The last year has been a particularly difficult one for Photographers. Between travel restrictions, rising gas prices, and the sense of despair we’ve experienced as a result of Covid, it has been extremely difficult to get motivated to get out and use our cameras.
While we in Canada have been relatively fortunate in our ability to travel, safety regulations have made simple things much more difficult.
As a Landscape Photographer, I have had an easier time than those who photograph weddings and/or portraits. Product Photographers can work in a bit more isolation but still must confer with clients.
But even as a Landscaper Photographer, I have been noticing an impact on the way I do things. When I’m out and about, I try to avoid places where I know people congregate; which are generally places where the views are the best for capturing images. Simple things like stopping for a coffee on the way becomes a problem. Buying new or used camera gear is frightening since both involve meeting with strangers in sometimes confined spaces.
Terrible weather doesn’t help much either. It’s either too stormy, too windy, too bright, or too grey. So, needless to say, the opportunities to capture great Photos have been drastically reduced if not gone completely.
Or have they?
If the weather is acceptable, is there someplace close to home where you can take Photos while avoiding people? Perhaps a local Park during meal time when everyone has gone home? A picturesque shoreline that few others are aware of? Perhaps you can stay within the boundaries of your property and get some shots.
Do you have pets? Dogs in particular seem to understand the concept of “posing”… particularly if treats are offered as a reward. Many years ago, I had a 30 gallon and 15 gallon Aquarium on a wrought iron stand. Both had lights in the canopies and at night, with all the other lights in the house turned out, they made beautiful images; especially with the brightly coloured fishes swimming about.
Experiment with long exposures and low lighting. A model ship or a glass of wine lit by a single candle makes for a moody image. I put a candle in a blue container on the end of our Piano keyboard and opened the shutter for five minutes. The result was an Image I call “Blue Piano – A Reflection in Blues.” This image is a nice blend of Realism and Abstract, but Abstract without Realism can be interesting as well. Use your imagination and look at things differently. Remember, when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change! Try shooting a common household item from a more unusual angle. You might make strings on a Guitar look like the cables of a suspension bridge!
Have you tried ICM? (Intentional Camera Movement) It takes a long time to master the right amount of movement to bring the results you are looking for.
Being unable to get far from home is a perfect opportunity to play “What If” with your camera. Play around with the settings to see how the results differ from frame to frame. Shoot the same object with both Landscape and Portrait orientation (Not to be confused with Landscapes and Portraits) or use different Aspect Ratios. I’ll be doing a video on the topic of Aspect Ratio in the Spring or early Summer. Try using Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual settings using various Apertures, Shutter Speeds and ISO settings. Upload your images to your computer and compare the results.
Being locked down is not punishment nor a loss of freedoms; it is an opportunity to use your time to learn more about your Camera, its settings, your Editing software, and to upgrade your skills in all of these areas. In this Digital age, there are no wasted shots. You don’t have to pay to have the film roll developed only to find out you moved your camera at a crucial moment and got a really blurry image of a … What IS that anyway…?
Thanks for dropping by and reading. As always, I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Until next week, keep your shutter finger warm and always remember to pack extra batteries.
