Outdoor photography is a great way to be creative and use nature to your benefit. Whether you are a landscape photographer, a fashion photographer, or anything in between, shooting outdoors can allow you to add a different dimension to your images. Even if you are an expert in shooting outside or enjoy the recreational shoot, there is always a way to improve on your ability; below are nine outdoor photography tips to try out when shooting outdoors.
Image from Pexels: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-woman-using-white-and-black-slr-camera-1051076/
Use a drone to capture a different perspective
If you enjoy landscape photography, you will know that sometimes the shot you want is just impossible. You can see it in your mind, but maybe it’s that little high up, or you need to get further back, but you can’t. This is where a drone has revolutionized the industry! A drone allows you to get angles and perspectives that once were impossible. Plus, adding drone photography to your repertoire will develop your portfolio and hopefully put your in a better position for potential jobs that you may want to take on. Take a look at DrDrone.ca if you would like to learn more about different drones on the market.
Shoot at different times of the day
Too bright and your images become over-saturated, whereas too dark and you need to bring your own lights with you. Before any shoot, look at what the weather forecast is and plan accordingly. Golden hour (Just as the sun starts to go down) can be the best time to shoot as the light is less harsh, with the skies sometimes being their most beautiful. Depending on the type of shoot you are doing, the time you shoot will make a big difference; for example, landscape photography may be best in the morning, whereas fashion photography as the sunsets.
Try to shoot with the sun behind you
Granted, this may be hard to achieve sometimes, however shooting with the sun behind you can be very beneficial. If the sun is behind you, the subject that you are shooting will be evenly lit, allowing for a more natural image without you needing to bring in artificial lights. You will also benefit from the light not being directly in the lens, causing the image to be over-saturated. If you enjoy landscape photography, you will find the sky will be better lit and be able to capture the colors better without the sun affecting the contrast.
Always shoot in RAW
One of the first things you will be taught in your photography lessons is to shoot RAW. This will continue to be repeated during your career! And again, in this article. By shooting RAW, you can capture all the details within the image, including the color range and depth. This is especially important when shooting outside as the more colors you can capture, the greater your photo will appear. When it comes to editing your images, RAW allows you to control an image’s depth, taking and adding light to make the image look its best.
Capturing shadows
Shadows can add another dimension to your photos if done correctly. When shooting outside in the sun, depending on the angle of what you are shooting, different shadows appear. Like when shooting with reflections, this can allow you to be creative and show a subject in a different manner.
If shooting a portrait of someone, always focus on them
If you enjoy portrait photography, you may or may not have tried it outside. When shooting your subject outdoors, it is important you always focus on them instead of the surroundings. This way, the image should come out sharper with the subject standing out, and the background blurred. It’s always a good idea to focus on the model’s eyes as a focal point, as this is what can create a lot of emotion in the shot.
The more you shoot, the more choices you will have
This applies to both outdoor photography and indoor photography. When trying to capture your subject or the surroundings, make sure you take enough photos. The more you take, the more choices you have when choosing the ones to edit. Sometimes when shooting, you may not realize a specific part of the image is burry, so by having multiple photos, hopefully, one of them came out correctly.
Use a tripod if you can
It may be a pain to have on your back and carry around with you, but a tripod can enhance your photography and allow you to be more creative with your shoots. When shooting landscape, the stability a tripod brings can be the difference between a blurry or nonblurry shot. A tripod gives you more time to frame your shot and use the viewfinder to see how it will appear. We advise purchasing a photography backpack, and this can carry all your camera gear and your tripod, making it easier to transport around.
Use the correct lens
Depending on the type of outdoor photography you are doing, you should be using a different kind of lens. For landscapes, a wide-angle lens is more beneficial so that you can capture more of the view and represent distance. Whereas a portrait photographer may want to opt for a prime lens or a 24-70mm. Before purchasing a new lens, do some research or what lens are best for your camera and what they are best for capturing.
From getting familiar with your lens to using a tripod, there are many simple tips that you can implement to improve your outdoor photography skills. Above are nine different points for you to take in, which I hope will help. Try and practice one or two of them, and then once you have that mastered, try another. You mustn’t overwhelm yourself by making too many changes. If you haven’t read it before, you may be interested in my article on four tools to help with your photography.
Questions:
Do you enjoy outdoor photography? What tips do you have that have helped to improve your outdoor shooting abilities?
Let me know in the comment box below; I would love to hear from you!
Cheers!
