Photographic Experience
Derek Smith • 28 May 2021
This is the last of a quartet of blogs on photography skills, and gear. In this blog I want to focus on photographic experience, this is something that simply cannot be bought, but is acquired over time.
Photographic cameras, and lenses are tools to be used, whether the camera is a mobile phone, compact camera, mirrorless, DSLR, budget or top of the range camera it is important to be confident using the camera. Ask yourself these questions, can I change ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed, or select a focus point quickly? When is the use of continuous AF best employed? What aperture best suits my camera for a particular subject / scene?
Having a camera that feels comfortable to use, and where you know all the camera controls will produce far better images than having the latest and greatest gear. I’ve been watching a YouTube video by Chris Orange, a photographer, who is enthusing about the Fuji X-E1 that he bought second hand for £149 and taking some fantastic photos with it, my Olympus PEN E-PL7 body cost only £120 second hand, and I’ve taken some great photos with that camera. Take time to research your camera, watch set-up videos on YouTube, then set the camera the way that you want it. Know what works for you, I know that many photographers use “back button” focus, a method that I wouldn’t find useful, as I have always used a mirrorless camera with multiple focus points, and I am comfortable with a half press of the shutter button to focus on my subject.
Focus points, on my Sony cameras I used to leave auto-focus set to continuous AF, the focusing just worked. On Olympus my cameras are always set to single AF, unless I’m tracking a moving subject when I switch to C-AF with a cluster of 9 focus points, it’s learning your camera, with strengths and weaknesses that make a difference in your images. Many photographers will use fully manual mode for every photograph taken, whereas I invariably use Aperture priority mode, as I know the aperture that gives the best results in most given scenarios and remember the best aperture for a scene may be dependant on sensor size, a landscape scene on a full frame camera might be taken at f/16, but on a Panasonic, or Olympus micro four thirds sensor f/7.1, or a f/8 aperture might be more appropriate.
Get to know your lenses, for prime lenses many photographers will use a trio of lenses in full frame terms a focal length of 35mm, 50mm, and an 85mm. Sometimes though a wide aperture constant aperture zoom lens may offer best value and results, the Sony 18 – 105mm f/4, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 are good examples of these type of lenses.
The next area of expertise is in the composition of your images, and the use of light. When you see a scene worthy of photographing, take time to assess the scene, and the direction of light, especially with landscape, or architectural photography, and if you know of a good location perhaps return when the light is more favourable. Take multiple shots at different angles, is there an element that either needs to be in the frame, or should be excluded? A good tip that I’ve picked up from Nigel Danson (a YouTube landscape photographer) is to visualise the scene with the screen of a mobile phone, before setting up the camera on a tripod.
Try to simplify the image, picking out the essential elements only, this will make for a more impactful image. Try and ensure that your subject is positioned correctly within the frame, on the thirds, or centrally, get as much right in camera as you can, as this will save hours of editing later.
Fill the frame with the subject, this is especially important with smaller sensor cameras, are you photographing a tree that happens to have a bird in it, or are you photographing the bird? The same will apply to insect photography try and get as close as you can, or use a longer lens. Yes, you can crop into an image to highlight the subject, but not to the point where the image is the size of a postage stamp!!
Having said all that, never be afraid of the “grab shot”, sometimes an opportunity will arise, and a few seconds is all you will have to take the shot, this photograph of Glen Coe in the Highlands of Scotland was taken on a 10 minute coach stop, out of the lay-by, the early morning November light was just right. The elements in this image are a good in-focus foreground, the leading lines of the roadside barriers, guiding the eye through the scene down the valley, the sky, the lighting, and the colours of the hillsides. Taken with a Sony A6300 camera, and a Sigma DN Contemporary 16mm f/1.4 lens. Aperture priority at f/10 to give the depth of field within the scene, 1/250 shutter speed, and ISO 1600.
Lastly, and most importantly, take the photos that please you, obviously some critique of your images will help you to mature, and grow as a photographer, but the pleasure in creating images that appeal to you is immeasurable, just enjoy your hobby, and if someone else likes your photo that is a bonus.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All We have just got back from a week staying at Sedbergh, Cumbria. We had varied weather but not too much rain and some really good light for taking photographs. There is no shortage of water up there the rivers and waterfalls are flowing well. Last week at the club Harry Kerman gave a talk on one of his favourite subjects, flowers. I was not there but going by the blog Harry demonstrated how he goes about taking his photographs with some stunning photographs to show what can be done. This week, Wednesday 5th November, Mike Bennett from Cleethorpes will be our speaker, Mike likes to tell a story with his photographs and seeing some of his talks before it will be an excellent evening. Today, (Sunday) it is the LPA PDI club competition at Nettleham village hall near Lincoln. 1.30 pm for 2pm start. If you have nothing on this afternoon why not go along and see how we get on. The week after (12th November) we hold a series of mini lectures, with this year's club outings as the topic. If you would like to take part, email me please and I will see how many members want to take part. Harry is also taking entries for this year's PDI of the year, all the rules are on our website but any image that has not been in a PDI of the year before and there are six subjects with a maximum of six photographs in all. Closing date is 12th November. Regards Graham
At our meeting last night one of our members, Harry Kerman gave a talk on one of his favourite genres, flower photography. Harry's talk was accompanied by a slick, professional standard power point presentation, he also had his camera a Canon R6 II, a Sigma 105mm macro lens, a Lens Baby 56mm manual focus lens, and the standard 24-70mm zoom. Harry demonstrated his use of the equipment, which included backgrounds, a plamp to hold flowers in place, and a light box. After the break Harry presented some of his images, projected onto the screen, not all the images were "perfect" he wanted to show some of his mistakes so that we could learn from them, he also welcomed feedback from members, all of the flower images he showed were stunning, and you can see some of them on this post. It was an inspiring evening, providing many techniques, and creative ideas for members to emulate. Harry's passion for flower photography shone through during the whole talk, his clear narration, power point presentation, demonstrations, and images completed a very successful night. Thank you Harry for a fascinating evening, and to Richard Hildred for the refreshments during the break.
Good morning, All Last week at the club we held a retro night, with four members showing pre year 2000 transparencies. It turned out to be a really interesting evening, I didn't know Richard Hildred had started out at an early age photographing trains, it turned out himself and member Chris Birchmore were travelling on the Flying Scotsman in 1967 at the same time. There is a full report on the evening on our blog. This week, Wednesday 29th October, Harry Kerman, one of our members will be showing some of his projected images, and talking about his interest in flower photography. Don't forget Harry is now taking entries for our PDIOTY (Projected Digital Image Of The Year) competition. (closing date 12th November) Regards Graham
Last night was a nostalgic trip down memory lane, with four of our members presenting a slide show taken before year 2000. Now we all remember sitting in a darkened living room showing your latest holiday slides to friends, and neighbours, that click and whir as the slides changed, the stuck slide, the one that was upside down, or back to front, and uncle Jim dozing on the settee! It wasn't quite like that for last night's presentation, Richard Hildred began the evening with some amazing images of railways from British Rail days, we might ride one of the preserved heritage lines, and see the gleaming clean steam engines pulling a line of carriages, Richard's images returned us to the reality of steam powered passenger and freight operations, with the dirt, the grit, and grime of daily steam running, this image captures the essence of steam hauled mixed goods traffic, Richard's slide was in colour, but renders better here in monochrome. Next up was Tony Gaskins, many of his slides featured his first trip to the Maasai Mara game reserve, and the Ngorongoro Crater, Tony also showed slides from his trip to Canada, his slides and narration made for a great presentation. This image of a mother elephant, and calf was taken in the Ngorongoro Crater. After the break, Chris Birchmore presented many images from the Lincolnshire area, some of the disused, and crumbling buildings in the images made interesting subjects for photography, I have used this image of Bolingbroke castle, and from this viewpoint the church is clearly visible in this image, compared with today where only the church tower is visible. Graham Harrison was our last presenter, last but not least, the variety of images shown was remarkable, several from Wales, and quite a few that had been entered into club competitions previously, and were of high quality, as this image of a Flamingo shows. It was a fascinating, and interesting evening, thanks to each of our presenters, and to Dave Mann for the refreshments.
Good Afternoon, All, Last week at the club we held our monthly print competition, with the categories of "Mono" and "Open", judged by Diane Seddon. It was a very good evening with Diane critiquing our prints with helpful comments on how we could improve our images as well as praise. The results are on our website but well done to David Whitehouse for best print in the mono and Dave Turner for best print in the open. This week, Wednesday 22nd October, we go back in time to before the millennium with transparency slides to be shown by Tony Gaskins, Chris Birchmore, Richard Hildred and myself. You can start sending Harry your entries for the PDI of the year, all the rules etc are on our website, but the important thing is you can enter any PDI's as long as they have never been in a PDI of the year before. There are six subjects and an overall max of six PDI's, no more than three per subject. Regards Graham
A print competition was held last night with the categories of; "Monochrome" and "Open". Diane Seddon from Cleethorpes Camera Club was the judge for the evening, Diane is very skilled, and thorough in her judging, providing useful insight, and critique of the prints. Many of her comments centered around the best cropping of an image to optimise the subject within the frame, and giving the subject "room to breathe" in the framing. Congratulations to David Whitehouse placed first in the "Monochrome" category, with his superb rendering of a face sculpture, and Dave Turner placed first in the "Open" category with his stunning print of the sunrise over Whitby Harbour. Thanks to Diane Seddon for a great evening, and as she remarked at the end of the competition all the prints were of an extremely high standard. The Competition Page has been updated with the highest placed images, but currently the score sheets for the competition are unavailable.
Good Morning All Last week Dave Bennett came to the club again, it has been a while since we have seen his photography but well worth the wait. Dave's photographs were excellent and his story telling along with AV's made it a very good night. This week, Wednesday 15th October, we are holding a print competition, with the categories of "Mono" and "Open", our judge for the evening will be Diane Seddon AFIAP CPAGB BPE3* she is well qualified to judge our prints. The following week we are going to try a retro night again, with Transparencies taken prior to the year 2000, please let me know if you want to take part and have a time slot allotted, time will depend on the numbers wanting to take part. Regards Graham
Last night Dave Bennett came to the club to show us AV's and narrate other sets of photographs on a theme. Dave started with photos along the Humber and then carried on the evening with AV's on nature, flowers and transport as well as talks and photographs showing us Grimsby docks including detailed photographs of fish smoking and engineering. Dave's photography is of a very high standard with strong colours, lot's of use of depth of field and they tell a story. A great night, thank you Dave.
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held a local PDI competition with a category of "5 Minutes From Your Home", we had some very good entries in each category with myself, and Dave Turner judging on the night. All the results are on our website, but well done to Derek for his mobile phone picture of a remembrance seat in Horncastle and Harry for his hellebores in the "Open" category. This week, Wednesday 8th October, Dave Bennett is coming to the club to show us what he has been taking lately, Dave does quite a bit of AV so as usual it will be a very good night. A reminder, send your print titles for the next print competition to Dave Turner by midnight Wednesday and bring your prints in this Wednesday night as well please. If you have any more N&EMPF Exhibition PDI entries send them to me by midnight tomorrow (Monday) please. Regards Graham
Our PDI "Local" competition was held last night, with the categories of "5 Minutes From Your Home", and "Open". Dave Turner, one of our members began the evening with judging the "Open" category, always a difficult category in my opinion because of the variety of subjects entered into the competition. Dave had previewed the images on his home computer, and had notes on each of the images, he provided excellent feedback on each image. After the break, Graham Harrison began judging the "5 Minutes From Your Home" category, this was a very unusual subject category which stretched the creative ingenuity of members, and it was particularly interesting to see what members had submitted. Graham judged the entries very fairly, and provided very good critique of the images. The standard of images submitted was high, which makes judging a competition such as this difficult, and as always is subjective, but a big thank you to both judges, it was an interesting evening. The first placed images, from each category are shown on this post, "At the Going Down of the Sun" by Derek Smith, "5 minutes from your home", and "Hellebores" by Harry Kerman in the "Open" category. The website Competition Page has been updated with the top three placed images, and the scoresheets.
