Thursday, December 22, 2016

Photographing Parks with Perspective

National parks are great places for shooting nature. Even if one keeps going back to the nearest most accessible national park, there are hundreds of photos that can be produced from the same place. The photographer just has to know how to apply different perspectives with the same scenery.

Parks will always draw photographers, and it is best to avoid the cliché by simply shooting at stunning objects as they meet the eye. Find a creative angle at shooting. For example, look for repetitive or symmetrical patterns among lines of trees, flowerbeds, or even street lamps.



Image source: picturecorrect.com


Another technique for composition is to find contrasting colors. A lone parked red bike with dozens of trees with dark green foliage behind it is an example of great color contrast. In winter, black and white photography looks great on nature as dark subjects interrupt the white in the vastness of snow.

Image source: loadedlandscapes.com

The key technique is to select only a few subjects that give an interesting story, instead of shooting at the wealth of things that can be photographed at the park and end up having repetitive and ordinary pictures anyone else could take.

Hi, I'm Keith W. Springer from New York. Although I've retired as an event photographer, I've never given up my passion and I continue to develop my craft in the outdoors. Connect with me on Facebook here.

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Why centering is the top photography mistake you should avoid

Photography is a craft that takes years to master. It is a learning process with many pitfalls. Just like many artistic endeavors, photography has its set of rules. Although the existence of bad photographs is debatable, there is a pretty ultimate consensus when it comes to separating amateur and great photography. There are, of course, a few rules of thumb to follow, but none as more fundamental as the rule on centering

Image source: digital-photo-secrets.com


When horizon lines are placed in the middle of a photograph, it halves the picture in two. This is one of the most, if not the most, common mistake new photographers make. Viewers are sometimes confused by the image, wondering which half they should look at. The subject then becomes a topic of debate in their minds.

One of the first things taught to photography students is the Rule of Thirds, which is a sure-fire way to remedy any problems regarding centering. It states that horizon lines, even subjects should be on a line that divides the image into thirds.

Image source: photographymad.com


This applies to subjects as well. If you’re taking a picture of a person or an object, have them at them vertical “third” lines. If you’re confused which line to use, take two photographs and choose which one brings more out of the subject.

Hello! I’m Keith W. Springer and I am a photographer. For more on my work and photography in general, follow me on Facebook.

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Capturing The Beauty Of Central Park Through The Lens

A visit to Manhattan is never complete without taking a stroll in Central Park, the most visited urban park in the country with tens of millions of visitors yearly and one of the most filmed locations in the world.  Taking photographs in Central Park may not be a walk in the park at first, but these few tips can be a big help to those who want to try it.
  
Shoot portraits

The park is the perfect backdrop for portraits.  And if a photographer does not have a companion to use as a subject, there are plenty other people in the area.  Just remember to give performers or artists a tip and ask permission from parents before taking pictures of their children. 


Image source: telegraph.co.uk

 
Include the NY skyline 

The city skyline provides an excellent backdrop, too.  It provides a photographer the opportunity to practice with the camera’s focus settings.  Also, since Central Park has serene bodies of water, great reflections of the skyline can be taken in various locations.   

Stay late

Open until 1 o’ clock in the morning, the park transforms into a mysterious place during the night.  With enough illumination along the pathways and the passages, it provides another angle of the park for photographers.  


Image source: aponderingmind.org


Obey the rules

Central Park is easily accessible to film productions and photographers, whether professional or amateur.  But to protect the park, along with its visitors, structures, and flora and fauna, these guidelines must be adhered to.  

Hi there, I’m Keith W. Springer.  I used to work as an event photographer, covering events in the socials circles of New York.  Now, I enjoy nature photography, which brings me to different parks in this state and beyond.  If you are looking to discuss photography, connect with me on Google+.






Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Branch out! Industry goes to comedy wildlife photography

Who says that photography can’t be fun?

There is tremendous pressure placed on photographers to achieve that perfect shot. Images and dreams of worldwide fame and countless accolades fill the heads of hundreds of individuals. The task is made even more unbearable by the fact that technology makes it easier. Anyone with a smart phone can now take a beautiful photo; definition and clarity are no longer issues. This has driven competition to the extreme.

Image Source: theverge.com

While competition is healthy to a certain degree, many photographers are seeing a change in how this hobby is viewed. There is a lack of focus on what photography truly means.

What writers do with words, photographers do with pictures. It is an act of telling a story. What differentiates photography from other hobbies is that it is limited in chances. That is, photographers have only one chance to tell a story. It is that one shot. This compels people to perfection but it should never be forgotten that perfection is not something that is achieved immediately. It is a process that takes years of practice. Furthermore, the definition of what is "perfect" in art is a misnomer.

That is why many experts in the industry are pushing for a lighter, more fun mood in photography. Individuals are asked to remove themselves from the competitive world and immerse themselves in photography itself. This stance has created several competitions, such as the comedy wildlife photography contest. Photographers are asked to hone their skills in nature photography and show the funnier side of the animal world.

Image Source: petslady.com

These genres are slowly gaining traction; viewers are appreciating the easy feel of the pictures. That being said, this is still a relatively small market. It is hoped that this will grow in popularity.

Being retired does not mean I’ve given up on what I love. I am Keith W Springer and I am a photographer. Learn more by liking this Facebook page.