What is the best way to become a better outdoor photographer?

**Please support PoE by donating today - thank you**

< Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next >

	Forums > Photography Chat > What is the best way to become a better outdoor photographer?
Edward Lever Posts: 734 Joined: 22nd Dec 2005 Location: UK	quotePosted at 08:16 on 6th June 2013 Not many people think of buying second-hand, and there are risks with some second-hand stuff on e-bay, but if you buy from a reputable dealer (eg London Camera Exchange, MIFSUDS etc) you can get good quality second-hand gear at a fair price with a guarantee (six months guarantee from LCE which is plenty of time to find out any problems). I have bought several second-hand camera bodies and lenses from LCE with no problems at all. Unfortunately, there isn't a branch of LCE in Liverpool, the nearest for you Rod being Chester or Manchester, but you can search the second-hand stock on-line. And Chester is always good for a day out! I think I am in danger of going off-topic in this thread and I feel a couple of new topics are germinating, maybe 'Secondhand Camera Gear?' and 'Full-frame Vs. Crop Sensors?' PS I have started these topics as new threads in 'Photography Equipment' Edited by: Edward Lever at:9th June 2013 09:49 My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Rod Burkey Posts: 554 Joined: 2nd Sep 2008 Location: UK	quotePosted at 10:29 on 9th June 2013 Great ideas for new threads. I'm off on holiday soon and Mrs.B will probably be out buying some. Seriously though, we do often visit Chester, a great place to take a camera for a walk and I have bought things from London Camera Exchange there too. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Vince Hawthorn Posts: 12758 Joined: 19th Apr 2010 Location: UK	quotePosted at 21:57 on 9th June 2013 Question... Going back to the idea of a monopod does the same rules apply if using an IS lens? ie does one turn the IS off when using a monopod the same as a tripod or do you leave active as a monopod steadies a camera but is still subject to movement in horizontal planes if not vertical? Answers on a postcard please. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Dave John Posts: 22335 Joined: 27th Feb 2011 Location: England	quotePosted at 22:05 on 9th June 2013 I would suggest, but open to contradiction, that you would leave it on as the monopod is no where as near as stable as a tripod. I always used it years ago when suing long lenses for motorsports etc. Still carry one with me now but dont often use it... My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Rod Burkey Posts: 554 Joined: 2nd Sep 2008 Location: UK	quotePosted at 19:28 on 22nd June 2013 One good tip for landscapes is to include some foreground. This really leads the eye into an image. Using a wide angle lens helps to achieve this coupled with a small aperture. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Edward Lever Posts: 734 Joined: 22nd Dec 2005 Location: UK	quotePosted at 22:34 on 22nd June 2013 Yes, I agree Rod, this is a very good tip. Use of a wide-angle lens without regard to foreground often results in an uninteresting and empty-looking shot, giving the viewer no idea of scale. Including some foreground detail leads the eye into the shot as you rightly say, and the small aperture enables both the foreground and distant details to be recorded sharply. This is the technical bit done, but then I have to make sure that the foreground details complement the rest of the scene, which is often more challenging. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Rod Burkey Posts: 554 Joined: 2nd Sep 2008 Location: UK	quotePosted at 07:28 on 23rd June 2013 Thanks for the follow up Edward. A strong foreground makes the background more strong too. We are by the sea for a couple of weeks and the foreground to a picture including the sea is every bit as vital. My pictures for the next few days will continue to be shot here in Spain so they will not be gracing POE, but come Friday I will be back in our green and peasant land. Green because it rains so much, but pleasant because it is home. The shutter speeds will be longer and the apertures widen but photography is a great pastime. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Dave John Posts: 22335 Joined: 27th Feb 2011 Location: England	quotePosted at 08:40 on 23rd June 2013 Like your last two lines there Rod, just sums this wonderfully varied country up so perfectly!!! But I still have no intention of venturing from it's shores......never done so yet and don't intend to. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Edward Lever Posts: 734 Joined: 22nd Dec 2005 Location: UK	quotePosted at 08:48 on 23rd June 2013 I hope you have a great holiday, Rod. I have only been to Spain a few times in my life, and that was to Madrid, not to the coast. Hopefully you can get some great pics of the richly varied Spanish landscapes, street scenes and architecture as well as the seascapes. THe lush greens of England are not there, but there are plenty of other colours and hues. And as you hint at, there should be little need to set the camera to the higher ISO settings which can be so useful in England. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions
Rod Burkey Posts: 554 Joined: 2nd Sep 2008 Location: UK	quotePosted at 20:04 on 23rd June 2013 Thanks again Edward. The local markets and the people are great subjects. Also, the sunrises are spectacular over this part of the Med. I'm going off topic now so I will close. My favourite: Pictures \| Towns \| Attractions