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 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
It was the LPA Battles last night, with Louth hosting Scunthorpe, and Grimsby. Diane Seddon was the judge for the evening, and gave excellent critique of all the the prints presented to her from the three clubs. Our club room was packed with our members, and representatives from Scunthorpe, and Grimsby clubs. At the break the points scores appeared fairly evenly matched. However, it was the highest scoring prints that swung the competition in favour of Scunthorpe, their still life prints of "Sunflowers", and "Weights and Measures" scored 20 points each, taking their cumulative score to a winning 255 points. None of Louth's prints achieved 20 points, but ended with a respectable 250 points. Grimsby produced some strong prints, "The Road to Talmont", and "What's Your Name?" received 20 points each, their overall score was 245 points. As Diane Seddon said the submitted print entries were of a very good standard, resulting in a closely matched contest. Congratulations to Scunthorpe for securing the lead in this LPA Battle round contest.
Good Morning All I did go to Chambers wood last week, not too much around but the Marsh Fritillaries are back again in the meadow. We had a good turnout for the meal on Friday, hope you all enjoyed it, thank you to my partner Jane for organising all the food orders. Everything went to plan until the chef dropped the roulade, hopefully your replacement was just as good. This week we have our first round of the LPA Battles against Grimsby and Scunthorpe. The judge for the evening is Diane Seddon. There should be a good turnout for this one with the other two clubs attending. The print competition with the categories of "Trees" and "Open" is to be held on the 24th of June, please email Dave Turner your titles and then bring your prints in on the night. Regards Graham
It’s been a fairly mundane May photography wise for me. I’ve visited Gibraltar Point, Messingham Sand Quarry, and Far Ings nature reserves, and taken some reasonable photos, but nothing really competition quality. The West Lindsey Open Churches Festival has been on for a couple of weekends, and I climbed the bell tower at St Peter, Scotter, had lunch at Kirton in Lindsey, and dropped in on a couple of churches in Caistor. My model photography has taken a back seat, I’ve not had a model shoot all of this month, I’ve had enquiries from a couple of models that I’ve worked with before, but not been able to arrange anything. Instead, I’ve been concentrating on wildlife, landscapes, and insect photography. My OM Systems cameras have been with me every day, the OM-5 is my daily carry, and the OM-1 is my heavy hitter, especially with the OM 100-400mm lens, or the 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro lens. I’m continuing to take images for the “Water” project, that’s one image of water for each month, providing twelve images to show on “Project Night” in January 2027. The May photo is an indoor creative image taken on a wet day. The trees, and horses were taken at Gibraltar Point, the Heron, and swans were at Messingham Sand Quarry.
Good Morning, All, Last week at the club we held our monthly competition, a PDI competition, with the categories of "Landscapes with Water" and "Open", there was a very good entry with a high standard of photography. Congratulations go to Tony Gaskins for 1 st place in the Landscapes with Water and Paul Twomey for 1 st place in the Open. The results are on our website with the winning images. This week there is no meeting on Wednesday as it's our annual meal on the Friday. For those attending it's at the Royal Oak (Splash) Little Cawthorpe, to meet up around 7pm for meal at around 7.30pm. For those doing the water project, it's getting towards the end of the month if you haven't already taken your photograph. Regards Graham
