How to Improve Your Photography
Derek Smith • 27 April 2022
I was really heartened to see at the recent “Print of the Year” POTY competition the extremely high standard of photography that members are now achieving.
Some newcomers to the hobby may be thinking, “how can I achieve that high standard?” The answer I believe lies in consistency, i.e. practice, and knowledge. To become proficient in a hobby such as photography, you should be taking photographs at least weekly, and more frequently if you can. Get to know your camera; the buttons, and dials can be intimidating at first, but possibly with an unfamiliar camera, set everything to “Auto” mode to be comfortable with the feel of the camera in the hand, taking photos and analysing the results. After this leave the ISO in “Auto” and set the camera to Aperture Priority (usually marked A or Av on the mode dial, in the case of a Fuji camera set all the dials to A). Become accustomed to composing an image, and try different angles, get low to the ground, or possibly stand on a higher position. The “run & gun” style of photography is not always the best approach, yes sometimes a “grab shot” is all that you can get in the case of wildlife, or sports photography. In landscape, or portraiture photography, there is usually more time to think, compose the image, and be mindful of the light.
Will an expensive camera improve my photography? No, a high standard, carefully composed image can be taken on a smartphone. However, most dedicated hobbyist photographers will want an interchangeable lens camera, simply because of the control that you have over how the final image looks. A good quality second-hand camera body can be bought for around £200, a Nikon D3300, a Canon EOS 2000, both DSLR cameras are readily available, for mirrorless cameras the Fuji X-E1, Panasonic GX7, or an Olympus OM-D E-M10ii again are in plentiful supply, the Sony A6000 is another good camera but pricier than the models listed. For lens choices allow possibly up to another £200, but some zoom lenses can be bought for less than this.
These photos from my Australian trip in 2017 were taken on an Olympus OM-D E-M10ii, with the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens, which made for an amazing lightweight travel kit.
As I was the only entrant in the Portraiture section of the POTY competition, would any members be interested in me arranging another “studio” portrait workshop?
Some newcomers to the hobby may be thinking, “how can I achieve that high standard?” The answer I believe lies in consistency, i.e. practice, and knowledge. To become proficient in a hobby such as photography, you should be taking photographs at least weekly, and more frequently if you can. Get to know your camera; the buttons, and dials can be intimidating at first, but possibly with an unfamiliar camera, set everything to “Auto” mode to be comfortable with the feel of the camera in the hand, taking photos and analysing the results. After this leave the ISO in “Auto” and set the camera to Aperture Priority (usually marked A or Av on the mode dial, in the case of a Fuji camera set all the dials to A). Become accustomed to composing an image, and try different angles, get low to the ground, or possibly stand on a higher position. The “run & gun” style of photography is not always the best approach, yes sometimes a “grab shot” is all that you can get in the case of wildlife, or sports photography. In landscape, or portraiture photography, there is usually more time to think, compose the image, and be mindful of the light.
Will an expensive camera improve my photography? No, a high standard, carefully composed image can be taken on a smartphone. However, most dedicated hobbyist photographers will want an interchangeable lens camera, simply because of the control that you have over how the final image looks. A good quality second-hand camera body can be bought for around £200, a Nikon D3300, a Canon EOS 2000, both DSLR cameras are readily available, for mirrorless cameras the Fuji X-E1, Panasonic GX7, or an Olympus OM-D E-M10ii again are in plentiful supply, the Sony A6000 is another good camera but pricier than the models listed. For lens choices allow possibly up to another £200, but some zoom lenses can be bought for less than this.
These photos from my Australian trip in 2017 were taken on an Olympus OM-D E-M10ii, with the Olympus 17mm f/1.8 lens, which made for an amazing lightweight travel kit.
As I was the only entrant in the Portraiture section of the POTY competition, would any members be interested in me arranging another “studio” portrait workshop?
Uluru
Photo By: Derek Smith
Lizard
Photo By: Derek Smith
Circular Quay, Sydney
Photo By: Derek Smith
Loch Ard Gorge
Photo By: Derek Smith
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All Last week's outing was re-scheduled due to a clash with a certain world cup match, the good news was a victory for England, however we intend to still hold the outing on Wednesday 22 nd July. I did go to the Festival of Flight at the Shuttleworth collection, Old Warden last weekend. It was too windy for some of the old Biplanes, but we were treated to a four-and-a-half-hour display featuring many planes that I had never seen fly before. The De Havilland Comet was built to compete in the 1934 race from Britain to Australia, only three were built and it's good to see it flying, the aircraft design was quite advanced for 1934. This week, Wednesday 8th July, we have another camera club outing to the Swaby Valley, meeting at 6pm. Swaby is just off the A16 heading from Louth to Skegness. Regards Graham
Last night’s Louth Photographic Societies outing to Kirkby gravel pits nature reserve was cancelled as some members preferred to watch some sporting gentleman by the name of Harry Kane. (Congratulations to the England team) The reserve is small, and simply laid out, a public footpath leads along a tree lined avenue to the river Bain at the back of the reserve. Historic sand and gravel extraction has left a large lake in the centre of the reserve, several ducks and waterfowl inhabit the lake and there is a bird hide on the shoreline. Returning to the road, there is a path running parallel to the road bounded by a hedge, insects of various types can be found in this area, damselflies, butterflies, and hover-flies are often prolific. Our outing to Kirkby Gravel pits is now scheduled for Wednesday 22nd July. Parking is on the verge by the roadside. Kirkby Gravel pits are fairly close to where I live, and it’s reserve that I often visit, these are some photos from a visit in July last year.
Good morning, All, Last week at the club we had our monthly print competition, Trees and Open. There was a very good entry with a high standard of photography on show. Tony Gaskins was first in the Open and I managed a first in the trees, all the results are on our website and there is also a blog on the evening. This week, Wednesday 1st July, we are having an outing to Kirkby Gravel Pits, if we meet at 6.30 at the reserve, though you can arrive earlier as there are usually dragonflies etc around the entrance. If we walk straight ahead first, then anyone who arrives late can find us. I have struggled to find a map, but you can see the location on the Lincolnshire wildlife Trust website. Kirkby Grave Pits is also a good reserve for birds. Tattershall Road 1 mile south of Kirkby-on-Bain Woodhall Spa Nearest postcode LN10 6YN. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.
A print competition was held last night with the categories of "Trees" as the subject, and "Open". Our judge for the evening was Gail Wrigg from Barton who did an expert job. The first category to be judged was the "Open" with the high standard of prints making the choice of top placement difficult, and Gail held back 9 prints for further evaluation. There were some chuckles from members around one of Richard Hildred's prints of wooden electricity poles titled "In my previous life I used to be one of them" an "in" joke from Richard, which totally baffled Gail. After the break Gail judged the "Trees" category, with 7 prints held back this time for awarding of higher marks, the beautiful colours of some trees, especially the autumnal images contrasting with the stunning monochrome infrared prints from Richard Hildred. It was a great evening, with excellent prints on display, and the website Competition page has been updated with the full results.
Good Morning All Last week we visited the nature reserves at Fir Hill quarry and Muckton wood. I have written a blog report on the evening which is on our website. You can always try something a little different like I did using camera movement. This week, Wednesday 24th June, a print competition will be held, with the categories of "Trees" and "Open" and is to be judged by Gail Wrigg. The following week we have an outing to Kirkby Gravel pits. If you want advice on camera settings etc the outings are the perfect opportunity to ask other members while we all have our cameras. Regards Graham
Each year Louth Photographic Society begins a new project, one photo taken each month on a specific subject, that's 12 photos presented on "Project Night" in January. Last year the subject was "Prime Time" one photo each month taken with the same fixed focal length lens. This year the subject is water, the subject sounds easy enough, and I've completed 5 photos already, but I'm struggling a little with a photo for June. I'm currently on holiday in Corfu, an island surrounded by water which should be easy, but I'm yet to find the "definitive" photo for the project. These are my photos so far this month: Best regards Derek
Good Evening All
Summer is here at last, maybe?
Last night a few of our members had an outing to Old Bolingbroke village. Initially visiting the Lincolnshire Wildlife Reserve of Sow Dale, off Spilsby Hill at the village entrance, I was a little hesitant at first at entering the reserve because of the grazing cattle. When the cattle herd moved up the hill we climbed over the stile and entered the reserve, as we began to take some photos around the reserve though, the herd returned, but seemed quite docile. Later in the evening we moved on to Bolingbroke castle, and took several photos of the castle, fauna, and flora. It was a lovely evening, good to get out with cameras, and socialise with others.
Good Morning All Last week I went to the Lincoln cathedral to see Queen by candlelight, a great night of music and some different lighting in the cathedral. Last week at the club we held our 1 st round of the LPA Battles against Grimsby and Scunthorpe. Members from the two other clubs attended making it a very full room with some excellent photography on show. Scunthorpe won on 255 points, Louth 2 nd with 250 points and Grimsby 3 rd with 245 points. This week there is a 2 nd round LPA Battle at Grantham on Tuesday evening, if any member wants to attend, please contact me for more details. We did decide to have an outing on Wednesday 10th June, I had thought of Donna Nook, but Derek has come up with another idea, Sow Dale and if time permits Bolingbroke Castle both out Horncastle way. Derek is going to see if it's worth visiting Sow Dale and will let us know. Don't forget to send your print titles to Dave Turner. Regards Graham
