Photo Tips » PhotoComment

Wildlife Photography on an African Safari

Mario Fazekas, Photo Tips, Tutorials 1 Response »

May 172011

Professional nature photographers make it look easy don’t they! A giraffe silhouetted against the setting sun; savannah landscapes of acacia trees under deep blue skies and the action sequence of a hungry cheetah catching a terrified springbok.

Yet wildlife photography, which sits next to bird, landscape and macro photography the umbrella of ‘nature photography’, is extremely challenging. Unlike studio photography there is very little that is under your control. To obtain good images you need to have the right equipment, know how to use the various items and have photographic vision. Basically you need to apply what is commonly known as the Five-P’s of photography. I’ll briefly list them here:

New Look At Mundane

Photo Tips, Tristan Hall No Responses »

Apr 192011

Sometimes the most ordinary things can look extraordinary if you change your perspective. I shot this image nice and low on the Sony NEX-5 which thanks to the flip out screen meant I didn’t have to kiss the dirt.

This was imported on the iPad with a camera connector kit and then edited using Photogene.

Some Images Are Best In Colour

Tristan Hall No Responses »

Apr 162011

Advertise Here

So, on Monday I shared with you how I met up with Sifiso in New Town and we went around shooting. Most of the day I was shooting in Black and White but this particular image is one that shows how the contrast of colour are best expressed… well in colour.

Now For A Question For You

How many of you are doing a 365 day project? You know, where you are shooting a picture a day? If so let us know in the comments or via the contact form. If not but you are keen on the idea let us know as well… I can feel an idea brewing.

Picture shot on Sony NEX-5 with 18-55mm imported to iPad and edited with Photogene

Dear Photographer, Tip, Love Your Client.

Candice Hall, Photo Tips No Responses »

Apr 122011

Photographers give this some thought today:

Dear Photographer taking my family’s pictures today.

All people are unique. All Families are different. Please don’t make us pose unnaturally to our natures. My toddler does not sit still and pulls faces when he does – you’ll need to be prepared for that.

We are not just some other family you are taking pictures of today. We have individual relationships that we express between us - please honor and try to capture those.

I do not want my family photo’s to look like the Smith family shots you did last week, last month or last year. I don’t mind if you try one thing new and experiment to get the best pics of my family. A balance of professionalism and ingenuity please.

Please communicate with me about what my expectations are and what your capabilities are.

I think thats all – I ought to still leave you with the creative license. So please be creative.

Love from Your Client (who knows a bit about the visual arts)

Photo Tip: Play with Shutter Speeds

Photo Tips, Tristan Hall No Responses »

Apr 052011

At our recent Parkour Photo Walk I was interested to see Werner Strauss’ approach to shooting the fast paced action using a slower shutter speed to better communicate the sense of speed and motion. A few weeks later I tried the same thing (partly by accident as I was not paying a lot of attention to the shutter speeds while still figuring out the Canon EOS 7D) and came across some great effects particularly when combined with the Nissin Di622 flash off camera. Sometimes it’s a good idea to break out of the “freeze the motion” mind set and pay around or experiment a bit. What do you think of the image above, do you think it would be as effective without the motion blur?

Photo Tip: Creating Stunning Silhouettes

Lisa Solonynko, Photo Tips No Responses »

Mar 102011

Shooting silhouettes can be fun and challenging all at the same time. The following tips will help you create compelling silhouettes that demand a second look.
Continue reading »

Photo Tip: Top Tips For Outstanding Pet Photography

Lisa Solonynko, Photo Tips 1 Response »

Mar 082011

Many photographers have a difficult time with pet photography. At first blush, it can be quite frustrating. With the right technique however, pet photography can be extremely rewarding.

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Pet photography is no different than people portraits. When shooting portraiture, certain rules usually apply:

Don’t crop through joints
Keep eyes sharp
Get in close
Include negative space
Use the rule of thirds

These basic rules can easily apply to pet photography as well. The only difference is that animals can’t be told where to stand. A pet photographer needs to reposition themselves to get the shot.

Using the same composition rules for pets as for people will always create more compelling images.

Photo Tip: Don’t Rush to Buy More Gear

Photo Tips, Tristan Hall 5 Responses »

Jan 252011

Having done my time in photographic retail I often find that this time of year has people rushing out to buy a new lens, flash etc for the camera that they got as a gift at Christmas. Before you do anything further STOP! and read on.

It can be very exciting to have a new camera and trust me I know how anxious you are to start shooting wildlife images for National Geographic or fashion for ELLE but before you go splashing cash or crashing credit cards ask yourself if you have really hit the limits of what you already have?

Photo Tip: Shut Up & Shoot Series by Frederick Van

Photo Tips No Responses »

Jan 112011

This week my photography tip is to visit the website of Frederick Van (host of the This Week In Photo podcast) who has recently launched a new podcast series entitled Shut Up & Shoot.

The series is already in Lesson 4 and are short simple tips of a few minutes, covering topics like Learning Your Camera and Making Great Pictures for you Blog. Short, sweet and too the point, these podcasts are a great way to way to pick up ideas, be inspired or get to grips with photography as a new found hobby.

Photo Tip: Sunglasses Filter

Photo Tips, Tristan Hall No Responses »

Jan 042011

A few weeks ago I went on a walk and tried to shoot the sky with our little Sony Cyber-shot HX5. The image was bland and I didn’t bring a graduated filter with me. In a moment of insanity I decided to try taking the picture through my Sunglasses. Here is the before and after. Just a quick tip when you really just need to add something to the image.

Photo Tip: How to be Wedding Guest & Photographer

Photo Tips No Responses »

Dec 212010

Many of us photographers get roped into shooting our friends weddings. Although this can be a great honour, it is important to balance being the photographer, as well as being a guest at the wedding. “How on earth do you do that?!”, I hear you asking…

Photo Tip: Budget Macro Photography

Photo Tips No Responses »

Dec 142010

This weeks photography tip is inspired by Make Magazine. Macro on a Budget. Below is the video on how its done… I’ve always known the principle of moving the lens forward to be simple, I just never thought it could be this easy to do. If you like DIY then this is just for you.

Photo Tip: The Art of Wildlife Photography

Photo Tips 1 Response »

Dec 072010

This weeks Photo Tips comes from Dan Elkabir of LighScapes who has a passion for wildlife photography. Hope you enjoy.

The Art of Wildlife Photography

Dawn has just broken. You can begin to make out the details of the acacia studded landscape. Your hot breath condenses to steam as it touches the fresh country air. It may be cold outside, but not even that will stop you from having your car window wide open. It may be early but your senses are wide-awake, consuming the sight sound, and smell of the bush. You have not felt this relaxed in a long time, but still there is an air of tension. The tension of the hunt; your arms stay clutching your weapon, poised at even the slightest hint of action to take aim and fire. But you are neither after hides nor horns. You are hunting for memories, that split second of beauty where Mother Nature herself seems to conspire to present you with the “perfect” picture.

Photo Tip: Attend a PhotoWalk

Photo Tips, Tristan Hall No Responses »

Nov 302010

This weeks photo tip could be viewed as a little self indulgent though it is better than the one I was persuaded not to post. What was it you ask? Go out and grab the first issue of PhotoComment magazine in print. Alas, I have been told not to use that as the photo tip so this weeks tip is to attend Photo Walks.

What Are Photo Walks?

Wikipedia defines it as: “the act of walking with a camera for the main purpose of taking pictures of things that the photographer may find interesting.”

Personally I like social Photo Walks where people get together and in a good group of people, the creative energy is passed around, increasing as it makes its way through each member of the walk.

Due to this enthusiasm, PhotoComment will be holding its first open PhotoWalk this Saturday 4 December 2010. Meeting place is Arts on Main in Johannesburg CBD. Details can be found on our Facebook Event page.

What ever you do, dont end the year without grabbing some friends by the arms and going out to photo walk. Get inspired. Travel light by limiting gear to a lens or two max. Limit the gear and increase the creativity. Above all, have fun and learn from each other.

Photo Tip: Shoot Wide, Shoot Low

Photo Tips, Tristan Hall No Responses »

Nov 092010

Todays shooting tip comes from a personal experience while out walking in our new neighbourhood and shooting with Sony’s new Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 24mm f/2 and the trusty Alpha A850. We are fortunate to have a lot of Jacaranda trees in the area and combined with the recent rain the pavement was covered in the purple flowers and mushrooms.

I admit, I seldom shoot with wide angle lenses so this presented me with an opportunity to try something new… but what?

I switched over to manual focus, stopped down to f/8-11 and (due to the lack of Live View – come on Sony, Nikon, Canon, some of the pro bodies deserve this with a rotating LCD) held the camera to the ground and guessed what I was getting through the viewfinder (I was not keen to lie on any of the bees hovering over the ground).

There is a whole new perspective on the world when you shoot wide and get down low, try it some time, even if you don’t have a really wide angle lens, then hire it and explore a whole new world from down low.

Photo Tip: Prepare Gear the Night Before

Photo Tips, Rikki Hibbert 1 Response »

Nov 022010

While I may be writing this weeks Photo Tip, the idea comes from Rikki who regularly contributes here on PhotoComment. Rikki’s tip “Always prep your camera gear the night before a shoot, so there is time to charge your batteries, check your memory cards, pack your props, and make sure you have everything you need.”

We asked Rikki why this would be her photo tip. Here is her story.

Photo Tip: Rules Can Be Broken

Photo Tips 1 Response »

Oct 262010

In the days of film thinking and pre-visuallation were a requirement especially when shooting 4×5 sheet film. These days life is a bit simpler. Digital photography is more flexible and there is more space for creativity.

‘Rules’ are important in the beginning when one starts learning photography. These rules hpwever aren’t really rules either, more like guide lines, tried and tested to make the most appealing images. But sometimes the ‘perfect’ image is boring and one needs to look at the world a bit differently. Anyway breaking rules is more fun. I have seen images by top photographer where there is no use of the rule of thirds.

Older Entries

Wildlife Photography on an African Safari

New Look At Mundane

Some Images Are Best In Colour

Dear Photographer, Tip, Love Your Client.

Photo Tip: Play with Shutter Speeds

Photo Tip: Creating Stunning Silhouettes

Photo Tip: Top Tips For Outstanding Pet Photography

Photo Tip: Don’t Rush to Buy More Gear

Photo Tip: Shut Up & Shoot Series by Frederick Van

Photo Tip: Sunglasses Filter

Photo Tip: How to be Wedding Guest & Photographer

Photo Tip: Budget Macro Photography

Photo Tip: The Art of Wildlife Photography

Photo Tip: Attend a PhotoWalk

Photo Tip: Shoot Wide, Shoot Low

Photo Tip: Prepare Gear the Night Before

Photo Tip: Rules Can Be Broken

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