s sure to take your breath away. The long exposure technique gives the water an almost silky feel to it and the lone boat lying half sunk brings all the drama to life.
The Eye – really vibrant colors and subtle details are captured in this great flower photograph by Rachel Cohen. She uses an abstract vision to create this special piece, a shot that will delight all who visit.
Little House on the Prairie – a very dramatic and profound image awaits the viewer in this photograph straight from the studio of Hansrico Photography. The wonderful composition used to create this image really brings all the inherent drama in the scene to life.
Linden United Methodist Church – what a beautiful old church masterfully captured and shared here by Michael Lewis Glover. The surroundings that Michael has included in his composition here brings a lot of interest and context to the image, one that is truly well worth the time to visit.
Rugged – a majestic and commanding mountain scene is presented here by Len Saltiel for all to enjoy. The wonderful reflection in the lake in the foreground serves to add so much further interest to this already jaw-droppingly beautiful scene.
The Flower Way – if you love beautiful flowers, you will love this post. Our own local photographer Ehpem takes us on a brief journey to admire the inherent beauty in some of our local flowers.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge – Steve Creek takes us on a wonderful photographic journed to a wildlife refuge. Steve captures a set of great images of the landscapes in this rugged and beautiful place, as well as a couple of shots of bison doing what they do best…
Stasis – Andy Gimino creates a complex image in post-processing that delivers a great landscape shot of a gorgeous waterfall as spring sets in. Andy captures some fabulous colors and details in the creation of this must-see shot in this week’s list.
Dolphin @ sea – a really fabulous candid shot of a pair of Dolphins playing it appears. Basem Habib gives us an insight into the spirit and character of this incredible animal in this wonderful photograph.
Reprocessing An Old Favorite: “Full Glory” – this image is gorgeous and will make you instantly happy, guaranteed. Eden R. Ellis shares an original version as well as a re-processed version of the same image with its subtle variations.
Everything Passes – there’s something distinctly emotional and captivating in this great image from Mark Garbowski. I love the look and feel of classic NY architecture, and this shot delivers the goods on several levels.
My Girl – what a wonderful set of portraits as shared by Chris Frailey. His daughter presents the perfect beautiful subject for Chris and his camera, and he in turn delivers a set of images sure to delight and amaze everyone who pops by.
Sunset at Nyhavn – Jim Nix captures a stunning image perfectly composed of a canal in Denmark. The beautiful colors of the surrounding buildings and the exquisite wood found in the boats converge with a breathtaking reflection in the water.
Keep This Door Closed – I don’t even know where to start here! We’ve got incredible textures and interesting elements at play in this really awesome photo by Rob Nopola. The graffiti punctuates a scene with really captivating elements to it; a piece that is sure to be enjoyed by all who view.
Traffic snakes along reopened mountain pass in Kashmir – a really epic set of images taken of this mountain pass that has just reopened. This photo expose takes the reader right to the site, sharing a really unique view of this part of the world.
Sweet Spot – Steve Beal takes us to NYC in this top drawer cityscape image. Steve manages to capture so many intricate details in this photograph, the viewer finds themselves immersed in the scene constantly discovering something of interest.
The Rock – a most perfect composition awaits the viewer in this moody and dramatic natural piece from the studio of Mike Olbinski. Mike delivers an emotionally charged image here, accented by a really great reflection.
Spicket River – Bob Lussier shares an image sharing a totally unique vantage-point. The Spicket River has a section of a waterfall, and Bob is there and ready to capture and share this dramatic photograph.
A Quiet Place – a lovely little B&B presents the most wonderful photographic subject for Perry Bailey to snap an almost iconic image full of American character. The fabulous light posts in the foreground really bring the scene to life, a true must-see image in this week’s list.
Reappearance of Method – a stark but compelling piece by Gareth Glynn Ash is presented in this post. The snow covering the landscape combines with the sharp elements found in the bare trees in this shot.
Salford Quays, Manchester – Dave O’Keefe delivers a most dramatic and moody study of architecture that comes complete with a great reflective element. Dave’s perfect composition brings all the character from the scene out for everyone to enjoy.
S i l e n t . m o r n i n g – romance and mystery are all to be found in this awesome photograph by Pedro Terrinha. A gentle fog drapes the scene and is accented by the most perfect natural leading line as created by a meandering pathway.
Backroad Storm – a great shot taken at a very low perspective serves to punctuate the incredible vanishing point in this photograph by Scott Ackerman. The viewers eye naturally comes to settle upon a brooding, cloudy sky, giving a strong sense of wonder and drama.
Old Lighthouse Museum, Stonington, Connecticut – this is a wonderful image from Mark Summerfield. This old historic lighthouse is perfectly captured on 35mm film, and Mark has scanned and processed the image with a great texture, creating an image with a very old and historic feel to it.
Mean & Green – you know how much we love hotrods here at The Hollow, and when you have an example with a Roots style blower on it, you’ve got pure heaven. Bob Byington does a perfect job in capturing and delivering all the inherent character in this classic coupe, creating a piece that is truly a must-see in this week’s list.
911 GT3 RS – if you’re into cars, you just won the lottery and the first prize is a great image by Hansrico Photography!! This truly epic supercar is perfectly captured here, with the end result being a photograph that is truly mesmerizing.
Waikiki revisited – I love this image by Kathleen and Erik Kerstenbeck. This beautiful sunset has all the best Hawaii elements in it, including a plethora of palm trees and a beautiful sun making its way below the horizon.
Vivid Dreamscape – this is a truly wonderful photograph accompanied by compelling and inspiring words. Adam Allegro captures a shot with a pier that creates a fabulous vanishing point. Guaranteed to delight and amaze all who pop by for a visit.
As far as the eye can see – I can fly! This is one of those epic NYC shots that captures your imagination and keeps you entranced as you move around the frame taking all sorts of incredible details in. Dave DiCello shares a picture that is without any doubt one of our must-see images in this week’s list.
Belly Of The Beast – gauges, dials, knobs, details and textures oh my! This highly dramatic image by John Sotiriou shares a great vantage of classic mechanics at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore, Maryland.
“How do you get from Point A to B?” Slowly! – a great theme based set by Howard really shares a great experience in both the sharing of a great photowalk as well as some really great images. Personally, the second shot with the train coming right at you is my favorite, how about you?
53 Chevy – great lines, colors and reflective chrome are perfectly composed in this truly wonderful photograph of this classic car. Bob Byington shares another image from his automotive collection that is absolutely wonderful.
Victoria Harbour Ferry – taken right in our own hometown, this wonderful shot of our character filled harbour ferry is a real joy to view! Local photographer tugs5750 captures and shares a shot well worth the time to pop by and view.
On The Way To Lunch: Eastern-Kyoto Stroll – Jeffrey Friedl takes us on a journey through parts of this Japanese city, delivering a series that is absolutely wonderful to view. Jeffrey’s candid street shots are second-to-none, full of great emotion and interest.
Ethereal Portraits Taken Underwater – three really mesmerizing photos of a girl taken underwater await the viewer here. There is a dreamy feel to these dramatic black-and-white shots, a series that is sure to delight all who visit.
INTERESTING BLOGS
Long Term Solution – Blake Rudis delivers another one of his HDR Concerts whereby a group of HDR photographers all share the same brackets and share their personal vision of the end result. This week’s concert includes a submission from Yours Truly, The Toad, and we are honored and delighted to be part of it all.
Projector Room – HDR Collaboration – when these amazingly talented artists get together to work on one of their collaborations, great results always ensue. The image worked on by the group is of a long abandoned projector room in a theatre. That’s all we’re going to say on this, we’ll let the images do the rest of the talking.
Photo Restoration – a really interesting post that shows an original photograph that is very well worn, and after a restoration process we also get to see the finished results.
He always had to do things differently – Terry Border delivers another installment in his series of highly creative pieces. This is sure to delight everyone and bring a smile to your face.
Shorebird Migration 2010 – Steve Beal creates a really interesting video of birds in migration that is a real joy to watch. Steve does a great job using a lens with an extremely long reach to bring all the inherent interest in the scene to your computer monitor for you to enjoy.
25 of the World’s Coolest Concept Cars – a post of an entirely different variety, in this feature we get to see some really interesting concept cars. Whether you like them or not, I am sure that taking this post in will at least create a great discussion point.
Bohemian Dreams in Digital Art – this is a really astonishing set of images as produced by the talented Alexander Jansson. A certain feel is expressed in his work that is really a joy to view, well worth the time to visit.
Perfect Photo Suite 6: Review of Perfect Layers & Perfect Mask – this post delivers a quick review of these two photo processing applications. Dakota Visions Photography does a great job reviewing and describing these applications in a short review.
Shoot & Share – Getting Your Photographs Out Into The World – A New Craft & Vision eBook – Edith Levy shares a brief but concise review of this new publication. It looks to present great value for the money.
All The Wild Horses – a breathtaking series of images of horses is presented to the viewer in this post. Each of the images shares a view of this graceful animal with many of them highlighting the amazing muscles and wonderful colors that they exhibit.
Getting the Picture, Developing the Image – a profound bit of writing is shared here by LensScaper (Andy Hooker). Andy delves into the “why” of photography leading us on a private yet familiar journey as an artist in the field. This is a wonderful article, so very worth the time to visit and read.
Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra Performs for Animal Hospital
Recently the Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra performed at the Wilbraham Animal Hospital hoping to raise money for the hospital.
Recently the Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra performed at the Wilbraham Animal Hospital hoping to raise money for the hospital.
The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra was asked to perform in the fundraising event that took place Sunday evening. The event organizers created the event to raise money to purchase animal surgery tools and better technological equipment.
“The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra provides great music and entertainment. We are really fortunate that the Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra was able to perform at our fundraising event,” said Gale Gallagher, event organizer.
The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra was very enthusiastic about participating in the “special event.”
“The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra is all about helping the community and becoming a part of it, in any way we can,” said Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra founder, Joe Lewis.
The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra consists of seven musicians: Billy May, vocals; Lesile
Shapiro, saxophone; Tom Rodger, Drums; Mia Lowel; bass; Erin Good, guitar; Sam Gleen, piano; and Robert May, banjo.
More About Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra
The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra consists of Billy May, vocals; Lesile Shapiro, saxophone; Tom Rodger, Drums; Mia Lowel; bass; Erin Good, guitar; Sam Gleen, piano; and Robert May, banjo. The Lane Weinberg Wilbraham Orchestra, which was founded by Joe Lewis in 1999, plays classic rock-and-roll and current mainstream songs.
