Tutorial : Macro Photography By Satpal Singh

-Tutorial- 
Macro Photography

(Here is a tutorial about Macro Photography by Mr. Satpal Singh, a promising wildlife photographer. He is Panasonic Lumix Camera Ambassador and has a number of awards at International level. His photographs have been exhibited and published world-wide.)
Macro Photography is one of the popular and challenging genres of Nature Photography today. This ia all about keen observation, vision and dedication. 
Here are a few points which must be kept in mind while taking macro images:

 1- It is not necessary to have an expensive photography kit.  To start we just need an entry level DSLR with a macro lens.

 2- If budget is an issue, macro photography can be started with any normal lens and a kit of close-up filters & extension tubes.

 3- Monsoon & post monsoon season (before winter) is best time for insect photography.  In this period of time thousands of species of insects complete their life cycle and offer many opportunities to a nature photographer for excellent pictures.  

 4- Morning & evening sun light is always ideal to get colourful, soft, warm & balanced tone images. 

5- A Led light or a dedicated ring flash will be very helpful on cloudy days & when our subject is in shade.

 6- Role of Aperture always plays a vital role in macro photography. (A) We can use a bigger (smaller in number) aperture to get clear & out of focus background. (B) If we are working in a condition where we need good depth of field to get all parts of the subject sharp we should use smaller (bigger number) aperture. 

7- Safe shutter speed:  Subject’s movement & camera shake is a big problem in macro photography. To overcome this problem we have to use a safe/high shutter speed such as 1/ 250 sec. or above.

 8- We can use a reflector to redirect light towards our subject if we need.

9- Focus:  (1) We have to focus at the eyes of our subject. If eyes are not sharp, image is not considered good.  (2) Manual Versus Auto Focus: * Manual focus is often the effective way to get the most important part of an object sharp. As we often click macro objects in dull light, it can be difficult for our camera to auto focus – so we should choose manual option of focusing. * When we click moving objects,  manual focusing  is not possible.  Here auto focusing is only option.

 10- We have to go on the eye level:  In macro work it is strongly recommended to go parallel to your subject. Doing such can totally change the perspective of an image. 

 11- We should avoid dresses of bright colours and wear green, navy, brown & non-alarming colors. Bright colours disturb small creatures.

 12- We have to avoid using perfumes, hair oils and creams that have fragrance. Insects are more sensitive than us.

From the Archive -Learning- "Photographing Silhouettes"

(From the Archive)

-Learning-

Photographing Silhouettes

A silhouette is an image with a darker subject against the light or bright background. Silhouettes have been very popular among the art lovers since long. If clicked properly, Silhouettes attract the viewers very intensively. A silhouette can portray a whole story. With a few points in mind we can photograph such images exclusivity.

1. Strong Subject: Our subject should be powerful. If we aim at a weak subject, our image will not leave impact on viewers’ mind. We should try to choose the subject with interesting shapes and curves. When our subjects are human beings, we have to aim at shooting their profiles in order to capture their feelings and expressions.

2. Story Telling Value: The image should convey some story. A flat image with no message will not be appreciated. 

3. Concentration on Limited Subjects: We have to avoid so many subjects in our image. A mix of various subjects often destroys the image. On the other hand aiming at limited subjects strengthens the photograph. 

4. Proper Light and Situation: The best situation to photograph a silhouette is that of early morning or late evening when the sun/bright sky is behind the subject. Furthermore, shooting the silhouette against the sky with miraculous formations of cloud results into amazing images. While shooting indoor we can place the subject against a door, a window or an arch which is allowing the bright light coming inside from the back. Here a window or an arch works as a good frame.

5. Exposure: Correct exposure plays very important role. We should give exposure according to the brighter background and not according to the subject. This will darken the subject dramatically turning the picture into fantastic piece of art.

6. Focusing: Since a silhouette is the presentation of a subject in unique way, we have to focus the main subject prominently. Not only this, the background also plays important role. In order to get well focused background we have to set the aperture at small size. i.e., at f 22, f 16, f 11 etc.

7. Aesthetic Presentation: A flat silhouette photograph has no meaning. We should always aim at the image that has the potency to attract one at first sight. Here our aesthetic sense works a lot. Some have this sense as a gift of God, while some others develop it with their constant efforts in the field of art and by seeing masterpieces of other artists. An aesthetically perfect image is that which gives a feel of pleasure and peace at first sight.

(Images Courtesy: Mr. Rajeev Kashyap, Mr. Abhijit Dharmadhikari, Mr. Bherulal M Kanoja, Mr. Atul Choubey and Mr. Devendra Sharma)

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

"Learning" : A Simple Ambient Light Portrait

-Learning-

A Simple Ambient Light Portrait

Here is a black and white portrait. Let’s analyze the picture

(By -Rohinton Mehta)

 Pose:

The subject looks comfortable and the head is slightly tilted (as it should be). The eyes are not parallel to the top of the frame. This follows an unwritten guideline that an imaginary line running across the center of the eyes shall not run parallel to the top of the frame. Observe the shoulders, slightly tilted to one side. This too is a      

fundamental point to consider when posing your subject. Hands play an important part in posing. Observe how nicely the fingers are clasped. Check out the distance between the top of the head and the frame – not too much, not too little.

Note: Generally, you place the subject at a slight angle to the camera. In this case the author has taken care that the subject’s head is slightly turned and not directly facing the camera.

Camera Position and Lens:

Generally we align the camera at the subject’s eye level, as done here. A higher camera position would have shown more of his balding head, which could be considered wrong. A lower camera position would have placed more emphasis on his clasped hands.

It is important to use the right focal length for the lens. The choice here is perfect. A wider lens used closer to the subject would have made the hands appear larger, which of course would be wrong, unless you were trying for some special effect. The hands are slightly away from the chin and look perfectly natural.

Lighting:

This is an ambient light portrait (though you could replicate the lighting using just one light in a studio, as mentioned later).

Defused day light is from the right of the camera position and is coming down at around 45 degree to the subject. The angular light has cast a soft shadow of the nose, and has also caused the needed highlighted triangle under the subject’s right eye. A large white reflector was placed on the subject’s right to “fill-in” the shadow side of the face. How close or how far you hold this reflector determines the illumination on the shadow side.

If this was studio set-up:

If this was a studio set-up, you would place the (key) light in a similar fashion. With studio light you have to try and simulate the ambient lighting you see in nature. Since you cannot physically change the position of the sun, you change the position of the subject in relation to the sun. With studio lighting – that is, when using artificial lights, the distance between the key light and the subject is very important. If this light is too close, you could lose the specular quality; if too far, the highlights could diminish. Hence, the correct distance is achieved by trial and error while observing the lighting through camera position. Another point to bear in mind with artificial lighting is to try and use “feathered” lighting; that is, set the light in such a way that the edge of the light is used rather than the central area. This is the preferred method of portrait masters as it provides a better modelling to the face.

 

Printing:

 The idea is to let the viewer’s eyes concentrate on the main part of the subject- the eyes and face. To achieve this, you can use a dark background and use a second light on the background that would separate the subject from the background. Alternately, if you are using only one light, you can darken the corners during printing as done here. This forces the viewer’s eyes to gaze on the subject’s face.

Observe also the subject is wearing white clothes. White tones draw your attention towards them, and so to avoid that, the white clothes have also been toned down (made to look grey) during printing.

Presentation:

The final presentation is as important as whatever else goes into the making of a picture. A thin white stroke, along with a thicker black border not only stops your attention from wandering out of the frame, it also adds a touch of elegance to the final product.

-- Rohinton Mehta

(Technical Editor-Smart Photography)

(Article courtesy: Smart Photography, December-2010)

-Learning- Landscape Photography: My Perception

-Learning-

Landscape Photography: My Perception

Landscape photography is a most beloved subject for the photo artists all through the world. The treasure of stunning landscapes waits for photo lovers in different seasons. Landscape Photography shows spaces within the world, sometimes vast and unending, and some other times limited. A Landscape Photographer in general captures the presence of nature but can also focus on man or man-made features. With a few points in our consideration we can achieve desirable landscapes.

1. Basic Requirements

I.   SLR Camera.

II. One standard zoom (such as, 18-55 mm, 18-70 mm or 18-135 mm).

III. One tele photo zoom (such as 70-200 mm or 70-300 mm). 

IV.   Wide angle Lens (10.5 mm, 14 mm Or 16 mm).

(If SLR camera is not within our capacity, a good quality digital compact or prosumer camera can help us well.)

V.    A firm tripod to prevent camera shake during low light conditions.

VI.   Proper knowledge of equipments with their merits   and limitations.

2. Good knowledge of the chief characters of the particular place:

We should have good knowledge the chief characteristics of a place, like Flora/fauna and important geographical features. We have to aim at portraying the places in their true manner by including these chief characters.

3. Photographing in Early Morning/Late Evening Light:

The natural light of early morning and late evening helps us to get gentle images with vivid colours and fine details. This may be one sided or against the camera (Back Light). Both have their own qualities.

4. Story Telling Value:

If a photograph conveys some story, it is always appreciated.

5. Use of Filters

In order to get the excellent images, we can use at least three filters when we are shooting in colour medium.

I. Polarizing Filter: This filter darkens the sky and consequently brings out the blue colour in contrast to the white colour of the clouds.

II. Neutral Density Filter: Neutral Density Filter prevents excessive amount of light to enter the camera. This Filter is useful during extreme bright days, when our camera is not capable to provide us a slow shutter speed. This helps nicely when the light is hard and we need a slow shutter speed to capture the water stream with flowing effect.

III. Graduated Filters: These filters are half coloured and half plain. The upper coloured portion gradually turns into neutral as our eyes sees down. These filters help adding different colours to the dull sky, leaving the lower portion of image unaffected.

6. Great Depth of Field

 The sense of depth with all the different elements of the scene in focus makes a photograph dynamic. For this purpose we should use a small aperture (32, 22, 16, and 11). We can set the shutter speed of camera accordingly. In low light conditions, the use of small aperture will need a lower shutter speed. In such situation the use of a tripod is always recommended.

7. Including People and Man-made Structures

 Although a landscape is connected to nature, we can include people and beautiful buildings in an image to create interest. A landscape can be balanced by a pretty child, some working people in the fields or an eye-catching structure. But we have to place the human figure or building at an off-center position to create balance.

8. Good Composition

I.  Simplicity: We should try to compose the image in a simple manner. 

II. So many objects are be neglected. We have to concentrate on one or limited objects.

III. Disturbing elements (like, electric poles/wires, discarded items etc.) are to be avoided

IV. Place the human beings or a man made structure (like hut or temple) a little away from the center. This will add balance to the picture.

V.  Tight Composition is to be kept away. Openness in the frame is commendable.

VI. Leading lines play a dramatic role in a   photograph. We can find such lines in the form of roads, rail tracks, rows of the trees, fencings etc. These lines lead our vision into the frame or from one point to another. In addition leading lines boost rhythm in a picture.

VII. Coordination between the subjects is another vital factor of an image. If they do not coordinate with each other, the photograph loses charm.

VIII. The feel of rhythm is an important part of a good photograph. This can be created by balanced arrangement of the subjects.

IX. Including the trees in the frame doubles the beauty of an image. If a scenic place has trees, we should not fail to include them in our picture.

X. Horizon of the scene should be straight.

XI.   There should be freshness of approach in our composition. We have to be original in our presentation. Copying the idea of others is not a commendable practice.

9. Keeping Extra and Fully-Charged Camera-Batteries and Surplus Memory Cards:

This helps out evading disappointment during crisis.

10.  Care of Camera:

As our camera is very important during a trip; we have to take extra care of the camera. A small negligence can harm it.

-Dr. Pankaj Sharma

 

From the Archive………… -Learning- ........ Photographing Architecture

From the Archive.............

-Learning-........

Photographing Architecture

 .....

Similar to other subjects, beautiful buildings (especially historical structures, old religious edifices etc.) offer us good opportunities to get excellent pictures. Various places of our planet are rich in gorgeous architectures. These structures attract a photo artist at first sight and he/she wishes to shoot them at his/her best. A few points can help us representing an attractive architecture brilliantly:

1. Lighting plays a vital role. Sun light of early morning and late evening is ideal for our purpose as this light falls on a subject at low angle and creates long shadows. This adds depth to a structure and on the other hand highlights the dimensions. Moreover this type of light brings out the details of the subject. If falling on the subject from one side, this light helps in producing superior images.

2. Good equipment is an essential factor for our intention. So we should choose a camera with all necessary features. The most important thing is selection of right lens. A normal lens is ideal for our purpose. This helps out in avoiding distortion in our images. Sometimes it becomes difficult to cover a structure from one edge to another due to the lack of space. In such case a wide angle lens is of great use. But a wide angle lens tends to distort the image. This problem can be overcome by not going very close to the subject. A perspective correction lens can also help us avoiding distortion. We can also get rid of the distortion in our image with the help of editing software like Adobe Photoshop.

3. Composition is an imperative aspect in architectural photography. We must always aim at simple and aesthetic composition. Shooting a building straight way is not enough. Our aim should be to make an interesting photograph. We should try to involve the surroundings also in our photograph along with the major subject. Involving trees, plants, human beings, etc. in the frame adds meaning to our photograph.
4. In order to show maximum parts of a building in focus with ultimate depth, we have to use a small aperture (22, 16 or 11).

5. Shooting the whole structure of a building is not necessary in every case. Sometimes a specific part of the building can provide a good image. The presentation depends on our approach. Few buildings are rich in artistic forms. If we shoot these forms aesthetically, we are sure of getting outstanding pictures.

6. Sky has an important role in architectural photography. We should avoid flat and dull sky. Rich blue sky is always ideal and if the sky has patches of clouds too, we are lucky enough to get a decent shot. Flying birds (if we luckily get) in the sky also give strength to our photograph.

 7. Sometimes we can get good images during the night when a particular building is decorated with colourful lights or illuminated well with any source of light. While doing so we should always rest the camera on a sturdy tripod.

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma

 

-Learning- Photographing The Festival of Colours: Holi

-Learning- 
Photographing The Festival of Colours  *Holi*

Holi is a festival of colours and joy. This is full of opportunities for memorable pretty photographs. Every one of us has a keen desire to capture this festival. Here are the points which can help us photographing this occasion:

1. Care of camera and lenses: Since our camera is very important for us, we have to be very careful regarding its safety. While shooting the occasion we should try to hide ourselves at a proper place so that we may save our camera and lenses from spray of colours and water-splashes. The easy way to protect the camera is to cover it with plastic/polythene bags. We don’t have to cover the front portion of the lens with such bag. This part is to be covered with a good quality UV filter and a lens hood.   

2. Care for ourselves: We have to be very conscious while shooting because we are on an assignment. We should keep ourselves at a distance from the carnival. Any colour may harm our eyes. Sunglasses are very friendly for our eyes as they protect them well against a splash or chemical based colour. Nevertheless, we have to be aware of the fact that we can get drenched any time.

3. Selection of proper lens: Selection of proper lens is a key part of our project. Use of a long focal length lens or a telephoto zoom will be an ideal choice for our purpose. (However there is not any set law for selection of lens. This depends on the requirement of the occasion.)

4. Knowledge of Event: Knowing about the event in advance is very important. This helps us capturing the occasion in justified way. Moreover, we should reach at the place in advance.

5. Portraying the occasion in true manner: Our aim should be to capture the festival of colours with true feel. We should take enough photographs and with different angles so that every aspect of the festival may be captured.

6. Play of shutter speed: Selection of appropriate shutter speed plays an important role. If we want to freeze a moment, we should set a high shutter speed (Like 500 or above). On the other hand, the use of a slow shutter speed (like 1/15 sec. or 1/8 sec.) sometimes can result into remarkable images having pretty graphical streaks. Shooting on shutter speed priority mode is advisable on this occasion. By using this mode we can adjust the shutter speed according to our aim. The aperture will be set automatically. However, if we need enough depth in the scene, we can use aperture priority mode with a small aperture. Here the camera will set shutter speed accordingly.

7. Important Instruction: We should keep enough memory cards and extra batteries in order to avoid disappointment.

Photo: Courtesy: Mr. Kailash Mittal, Mr. Dilip Lokre, Mr. T. Srinivasa Reddy, Mr. Akhil Hardia and Mr. Ankur Thatai.
(Note: Above tutorial is purely based on author’s personal experience. This may differ with the views of others)

I wish the readers of our blog a 
*Happy Holi*

--Dr. Pankaj Sharma