Basic Tips for Beginning Nature Photographers

Photographing Fall's sunshine

Most likely you have seen a photograph of nature in all of its raw beauty and had your breath taken away. And then you probably wondered how the photographer possibly could have achieved such a perfect shot. You may not be able to shoot like the pros right away if you are just starting out in the field of nature photography, but you can usually go out with only a rudimentary understanding of how to work a camera and come away with something extremely affecting. That is especially true when you are dealing with an area like Costa Rica full of such scenic wonder.

Photography is a hobby that allows you to go as deep into it as you want to go. You can really study the craft and learn all of the intricacies of what makes a great photo. Or you can head into the great outdoors with a little bit of equipment and see what transpires. If that latter description fits what you are seeking from your nature photography experience, you can still use some simple tips to help you out and ensure that you have a great time while searching for the shot of a lifetime.

Wildlife's photographer

If you are interested in taking some shots of nature and wildlife from a remote location, you should check out a reviews site that can tell you how to choose the best trail camera. Here are some easy tips for when you are looking to capture a moment in nature with a photograph.

Double-check your equipment

It would be extremely frustrating to get in position for the perfect nature shot only to find that you do not have everything you need with you. Beyond making sure that your camera equipment is all in order and in place, you should also check that you have some other necessities for your journey into nature. That means the right clothing for whatever weather you will be enduring, comfortable footwear to get you where you need to go, and a bag that is sturdy enough to carry all your gear and yet structured so that it is easy for you to tote.

Respect your models

Camera lens

If you are heading into a specific area with the goal of capturing some wildlife photos, you should always remember that you are a guest in their homes. No shot is worth purposely disturbing the animal inhabitants of the land. On top of that, if you are loud and intrusive, the subjects you are hoping to shoot will likely stay far out of your camera range or, in a worst-case situation, become belligerent. By contrast, if you treat the wildlife with respect, they are more likely to cooperate for your intended picture.

Dawn in nature

Patience pays well

You cannot expect a perfect shot to be sitting there waiting for you the moment you get to your destination. It may take some time for the light to sit just the right way, or the perfect cloud to pass by in the background or for that brightly-colored bird to land on the treetop you have been watching. In any case, the best shots come to those who wait for them.

You will enjoy your beginning nature photography experience much better if you heed this general advice. Then you can point, click, and see what develops.

Source: Basic Tips for Beginning Nature Photographers

G3 StrapShot makes great gift for hiking photographers

You're hiking or skiing in early morning light through a wilderness area, when suddenly you spy an Osprey lifting from a lake with a fish in its beak, or a bushy-tailed fox breaking cover to dash across a field, or a human figure poised high atop a needle peak with arms raised in exultation.

Great shot, you think. But by the time you shrug off your pack and find your camera with its powerful zoom, the fish has been eaten, the fox has vanished and the peak climber is stretched out for a well-earned rest.

You don't have to miss those great shots if your camera is always at hand on the trail, and Cotton Camera Systems has developed a safe and ergonomic way to do just that.

The company's new G3 StrapShot Holster is a slim and compact camera carrying system that fastens securely to the straps on a backpack (and other items, including courier bags and waist belts).

Your camera stays safe in the StrapShot's patented twist-and-lock mount, and it doesn't annoyingly swing around or move — but it's always available for instant use via the StrapShot's quick release safety tether.

The G3 StrapShot Holster comes in Grey and Camo. The product costs $79.

Visit cottoncarrier.com for more information.

In Sonoma County, Cotton Carrier products can be found at Shutterbug Camera Shop in Santa Rosa.

View a video of the G3 StrapShot in action at: tinyurl.com/y8h96gkr.

Source: G3 StrapShot makes great gift for hiking photographers

Wedding Photographers: Ditch Your Gear, the iPhone is Here

Like any other genre of photography, there are everyday frustrations that one must overcome. For wedding photographers, this is no different. Between Uncle Bobs with their constant ability to somehow always be in the frame or bride or mom-zillas who get amped up over the most minuscule of details, it can make for a long stressful day. Toronto-based Wedding Photographer Barb Simkova, working for Tara McMullen Photography, recently gave herself an additional wedding day challenge: photograph the wedding with nothing more than an iPhone 8 Plus, and the pictures speak for themselves.

Camera sensors and optics on mobile devices have come along way in the past few years. With the recent release of Apple's iPhone 8 Plus and the new shooting modes, like portrait, it's getting easier and easier to take exceptional images that many cannot distinguish whether or not it was made utilizing a DSLR or the phone in their back pocket. This has certainly challenged my preconceived notions of images taken with cell phones. I transitioned from a Nikon full-frame kit to mirrorless with the announcement of the Fuji X-T1 several years ago with many colleagues shaking their heads saying the quality would suffer and I'd regret the move. I can count on one hand the number of times I have said "if only I had my Nikon D800"; it has been once. I needed a true 1:1 macro lens, and the Nikon 105mm was a workhorse of mine, but with the latest release of the Fujifilm XF 80mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR Macro lens, I'm set. But I digress. The point I'm trying to make is maybe we shoul d be open to more change, challenging our talents and embracing new technology like Simkova did, we may surprise ourselves in the process.

We all know that person who drags their iPad everywhere and they swear it takes the best photos. Heck, maybe their on to something. While I don't foresee a day in where I'll be breaking out my iPad Pro to snap a wedding photo, I can perceive utilizing my iPhone for photos during the big day. If it gets the job done, why not? Maybe one day in the not so distant future I can downsize again, this time leaving my XT-2 and GFX50s in the bag while my iPhone does all the work.

Does anyone in our Fstoppers community utilize mobile devices to capture parts of big events? We would love to see your comments below.

Check out more of Tara McMullen's work on her website.

Images used with permission of Tara McMullen Photography.

[via Wedding Bells]

Source: Wedding Photographers: Ditch Your Gear, the iPhone is Here

Mob of Photographers Attacks Videographers at Workshop: Lindsay Adler Wields a Lightsaber

For as long as I can remember, there has been a tension between photographers and videographers at events. Why, why I say, can't we all just get along? Watch as an angry mob of photographers go to war against a small group of brave videographers in an epic battle for the ages. The grossly outnumbered videographers face off against the likes of Sal Cincotta, Lindsay Adler, Chuck Arlund, and more during a workshop in Tucson, Arizona.

It all starts with instructions on how to block a videographer from getting their shot and why you should kick someone's ass on the first day or risk becoming someone's bitch, and escalates into a hilarious battle scene set against a beautiful Arizona sky complete with a lightsaber finale.

This video is why I enjoy this industry so much. It's not just that we get to earn a living from doing something we thoroughly enjoy, but the comradery that is found all over the place. It's at workshops like this, local meetup groups organized on Facebook, or your local gear shop; all amongst fellow 'ographers who are essentially your competition. It's a rarity. 

And if you don't find this video at least chuckle-worthy, we can't be friends.

Source: Mob of Photographers Attacks Videographers at Workshop: Lindsay Adler Wields a Lightsaber

Terrorist hid between journalists, photographers - then attacked

Police release photographic proof that terrorist who stabbed policeman exploited presence of journalists to commit terror attack.

Contact Editor

Arutz Sheva Staff, 17/12/17 21:24

The terrorist surrounded by journalists

Police spokesperson

Israeli police released photographs Sunday proving that the terrorist who stabbed an Israeli Border Police officer near Ramallah on Friday hid among a group of photographers and journalists who were covering an Arab riot before carrying out the attack.

The officer suffered moderate injuries when the terrorist stabbed him in the shoulder. Other officers shot and neutralized the terrorist. The officer was treated at the scene before being transferred to Shaarei Tzedek Hospital in Jerusalem

The investigation into the attack revealed that the terrorist had hid among the journalists for about a half-hour prior to the attack, exploiting the media presence to get close to the officers and attack them.

The police released a statement: "We have seen in recent days the cynical and destructive exploitation of the presence of journalists and and emergency teams in an attempt to harm the soldiers and police operating in complex arenas. We emphasize that this type of incident does not change the police policy that will continue to allow coverage of events to the fullest extent possible. However, we view any attempt to abuse this policy with the utmost seriousness."

Source: Terrorist hid between journalists, photographers - then attacked

Photographers Didn’t Kill Diana! New Evidence Revealed On The Princess’ Fatal Crash

New evidence from Detective Colin McLaren reveals that the much-hated photographers chasing Princess Diana on the day of her death, could not have caused the crash that killed her.

On 31 August 1997, news of Diana's deadly Paris tunnel collision devastated the nation, and the world. Now, REELZ seeks to uncover the truth, with their groundbreaking Diana's Death Mystery Solved episode airing this Friday.

In the teaser, McLaren looks into the evidence collected from the alleged accident, hoping to find clues as to who instigated the brutal crash.

"Certainly the paparazzi were intrusive. There's no doubt they were annoying – and Diana was used to that. But what turned these pesky photographers into raging wolves?" says McLaren in shocking clip.

Is the mysterious white car to blame for the untimely death of the beloved monarch?

Diana's Death Mystery Solved airs Friday Dec 15 at 8 ET/PT on REELZ.

Source: Photographers Didn't Kill Diana! New Evidence Revealed On The Princess' Fatal Crash

Photographers shoot free holiday portraits for North Bay fire victims

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - Fire survivors in the North Bay are receiving family portraits, free of charge, to help them forge ahead after disaster. 

Various photographers and studios have offered the service during the holiday season, and this week, Art.com set up shop in the lobby of the El Dorado Hotel in historic Sonoma Plaza. 

"Do you know any good jokes?" photographer Mario Elias asked, as his subjects posed for portraits.

Then, Elias proceeded to rattle off some corny jokes of his own, triggering smiles and laughter.

Thomas and Keri Spain, who lost their home to the Atlas fire in Napa County, were among those saying "cheese" Wednesday night. 

"Starting new, that's what we're taking this as, like a phoenix rising," said Keri, clutching her framed portrait. "We're trying to move forward and make new memories."

The couple had time to grab few possessions as the fire advanced.

"This portrait is one of the few things we'll have to put in a new house, no matter where we end up going," said Thomas.  

A few dozen parties came for 15-minute photo sessions over the two-day Sonoma event. 

"I think this will be one of the first things we get in our new place, once we get it," said Noah Harris, alongside his wife and two 9-year-old daughters.

They lost their home in Santa Rosa's Coffey Park. 

Harris said the portrait doesn't begin to replace precious mementos and photo albums that were destroyed, but it's value also lies in the thought behind it. 

"For me, more than anything, I think it represents the kindness of our community," said Harris. art.com is headquartered in Emeryville, and set-up the photo sessions, with an employee who grew up in Santa Rosa.

"We asked, how can we give people a sense of home when they don't have a home right now?" mused  Lee Decker, a social media coordinator for the company.

Decker has relatives who lost their own homes.

"A lot of people don't have anything personal right now, and they can choose the photo and pick the frame and walk out of here with something that's theirs," said Decker. 

There was fun on both sides of the camera, and photographer Elias calls the experience "unreal." 

"Just the hope everybody has, and how they're so positive," said Eilias, " ad the joy in their eyes is something I didn't expect to see but they're happy to be with each other and happy to be alive." 

A young couple, who moved from Los Angeles to Santa Rosa, one month before the fires, said the support they've received, is why they won't leave now.

"We lost our home and this portrait is just something that feels like a new beginning," said Gina Gulino, who lived in the Larkfield area. 

"We're hoping the new year, 2018, is  really good year, with less crazy stuff going on." 

A third day of free portraits has been added, Dec. 20, from 1 to 8 p.m. at the Vintners Inn in Santa Rosa. 

Drop-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred. Signups are here. 

Source: Photographers shoot free holiday portraits for North Bay fire victims