Photoscout

• Using Flash

  Utilizing the power of the flash in photography could help the budding artist in you get the most out of your pictures. But caution not to abuse the flash since this may backfire and work against you.

  Flash is most helpful in taking action shots, freezing that single instant without blurring the subject and the details. Flash also makes sure that pictures would not get blurred if the film has low ISO or grainy if shooting in low light.

  Flash can also be utilized in very bright light, for example during midday when the sun is high up. Although there is almost no shadow, details get blotted out especially when an object obstructs the light coming directly from above. I was advised in my photography class to use a flash even in broad delight since the facial shadows would block the features of the rest of the face.

  All cameras have built-in flash already, but professionals still prefer to use external flash or accessory flash units. This way, they can control which shots need flash and how intense or direct the flash should be.

  The drawbacks of using flash though is that sometimes it creates an unnatural intensity of light to the image. One way of alleviating this is make sure that the subject is at a considerable distance. If your camera has flash settings, adjust them accordingly.

  Another problem with flash is red eye. Newer camera models though have preflashes or that lingering red light before the actual flash to prevent most instances of red eye.

  Posted in Photography Tips

  April 22nd, 2008 / No Comments

• The Importance of Framing

  One of the basic principles in basic photography is framing. Simply put, it is the idea of filling up the whole frame with your subject. Getting closer shots means you get to see more details of your subject, thus capturing more features of the subject and more emotion if it is a picture of a person.

  This is one of the simplest photo techniques yet, it is also one of the hardest to master. For beginners, it is important to know the nuances of your camera so that you will know how it works plus you will get used to carrying it, adjusting your style and technique to whatever works for you. This entails a lot of practice.

  The problem usually arises when the photographer commits the mistake of thinking he is already near enough to his subject. Sure, in your mind’s eye, you view your shot as perfect, and that is what you think you see in your viewfinder only to find out after taking the shot that you find your subject farther away than you originally thought it to be.

  A simple way to prevent that is to move closer. A few steps forward would do. If you think you are close enough, look at the viewfinder and see if there is still detail that you can eliminate. If in doubt, take a few more steps closer.

  A more expensive way of fixing that problem is to use a telephoto lens. This is usually helpful in faraway shots like sports or celebrity events. Getting used to utilizing lens also needs some practice, so take as many shots as you can.

  Things are made easier with today’s digital cameras since you can immediately see if the picture comes out right and you could re-do as many shots until you are satisfied. Back then using old point and click cameras, some head space is considered since photo shops usually tend to cut off prints. Since everything is digitized now, it is now you doing the cropping using the photo editor in your own PC.

  Posted in Photography Tips

  April 15th, 2008 / No Comments

• Depth of Field

  Depth of field is defined as the range in a scene, from near to far, that is in sharp focus. Depth of field provides depth, among other things, to your picture, thus giving it life, not like a flat two-dimensional photograph.

  Technically, depth of field is achieved when there are subjects in various distance in relation to the lens. You then adjust the focus by manipulating the aperture. A smaller aperture creates more depth of field, a larger aperture produces the opposite effect. Depth of field is dependent on lens focal length, aperture, and distance from the subject.

  With all things equal, shorter focal length lenses, smaller apertures, and greater lens-to-subject distance increase the range of sharp focus. Longer lenses, wider apertures, and a shorter distance to the subject, meanwhile, decreases depth of field.

  The ability to control how much is in focus effects your shots immensely. Shooting a landscape entails as much focus as possible, so a high depth of field is needed. In the opposite end, taking a portrait requires a shallower area of sharp focus, isolating the subject from the background.

  Although this is taught in basic photography, depth of field intimidates beginners because it is hard to pull off. There is a caveat with camera viewfinders. In point-and-click cameras, you are not viewing directly through the lens. Instead, you are looking through a separate viewfinder. In SLRs, on the other hand, you are looking through the lens at its widest aperture. It closes to a smaller f/stop only at the instant you press the shutter button.

  SLRs have a feature called a depth of field preview button. When you press it, the lens will briefly close to the shooting aperture, showing you the real depth of field. Take note that when you press this button, the image in the viewfinder will temporarily darken. If too much is in focus, simply open the aperture, put on a longer lens, or move closer. Or do all three.

  Posted in Photography Techniques

  April 10th, 2008 / No Comments

• Photos and Paranormal Sightings

  You have seen it everywhere, from special episodes on weird tv or inspiration for the next Hollywood sci-fi flick. Either that or you know someone who claims to have either seen them firsthand or has actual physical evidence they took from their camera. Whatever the case maybe, there is so much paranormal going around you would think you are the last person on earth who has not experienced anything unusual in your lifetime… yet.

  Still, photos and odd sightings are common entertainment fodder either on Halloween or in dry times on primetime. Since not everybody has a video camera on hand, unlike those unfortunate kids in the contrived “Blair Witch Project”, the next best thing is to have a photo camera on hand to capture that fleeting moment of mystery.

  Why this topic for this blog? Besides the fact that it is about photography, there is always that doubt at the back of the head if the image is indeed legit or is just a creation of some imaginative mind. And to involve a technical aspect, why are most shots taken that involved weird phenomena are blurred and grainy?

  There was this one show, the title escapes at the moment, where the hosts try to recreate a supposed sighting captured on film using common materials, some visual effects, and cunning optical illusions. This way, the program gets to demonstrate which pictures are most likely legit shots of the unusual and which are pranks made to fool people.

  Technically though, there could be a lot of factors involved that made outputs scratchy. For one, think of the technology back then. Sure there was no Photoshop, but pictures were not A-grade either. Another thing to consider is the distance of the subject from the camera. The farther it is from the camera, the less distinct details could be seen. Then there is the subject of focus and camera shake or motion blurring. You are taking a picture of what you thought was Bigfoot from 50 feet away. You tense up as you fumble your way in clicking the shutter, excited at the idea that you have just captured an oddity.

  Eager to see what you got, what comes out is a mere figment of how you intended the shot to be. You may not have provided an answer to a mystery of life, you might have added one more. But it sure is good conversation piece at the dinner table and a surreal tale for the grandkids later on.

  Posted in Outdoor Photography

  April 2nd, 2008 / No Comments