The Basics
There is no fullproof strategy for taking the perfect outdoor photograph, but you can't go far wrong with a combination of the following elements.
* Ensure that the image you are trying to compose is visually stimulating!
* The perfect location, let the scenery do all the work.
* External lighting conditions
* Opportunism (pure luck)
Useful link on >>>Understanding how a digital camera works<<<
Purchasing the right camera.
Most people start off with a basic digital camera, then become frustrated by it's limitations or lack of image quality, and want to achieve more. This then propels you into the minefield of internet reviews as to what is hot or not. I have always found the following review site to be absolutely spot on when it comes to what you personally need from a camera. http://www.dpreview.com/
I, myself started off with a Fuji finepix camera, then upgraded to a Nikon D90. I have found the D90 to be an exemplary camera that provides everything that I personally require, but everybody is different, and if you want to spend a little less on a camera, then there is a very competitive market in the crossover/beginner range of cameras. There are now some excellent fixed lens DSLR's available and the technology is constantly improving.
Photoshopping your images
Often frowned upon, the use of photoshop is usually derided by purists. This is a consequence of the print media who frequently airbrush people to make them look younger or thinner, sometimes with horrendous results. This form of photoshop usage is mostly ridiculous, but not all elements of photoshop require this level of scorn. For instance, cropping, enhancing, or sharpening the clarity of an image is no different from the methods employed by photographers in darkrooms 15 years ago. The only difference being that they had to fiddle about with lightboxes and filters through a process of trial and error, until they were happy with the image, whereas current photoshop technology just allows people to conduct this from the comfort of their living rooms, via a laptop computer. On the whole, photoshop is your friend, just don't go mad with it.
Visual Stimulation
Sorry to harp on about this, but it is open to debate as to what some people find visually stimulating, and what others find inherently boring. Many people do not find Landscape photography interesting and much prefer portrait stuff, then some people like taking long exposure images of stars in the night sky, or creating something spectacular from wire wool. To me, I find all of it interesting.
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Silhouettes
An easy way to make a rather normal image much more interesting, is the use of a silhouette. For example, the image below was taken whilst on location in West Kirkby, the sunset and the windsurfers would make a rather standard seaside image on it's own, but with the two seagulls silhouetted against the sun, it elevates the image to a different level.
Spinningfields
Dusk and Dawn shoots
*click on the images for original resolution*
Using the same principle, imagine the images below without the silhouetted figure. Would it have the same impact?
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Night photography
This is probably one of the most enjoyable forms of photography, in my opinion. Using a tripod and longer exposure times, you really don't know what you're gonna get, until you get home and properly scan the images. If you combine the silhouette theory with long exposure night images, then the results can be rather impressive.
Useful Night Photography locations - North West
Castlefield, Manchester Blackpool North Pier
Salford Quays
Spinningfields
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The Opportunist
One of the successful factors I mentioned above is the element of luck. Now there is level of commitment involved in being ready to snap at any given moment, and many times I have had to leave my poor wife stranded in the car while I've climbed into a field for that special sunburst piercing through the clouds image. I suppose an element of planning is involved in this. I often check weather forecasts beforehand or accounting for the position of the sun before venturing out with or without the camera. There are countless occasions when these ventures have been fruitless, but in the same vein, I would be more annoyed at missing out on something special. The below images fall into this category of opportunism.
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Landscape Photography
Are you one of those people who arrive at the perfect viewing spot, with a picturesque rolling landscape before you, but somehow when you take a picture with your camera, it just doesn't do it justice? There are many contributing factors to this, from selecting the landscape symbol on your camera settings, to the light quality. What I always look for is the position of the sun in the sky. Never shoot towards the sun, this will cause overexposure of the image or whiteout. If the sun is directly above or better still behind you, then these are perfect conditions for landscape photography. Also, if the sky is overcast with grey cloud, then this can tend to make the image less vibrant and rather dull. Most weather forecasting websites these days display images of where the cloud may be at different parts of the day, something you get used to checking when you live in the North West of England! This can be the difference between capturing the image you want or returning home empty handed.
Dusk and Dawn shoots
A perfect time to capture wonderful Landscape images is when the sun is low in the sky, these are the occasions when pointing your camera towards the sun is encouraged. Also when the sun sets, you can have a field day with the changing colours of the sky or clouds.
Shooting in overcast conditions
These are usually the best conditions for taking close up shots, as clouds act as a perfect diffuser for the sun. So if you are looking to take portraits or macros, then this is the time. If you have your heart set on taking a landscape image during overcast or cloudy conditions, there are a few techniques that you can try. One idea is to capture more of the land, instead of sky. Another is to capture the moody refections of the clouds across a body of water. Or create something dreamy and atmospheric.
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