Tell us your secrets

[Nancy S]

One of the best things about viewing all the great photos on Byte is seeing the individual styles of each photographer. There's a never-ending variety of ways to take great photos.

I would love to hear from you all about what your favorite type of photography is - macro, birds, landscapes, etc., and one or two of your favorite techniques you've developed as part of your personal style.

I think we all enjoy branching out and trying something new, but it can also be a little intimidating to step out of our comfort zone and do something we're not so good at yet. Having a few tips in mind before starting would be a great encouragement to expand the old creative eye, I think.

[Tatanka001]

Nancy

Im still learning but I enjoy Nature and Lanscape this way I can work with Macro, and wide angle with a little bit of silhouette thrown in as well.

[Lonewolf]

Still Lives....in photo school I always seemed to have a Knack for them. It stems from the fact that I am a fine artist as well.

I paint, and draw in all media but I prefer oils.....there is an oil painting of my daughter posted in my gallery.

[Buddy4344]

As I have noted on this site recently, I have started a blog related to African Wildlife, safari travel, and photography of wildlife. One category at the site is devoted to photo tips: http://www.chobesafari.com/Section/photography-tips

Many of these tips are applicable to all photography, whether landscape (my favorite) or macro (one of my better selling subjects) or wildlife. The tips to date come from my experiences. I hope this section will add 1 to 3 tips per week. Currently, I am in the middle of an article on selecting beanbags - which is my tip for byte: sharp photos result from steady cameras, so try to always use a tripod or beanbag AND CABLE RELEASE. For the more advanced, I also use shutter lock-up setting on landscapes and macro to further steady my camera.

I am still growing as a photographer, so I also love to pick up new tips, so I hope this thread thrives.

I am also interested in allowing anyone that is interested to author article for www.ChobeSafari.com and photo tips would be a great topic for contribution.

[Rrdjserv]

When setting up for bird photography, I always check the sun location first. Next, I shift a little right or left to find a good background. After that, I adjust my tripod and set up the camera for the expected shot; action or still. I also need to decide if I am going to stand or sit, and if I am going to use the blind or stand out in the open. I need to decide which lens and accessories to use; teleconverters or extension rings. Then all that is left is the wait.

--Rick

[JoeMc]

Know your equipment....and really learn what it can do for you and push it!...Be creative.
Stop trying to achieve results that you have seen in the past and start trying to acheive something different!

Shoot the same scene with many different f/stops and exposures..... Take many many pictures because even a broken clock is right twice a day :-)

Cheers, Joe

[northbeach]

Know that your most important camera accessory is your legs.

Look at all of the edge of your image, sometime we concentrate so much on the main subject we get sloppy around the frame itself.

Give yourself a kick in your creative pants, every so often and look in a different direction.

Sheila

[KHedquist]

I prefer B&W as most of you know. Believe it or not I don't shoot at the magic hour. At least I don't need to since the color is not as critical as the light. I often shoot in harsh light or dim light with no flash. I like how it affect the tones. I take way more shots than most. Isn't digital wonderful!

The one thing I have learned is to always have a camera with me. I travel on business a lot so I carry different set ups. Point and shoot, or a large pack with all my lens or just one body and my trusty 18-250mm.

You just never know a photo op is going to present itself. I don't want to miss something special.

Kevin

[cindylea]

I love abstracts. They are everywhere if you look for them. I always see hundreds of potential abstracts in stores where of course I can't take my camera. They are even in your kitchen. Sam says I take my best photographs in my pajamas in the kitchen.

I enjoy being creative with shape and form. Photography is like choreographing in that you are arranging shapes or people in space and time. Abstracts give me the chance to use my creativity...my favorite thing to do.

So be on the lookout for abstracts. You can create one or you may stumble upon one. They are great fun!

Cindy

[JPope42]

I never thought of myself as a photographer. I think I'm more of an observer because I like to document stuff. The way I see it is different than the way you see it, so I enjoy the comments from all who do comment (even though my postings here and elsewhere are erratic for a variety of reasons). I like to see how perceptions match up.

I have an overly big pile of camera stuff, from $20 "toy cameras" to somewhat more expensive dslr's. It's important to have technical expertise, but that can be learned as you go. Like some others have mentioned, I believe the two most important things are to:
1. always have a way to take pictures with you because you never know...
2.keep your eyes open and see because your perceptions are what makes the shot, not the equipment.

jim

[SMcEvoy]

Keep your eyes open. Excellent photos can be found in what we see, use, and drive or pass by every day. I've leapt up from the kitchen table during dinner, grabbed the camera and shot flowers sitting in front of me because I happened to notice and like the lighting.

I know a lot of photographers swear by tripods, but I only use them as a last resort - when lighting requires a really low speed, I'm using my big zoom, or I'm looking for a specific effect. To me, handheld, allows a lot more options for adjustments in position, changing conditions and spontaneous events. Many of my images are a quick pullover to the roadside to capture something that's caught my eye.

I also take a lot of my images at times of day other photographers don't recommend. It happens to be where I am at the time and what I see - e.g. big puffy white clouds casting big contrasting shadows on a rolling green field.

If I'm doing weddings or other portraits I always challenge myself to find a new way to shoot something I've shot before. Or to learn what a new filter does in Photoshop Elements and apply it.

Also take the back roads. If you have a 'usual' route somewhere, try a different way. It's amazing what you'll see from a different perspective.

[Punwit]

I'm drawn to repetitive shapes in unalike items so I'm continually looking at not only light but shapes. Finding a cloud that wraps a tree in a loving embrace, a tree that cradles the setting sun, swaying grass that envelope a delicate flower... and so on. So when surveying your scene look for copacetic elements.

[makwa44]

well sheesh if its a secret why would you tell? HAHA love outdoors things wither macro or stills. I do a lot of French and Indian war re-enactments so have ample opportunity to shot things they may look very old. Guess should set up a gallery here any hints on how-to do that not to sound like a nerd but think its good to share things to see what others think and how to improve.