Tag: landscape

How I Got The Shot

I was asked how I took this photo:

Young Birch trees by Shirley LeClair
Young Birch Trees by Shirley LeClair

which I submitted to the September “Breakin All the Rules” challenge and was shown at the October 5th meeting.

Here are the instructions that will get someone started in panning trees (or other vertical subjects). The head movement is the key. As you can see white birch trees make a nice image however I have done dark trunks against a blue sky and it was awesome.

  • TV Mode with shutter speed 1/20 -1/30
  • ISO 200-400
  • Autofocus
  • Adjust tone by overexposing by 1+

If shooting in MANUAL MODE then set your speed then aperture according to meter
The above settings are a starting point. You may have to make adjustments to suit the lighting.
Now the technique to shoot !!
Compose your shot then, while camera is still next to your eye, START moving your head up and down. Using a count of 10 this is how it goes:

Compose……Move your head up and down 1-2-3-4-Press shutter button—6-7-8-9-10.

Do not stop head movement to click the camera on 5 . It is a nodding head movement all the way through the count of 10.

Move 1-2-3-4 ”CLICK” 6-7-8-9-10.

Ask Anne Jones or Marg Jackman to demonstrate.

Have fun with it .

Shirley LeClair

Tips For Photographers To Best Capture Fall Colours

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAs the leaves and plants change in Fall, we are brought a panorama of colours and beauty to the delight of us all. For photographers who love to capture nature at its best, we try and judge when this foliage change is at the peak of beauty.  We then scan weather reports and try and match good weather reports and sun lighting dates with this foliage change.  Once complete we then have a date to go to a favourite location for our photo shoot.

While weather reports are easily come by, finding the peak colour period is not as easy.  Fortunately for us some kind folks have created an online app which will help.  This app tracks and reports colour changes in various locations.  According to the maker “This guide will help you plan your Fall foliage viewing, and you can also check out this guide to the top 10 fall colour destinations in Canada.”  You can find this app here.

In addition to being at the right place at the right time the challenge then is to use your artistic and technical skills to capture great photos.  The Internet offers many good articles on tips photographers can use to help them get those “Wow” shots.  I use Olympus equipment and follow their — most often generic — photography tips.  The following link, from the Olympus Learning Centre – tips, to their Fall foliage tips, I rather like, and you may find useful.

Hope you have a great Fall and some successful shoots.

Frank Knor

10th Annual Geoheritage Day

Ottawa Sand Dune

The 10th annual Geoheritage Day will take place on Saturday, September 29 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at The Pinhey Sand Dunes. To get there, drive south on Woodroffe Avenue, and turn left two blocks south of the Nepean Sportsplex onto Pineland Avenue. Park on the south shoulder beside the signed entry gate near the end of the road (T-junction with Vaan Drive).

You will have the chance to learn how geological processes have shaped the regional landscape, given us a glimpse into past environments and life forms and provided resources for our use.

Volunteers from Carleton University’s Department of Earth Sciences and the Ottawa-Gatineau Geoheritage Project will be on hand to explain what there is to see and how each site fits into the local geological history. The Pinhey Sand Dunes will be on the program.

For more information, please contact Joanne Hakkaku at the Biodiversity Conservancy:

hakkakuj@biodiversityconservancy.org

613-825-5492

 

Landscape Photography & Composition Tips

Here are some videos I chose with tips on landscape photography and composition:

 Phil Tughan