A Step-By-Step Guide for Killer Sunrise Photos

Ask any landscape photographer, and they’ll tell you that some of the most dramatic scenes they’ve ever photographed have occurred at sunrise.

But simply getting up early and being ready to go with your camera setup when the sun peeks over the horizon isn’t good enough to capitalize on some of the best light of the day.

Instead, you need to be able to predict the sun’s angles and determine how those angles change the quality of the light.

That means that you need to be as prepared as possible in advance and know how the sun will act and how its behavior will influence how the landscape is revealed. Learn more about landscape photography on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

The question is, how does one do that? The answer is simple – your phone!

Step 1: Get a Weather Update

If you think that a clear morning is ideal for sunrise scenery photography, you’d be wrong.

Instead, you want a mix of sun and clouds, that way you can take advantage of the morning’s soft, golden rays bouncing off the clouds. Doing so allows you to create an image with much more visual impact because of the abundance of colors in the sky.

So, when you’re planning your sunrise shoot, consult a weather app like Accuweather (free on the App Store and Google Play) to see which morning has the best chance for some clouds.

Step 2: Find the Best Shoot Location

Once you have the weather figured out, the next step is to identify the best spot from which to take your sunrise photos.

When looking for a place to setup, bear a few things in mind:

• Ensure it’s elevated – like a hill – so that you have a clear view of the landscape.
• Be sure there are interesting elements in the scene that you can highlight. Mountain peaks, trees, rolling hills, leading lines, and so forth are all great subject matter.
• Consider how the sun’s rays fall across the landscape. For example, sidelighting will create long, gorgeous shadows that give the shot tons of depth. To do so, you can use a couple of different mobile phone apps, like the Photographer’s Ephemeris or PhotoPills.

I also like to use Google Maps to do a little reconnaissance before I head out. That way I can get the lay of the land from a satellite view and also plan my route to get to my chosen spot.

Step 3: Get Familiar With the Sun’s Behavior

Of course, the key to a great sunrise photo is the sun, so you’ll need to get familiar with its behavior before you actually head out and start taking photos.

As noted above, PhotoPills is a great tool for familiarizing yourself with the sun’s movements.

To chart how the sun will move across your chosen shoot location, it’s a simple matter of completing a few steps:

• Use the Planner tool in PhotoPills to set a date range for your photo shoot. By selecting an azimuth, the app will show you all the angles of the sun that occur at that location at different points in your date range.
• Next, set the elevation. PhotoPills will offer a display that shows which elevations allow you to catch the sunrise during your date range. Conversely, you can enter a sunrise angle (i.e., 0-degrees) and PhotoPills will tell you the times of year during which that specific angle can be viewed.

I’ve used PhotoPills for awhile now, and the best advice I can give is to get familiar with it by simply playing around. Learn its features so you can utilize them to your advantage!

Step 4: Work Out the Composition

The next step in the process is to utilize the information you’ve gathered in the first two steps to compose the most dramatic sunrise image.

At least to begin, handhold your camera so you can experiment with the direction you shoot as well as the height. This allows you to do a little experimentation with your framing so you can identify the most pleasing shot.

Remember, include a strong subject in the shot that commands the viewer’s attention, striving to identify the best lighting in the scene.

Also include foreground elements to invite the viewer into the shot. Rocks, plants, a road or a fence, and other such elements are great for foreground interest.

A way to make this process easier is to turn to your phone apps, specifically PhotoPills, to help you figure out where the sun will be in relation to the landscape.

You can use the augmented reality mode in PhotoPills to check the position of the sun and the precise times at which it will be in certain places in the sky.

PhotoPills even tells you the times of the sunrise and sunset, moonrise, and the phases of the moon, helps you determine the right exposure photo setting when using filters, and even has a hyperfocal distance calculator as well.

In other words, it’s ideally suited for helping you plan and execute perfectly composed shots of the sunrise!

Final Thoughts

Capturing a gorgeous sunrise landscape certainly requires a lot of steps.

You have to plan the shoot from A-Z to give yourself the best chance of getting the best shot. 

You also have to pay close attention to how you compose the image so that you include elements that give the photo the most visual appeal. 

Of course, there’s a lot of other steps involved, which you can learn about in the video above by Jason Lanier.

Follow along as he gets setup, composes and frames the shot, and works to get the perfect image. 

This blog post about the topic “A Step-By-Step Guide for Killer Sunrise Photos” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/landscape-photography/7860-a-step-by-step-guide-for-killer-sunrise-photos

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2021/01/a-step-by-step-guide-for-killer-sunrise.html

Why Your Landscape Photos Are No Good (and What to Do About It)

While some people believe that landscape photography is easy, good landscape photography is anything but.

It’s much more than getting out of the car, pointing your camera at something pretty, and pressing the shutter button.

In fact, there’s a million different ways that a landscape photo can go wrong.

If you find that your images are boring, uninspiring, or just otherwise not all that impressive, you might be making one of these crucial landscape photography mistakes.

Landscape Photography Mistake #1: No Focal Point

Image Credit: bluejayphoto via iStock

One of the most common mistakes people make when taking a photo of a landscape is not having a strong focal point to grab the viewer’s attention.

This usually happens because in real life, the scene is so striking as a whole that we assume the scene will be equally as striking in an image. That’s not always the case.

The image above, for example, has many great qualities about it. I would even say that it’s a good photo. It would be better with a strong focal point, though.

Image Credit: boule13 via iStock

One solution to this issue is to use leading lines as a means of directing the viewer to a specific area of the photo.

In this example, the pathway leads us directly to the sunset, which helps define it as the focal point of the image.

What’s more, the pathway acts as a means of restricting our view a little bit – rather than the scene seeming so wide and featureless, our eyes immediately have a place to go and the image makes more visual sense. Learn more about landscape photography tips on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

Something as simple as adding leading lines can make all the difference in the world when trying to establish a feature in your image as the focal point of the shot.

Landscape Photography Mistake #2: Lack of Depth

Image Credit: Daniel_Kay via iStock

Another mistake that landscape photographers often commit is not having enough depth in their photos.

By that, I’m not talking about depth of field, rather, I’m talking about incorporating elements into the foreground that provide some clues as to the dimensionality of the scene in the shot.

This is difficult, given that a photograph is a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional space.

However, there’s an easy trick to add depth to your landscape images.

Image Credit: Oleh_Slobodeniuk via iStock

All you have to do is take up a lower shooting position and incorporate something in the foreground.

By dropping down to ground level, you’re more able to highlight elements like rocks or plants that can provide depth and layers to the shot.

In comparing the two example images above, you can see how the eye-level perspective of the first one all but eliminates the visual interest in the foreground.

But in the second example, the lower angle brings in the additional layer of the plants in the foreground that give us a little more context regarding the distance of the lake, the treeline, and the mountains beyond.

Learn More: 

• Best Camera for Landscape Photography

Landscape Photography Mistake #3: Not Taking Your Skills to the Next Level

Photo by Kal Loftus on Unsplash

Getting complacent with photography is a surefire way to produce images that aren’t all that compelling…

Sure, you might have good skills now that result in more nice-looking images than not, but there is always something to learn that can elevate your images even more. That’s true whether you’re a brand-new photographer or a seasoned pro.

Naturally, the way to rectify this mistake is to commit yourself to constantly learning new skills.

From camera tricks to compositional ideas to post-processing hacks and everything in between, there are loads of ways that you can enhance your ability to create a better image.

Photo by Nicola Nuttall on Unsplash

And as great as free learning tools (like this!) can be for your development, there’s something to be said about the value of taking part in a photography workshop.

I know that “workshop” conjures up notions of sitting in a classroom listening to a boring lecture about photography. That’s not what I’m talking about.

Instead, a photography adventure in which you get to explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world sounds like a much better learning experience, don’t you think?

Companies like ApertureXplorer specialize in taking small groups of photographers to off-the-beaten-path locations for field-based learning that you simply cannot beat.

Photo by Fredrick Kearney Jr on Unsplash 

Given that the groups are so small – sometimes just three or four people – you’re guaranteed a good amount of one-on-one time with the expedition leader.

Not only that, but the small groups facilitate camaraderie between you and the other participants and gives you a chance to learn even more about photography from the other people on the trip.

There’s no planning on your part, either (apart from getting yourself to the destination, of course). Once you’re there though, it’s a simple matter of going along for the ride and learning new skills as you explore iconic locations like Iceland, the American Southwest, and points in between.

It’s a mistake to settle for images that are “good enough.” Instead, strive to always be better! Using these tips, you can do just that.

This article about “Why Your Landscape Photos Are No Good (and What to Do About It)” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/landscape-photography/9022-why-your-landscape-photos-are-no-good-and-what-to-do-about-it

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2021/01/why-your-landscape-photos-are-no-good.html

Learn How to Photograph Fall Foliage

It’s that time of year (in the northern hemisphere, anyway) when the leaves start to turn. That means there are ample opportunities to photograph incredible fall colors.

But getting the best results requires more than simply pointing your camera at some pretty leaves and pressing the shutter button.

Instead, there are considerations to be made for camera settings, composition, and subject matter.

In this tutorial on photographing fall foliage, you’ll learn valuable techniques that will help you master the art of creating beautiful images of fall landscapes. Learn more about landscape photography on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

Let’s get started!

Camera Settings for Fall Foliage

Image Credit: Ron_Thomas via iStock 

Naturally, the specific camera settings you use will be dependent upon the specific conditions in which you’re shooting.

However, there are a few settings that you can pre-determine no matter what the weather, lighting, or the scene you’re photographing.

Exposure Mode

Image Credit: TomasSereda via iStock

In many situations, shooting in aperture priority mode will get you the best results.

Aperture priority mode gives you control over the camera’s aperture and ISO, while the camera retains control over the shutter speed in order to get a good exposure.

One of the factors that determines depth of field is aperture, so manipulating the aperture value while shooting in aperture priority mode allows you to determine how much of the scene is in focus.

Traditionally, a large depth of field is preferable for landscape photos, and so a mid-range aperture like f/8 or f/11 is often a good place to start.

But don’t discount the value of taking a close-up of a nice detail – a single leaf, perhaps – and blurring the background by using a much larger aperture, like f/2.

Either way, in aperture priority mode, you can set the aperture and not worry about the shutter speed which makes it a little easier to get good exposures.

Bonus Tip: If you want to create an image with motion blur, such as blurring the movement of water, shoot in shutter priority mode.

White Balance

Image Credit: freebilly via iStock 

When shooting fall foliage, you want to retain all of the beautiful colors of the leaves, so choosing the correct white balance is critical.

If, for example, you’re shooting during golden hour, often the best white balance setting is Daylight.

The Daylight mode will protect the beautiful golden tones of the light while also protecting the warm glow of the landscape, including the leaves.

If you’re shooting at other times of day, it’s best to experiment with different white balance settings to determine which one is best for that specific situation.

You can always tweak the white balance in post-processing, so don’t worry too much about making a mistake!

Exposure Levels

Image Credit: Juergen Sack via iStock

To bring out the tones of the various colors of leaves and give them a little more color depth, err on the side of underexposure.

You can underexpose the image in a number of ways, including changing the aperture, shutter speed, and/or ISO.

However, the easiest way to underexpose your fall foliage images is to utilize your camera’s exposure compensation feature.

Many cameras have a dedicated exposure compensation button (+/-) that make it simple to dial in underexposure.

Just press the minus button to dial in negative exposure compensation of -0.5EV or perhaps -1EV and watch the tones in the shot become deeper and richer.

Composition Techniques for Fall Foliage Photography

Image Credit: Ron_Thomas via iStock

In many cases, when you look at images of fall colors, they look like the one above – a wide view of an autumn that gives viewers an eyeful of color.

And while there is nothing wrong with these wide-angle views, it’s a mistake to discount alternative types of compositions.

Here are a couple of my favorite unique fall color compositions:

Look Straight Up

Image Credit: borchee via iStock

A great way to alter the perspective of your fall foliage images is to shoot straight upward.

Doing so offers a much different view than is typical, which makes it immediately more eye-catching.

But this technique also emphasizes the height of the trees, which can often feel more grand in the shot.

Besides, with a deep, rich, blue sky as the background, you can frame up a shot with some truly beautiful contrast between the sky and the leaves!

Isolate a Subject

Image Credit: georgeclerk via iStock

Another favorite composition I like to use for fall color photography is to isolate a small subject in the frame.

You can focus on a single branch of a tree, a single leaf or a group of leaves, or even leaves that have already fallen on the ground.

No matter what the subject is, find ways to help it stand out in the image. You can do that by using a large aperture to narrow the depth of field or perhaps altering your perspective such that the subject and the background have nice contrast of color or light.

Isolating a subject in this manner is easiest with a longer focal length lens, but if you don’t have a long lens at your disposal, simply zoom with your feet, get close to the subject, and fill the frame with it. The results can be quite incredible, like Peter Lik’s breathtaking shot of fall color reflections that sold for a cool $1 million.

Subjects for Fall Foliage Photos

Image Credit: DenisTangneyJr via iStock

Obviously, your fall colors photos will need to have a healthy dose of trees in them. But images of nothing but trees – even if they are covered in gorgeously colored leaves – can be a bit on the boring side.

Instead, try to complement the colors of the leaves with another strong subject in the shot.

In the image above, the covered bridge certainly serves that purpose. The red color of the roof works nicely with the autumn colors in the shot while the linear structure of the bridge is an interesting visual addition to the photo.

Image Credit: Orchidpoet via iStock

Waterfalls are another prime target for fall photography, especially if you slow the shutter down to blur the movement of the water.

The combination of the dreamy, blurry water and brightly colored leaves covering the ground can be breathtaking.

Image Credit: Leonardo Patrizi via iStock

Heck, even adding people to your landscape photos of fall colors can have a positive impact on the overall look and feel of the image.

As you can see above, the addition of people to the shot gives our eyes a place to start inspecting the photo. What’s more, when we see people in a photo like this, it’s easier for us to imagine ourselves in that place enjoying the beauty of fall.

Final Thoughts

Many photographers can’t wait for fall to arrive because of the wealth of opportunities there are to capture incredible photos.

By using the tips outlined here, you will be in a better position to get more impactful photos, and more of them as well.

Before you get started on your fall foliage photography adventure, check out the video above by Nigel Danson.

Nigel offers excellent tips for planning and preparing for an autumn color photo shoot. Your success is often determined by how you plan, so it’s well worth a few minutes to learn how to get ready to photograph fall colors!

This blog post about the topic “Learn How to Photograph Fall Foliage” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/landscape-photography/8936-learn-how-to-photograph-fall-foliage

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2021/01/learn-how-to-photograph-fall-foliage.html

When to Use (and Not to Use) a Polarizer

Polarizer

Read just about any photography tutorial having to do with polarizer filters, and you’ll be told that they are an essential piece of gear, particularly for landscape photographers.

There are a number of reasons for that, which I’ll outline in just a moment.

But there are also situations in which you shouldn’t use a polarizer, and understanding when not to use one is just about as important as knowing when to use one.

Let’s take a look at a few scenarios to help you get a better understanding of how to get the most out of your polarizer.

When to Use a Polarizer Filter?

The beauty of polarizers is that they solve all sorts of problems with outdoor photography…

To Cut Down Glare

If there’s water in the scene, a polarizer will minimize the glare from the sun off the surface of the water.

Not only does this improve the look and feel of the image by not having a bright glare to distract the eye, but if the water is shallow, a polarizer allows you to actually see into the water.

That’s an obvious benefit regardless, but especially if you’re using water as foreground interest because the viewer will be able to see what lurks beneath the water’s surface.

Additionally, polarizers eliminate reflections off of wet surfaces you might encounter in a landscape, like rocks or leaves along a body of water.

That means you get deeper, more saturated colors, again without the distraction of the sun’s glare.

To Use Slower Shutter Speeds

What some photographers don’t know is that a polarizer will actually let you use a slower shutter speed than usual.

Now, a polarizer certainly isn’t going to give you the same light-stopping power as a neutral density filter will…

But you can get a couple more clicks of shutter speed to get those gorgeous, milky water effects like you see in the image above. 

To Make Clouds Pop

I know I’ve encountered my fair share of gorgeous landscapes that were unfortunately under a bright sky with little definition and color.

But a polarizer helps rectify that problem…

Not only does a polarizer add definition to bright clouds, but it also helps deepen the blue color of the sky.

That’s because a polarizer also helps minimize haze which is all too common – be it from smog, smoke from forest fires, fog, or a temperature inversion.

As a result, a polarizer is helpful for making the sky an asset in your landscape photos, rather than being the low spot of the shot due to lack of color and definition.

When NOT to Use a Polarizer

So now that you understand the benefits of using a polarizer for landscape photography, it’s time to consider when using a polarizer is actually not such a good idea.

When You Want a Highlight Wet Surfaces

Sometimes, eliminating the glare of wetness on landscape elements is actually detrimental to the shot.

After all, that wetness can add just a touch of soft reflection that gives the image a bit more depth and interest to the photo. Likewise, sometimes you might not want to see through water and instead use it to reflect the scene, as is the case in the image above.

The key here is to pick and choose when to remove the polarizer…

If you find that the reflections are too intense or distracting, use the polarizer. If they are subtle and soft, think about continuing to shoot without a polarizer.

Low Light Situations

As noted earlier, polarizers reduce the amount of light entering your lens, so naturally, if you’re shooting in dim lighting, a polarizer isn’t going to get you the results you want.

Heavily forested scenes, canyons, or shooting at dusk are situations that immediately come to mind in which you should go without the polarizer.

Likewise, if you’re out at night shooting things like the night sky, a polarizer won’t do you any favors.

For example, if you’re photographing the moon, having a polarizer will only force your camera to use a longer shutter speed or a higher ISO. Instead, remove the polarizer and speed up the shutter to avoid star trails (or extend the shutter to get star trails) and minimize the ISO to minimize digital noise in the shot.

When Light Has Intense Color

When there is a lot of color going on, such as at sunset, removing the polarizer from your lens can actually help your shot.

This is because that color will be reflected off of any wet surfaces in the image.

So, if you’re shooting a sunset at a beach, going without a polarizer will allow you to incorporate the gorgeous, color-filled reflected light off of any rocks protruding from the water. What’s more, near sunset when the light is a nice golden color as seen above, going without a polarizer helps you highlight that color.

That, in turn, helps make for a more dramatic image with more color and light in the photo.

When Photographing Rainbows

Even though a rainbow isn’t just reflected light (it’s also due to refraction and dispersion of light), a polarizer will still minimize its appearance in your photos.

That means that if you’re shooting a scene with a rainbow, remove your polarizer and shoot without.

You’ll find that the rainbow is far more intense and vibrant without it!

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are plenty of situations in which a polarizer shouldn’t be used.

Of course, there are plenty of situations in which having a polarizer is critical, too.

Even though you shouldn’t use a polarizer all the time, it’s still an incredibly valuable tool to have at your disposal, especially for landscape photography.

Of course, like most photography gear, you don’t want to outfit yourself with something cheap. Instead, you want a high-quality polarizer filter that helps you produce excellent images while offering you years of durable service as well.

That sort of quality is found in the circular polarizing filter by Formatt-Hitech pictured above.

With a Firecrest anti-reflective multicoating, these polarizing filters ensure that your photos have the highest level of contrast and color fidelity.

Better still, these polarizers come in a SuperSlim or UltraSlim rotating polarizer ring, so they don’t get in the way of the shot or cause vignetting.

With sizing options for 39-127mm lenses, these polarizing filters are compatible with a wide variety of gear too.

And best of all, you get a solid polarizing filter without spending an arm and a leg! What’s not to like about that?

This blog post about the topic “When to Use (and Not to Use) a Polarizer” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/landscape-photography/7582-when-to-use-and-not-to-use-a-polarizer

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2021/01/when-to-use-and-not-to-use-polarizer.html

These Shocking Photos Show How Far Drone Photography Has Come

The International Drone Photography Contest released its’ winners for 2018, and they will make you want to jump on a plane.

Dronestagr.am, the hosts of the contest, received thousands of entries, “despite the regulations and constraints that increasingly weigh on recreational drones,” according to the founder, Eric Dupin. 

Photo by Zekedrone via Dronestragr.am

It’s no shock, then, that 2 of the 3 winners of the contest were shot in developing countries where drones are not as heavily regulated quite yet.

The winner of the contest features a herd of hippos taking a mud bath. 

However, the second place winner is even more impressive (if I do say so myself).

Photo by Trung Pham via Dronestagr.am

This photo features a fisherman’s net in Vietnam, though it may take you a moment to realize it.

For the third place winner, you may need to stare incredibly hard at your screen, but it features 2 people, 2 dogs and 4 shadows.

Photo by Qliebin via Dronestagr.am

Personally, I’d also like to display some honorable mentions because this contest is just too cool.

Photo by JGalamba via Dronestagr.am

This photo was shot off of an island I’ve never heard of outside of Indonesia. The photographer, extremely eloquently, described the photo as, “where there are fish, there are fishermen.”

Photo by Trung Pham via Dronestagr.am

What I’m getting from this is that we all need to take a collective trip to Vietnam. This photo features Vietnamese lobster farms. 

 

Photo by LukeMaximoBell via Dronestagr.am

Luke shot this off the coast of the tip of Africa. It’s a baby whale swimming with its’ mom.

Photo by Maksim Tarasov via Dronestagr.am

Who doesn’t love a classic shot of mountain ranges in Iceland? This one features gorgeous sun rays.

Finally, what is a photography contest without some charitable cause? 

Photo by Florian Ledoux via Dronestagr.am

This photo is an attempt to draw attention to climate change, and what the photographer calls the first refugees of it… polar bears. They require ice to mate, to feed and to rest, and it’s rapidly declining. 

Via Dronestagr.am

This blog post about “These Shocking Photos Show How Far Drone Photography Has Come” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/9159-these-shocking-photos-show-how-far-drone-photography-has-come

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/these-shocking-photos-show-how-far.html

TIME Magazine Used Nearly 1,000 Drones to Create Their Latest Cover

I don’t think that there’s any denying that we live in the drone age.

Just ask TIME, whose latest cover is dedicated to that very subject.

From our point of view as photographers, drones have opened up new worlds of possibilities by allowing us to take our cameras to the skies.

But the TIME feature is much more than a retrospective on how drones have changed the world of photography. 

YouTube Screenshot/TIME

Instead, it’s an examination of how drones have impacted the very fabric of our culture, from the use of drones in war to the use of drones to protect endangered species and just about everything in between.

The report is an interesting read, for sure, and makes you realize just how rapidly drones have become such a ubiquitous part of our lives.

But perhaps the most impressive thing about the TIME feature is the cover of the June 11, 2018 edition.

YouTube Screenshot/TIME

Using 958 drones, the Intel Drone Light Show team recreated the magazine’s red logo and red border. The display – one of the largest drone shows in American history – measured a whopping 100 meters tall.

Considering that the flight ceiling for the drones was 400 feet, there wasn’t a lot of room left over once the 100 meter (approximately 328 feet) display was live.

The display, which was created in partnership with Astraeus Aerial Cinema Systems, was created in the skies above Folsom, California, where an Intel campus resides.

In the behind-the-scenes video above, you can see how the impressive drone swarm was filmed with a cinema camera mounted on a drone flown by the Astraeus team.

What I found so astonishing is that each of the 968 drones had just 1.5 meters between it and its neighbor. A strong gust of wind could have easily pushed one drone into another, creating catastrophe.

YouTube Screenshot/TIME

The still photo that adorns the June 1 issue of TIME is a single frame that was extracted from the Astraeus footage, and is the first TIME cover photo to be taken via drone.

Clearly, this is part publicity stunt to sell more magazines…

But it also demonstrates how far drone technology has come and how much this technology has shaped our world – and will continue to do so in the future.

Via PetaPixel and TIME

This article about “TIME Magazine Used Nearly 1,000 Drones to Create Their Latest Cover” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8574-time-magazine-used-nearly-1-000-drones-to-create-their-latest-cover

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/time-magazine-used-nearly-1000-drones.html

Drone Pilot Breaks the Law to Get Dangerously Up-Close Footage of Blue Angels

You may or may not have noticed that as of late, military flyovers are happening all over the country as a way to say thank you to all the first-line workers that are fighting the pandemic.

As a veteran and a pilot, I find these flyovers to be an incredible sight, particularly when they involve the highly-trained Blue Angels.

Earlier this week, folks in Detroit got to see the Blue Angels in action during the America Strong flyover in their city.

 In the days since, a video has been circulating online showing footage from a drone that is astonishingly close to the formation of F/A-18 jets. 

This screenshot shows how dangerously close a drone got to a Blue Angels flyover in Detroit on May 12, 2020.

Since most consumer-grade drones have wide-angle lenses, this isn’t a case of being far away and zooming in. Even the Mavic 2 Zoom couldn’t capture footage this up-close unless it was too up close.

As you can see in the video (which is a repost by another person, so don’t get mad at them for shooting the video), the drone captures several flybys, the last of which makes you gasp it’s so close to the jets.

The original video allegedly belongs to Giovanni Lucia (@giolucia), whose Instagram and Facebook accounts have since been taken down.

While this is certainly an “innocent until proven guilty” situation, both Fstoppers and The Aviationist were able to find old social media posts of questionable drone footage of the Detroit area from the same handle. One post from February of 2017 even includes the caption, “might of broken a couple of FAA regulations today.”

No charges have been filed, but The Aviationist reports that the Blue Angels and the FAA are aware of the video.

This isn’t the first time that a drone has gotten dangerously close to an aircraft, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. My question is, when will drone operators like this person finally get it that what they’re doing could lead to a major incident and even death?

 This article about the topic “Drone Pilot Breaks the Law to Get Dangerously Up-Close Footage of Blue Angels” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/drone-pilot-breaks-the-law-to-get-dangerously-up-close-footage-of-blue-angels

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/drone-pilot-breaks-law-to-get.html

Introduction to Drone Photography

If you are interested in drone photography, you are not alone. It is one of the hottest things to do right now in all of digital photography. 

Questions naturally come up. What do I need to know about drone photography? Is it safe to fly a drone for photography? What can help me get the best out of drone photography? 

In this introduction to drone photography, we will answer these questions and give you some drone photography tips. 

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Getting Started: Pick a Drone

 photo by zsv3207 via iStock

You’ve done your research, you know what you want to do with drone photography gear. Now you choose your drone based on how its features and capabilities match up with those needs and wants. You also have decided how much to spend, so let’s assume you already have your new drone.

Perhaps you now have a drone capable of professional quality photography and videography like the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. This drone has forgiving flight characteristics with several shooting modes, great battery life of over 30 minutes, and excellent image and video quality.  

It is equipped with a Hasselblad camera and lens incorporating a 1-inch type sensor of 20MP. The lens is equivalent to 28mm in full frame format, focuses as close as 1 meter, and has an aperture range from f/2.9 to f/11.0. 

With a drone like this, you can create beautiful examples of photography and video. Its top speed is almost 50mph and you can control it from almost 5 miles away as well

Recommended Drone Photoghraphy Books:

• Drone Photography Basics: Your Guide to the Camera in the Sky
• Drone Photography Explored: Beautiful Drone Photography

Protect Your Drone

Your drone photography gear requires protection, and one of the better things you can get to achieve this end is a drone photography bag. I can’t tell you how many times I see an eager new drone photographer bring their drone to locations in the box it came in. 

You have a bag for your DSLR or mirrorless camera and lenses. So, why keep your drone in a box that will wear out and is inconvenient to use?

One of the best bags I’ve found for drone photography is the Freelance™ Drone Edition tactical sling-pack from Hazard 4®.

Hazard 4® bags are designed for extreme use while offering excellent protection. Their bags and accessories are perfect for outdoor photographers and videographers. Being outdoors in nature or in urban settings exposes your valuable camera gear to hazards, so you want a protective bag that is also convenient to use.

The Freelance™ Drone Edition tactical sling-pack is specifically designed internally for drone use. The dividers are custom sized and it has multiple features to make life easier for active drone photographers.

This particular bag is designed to hold the DJI Mavic pro and other similar-sized folding drones.

When you get out into the field, the bag easily rotates from your back to your chest so you can quickly access your drone and other gear without taking the bag off.

 

The dividers inside the bag are movable so you can customize the carrying experience depending on the needs for each specific outing. There are three large pockets, one of which has an admin area, and another with a protective shell for items like batteries. 

The strap has a molle covering with a locking buckle for security while the thermoformed back panels gives you comfort and dryness all day long. 

In other words, this pack is purpose-built for long, rugged days outside with your drone!

Of course, sometimes you need a larger bag to accommodate more gear, and for that, I personally use the Hazard 4® PillboxTM.

As you can see in the photos above and below, this bag can accommodate a ton of gear – I have two drones, my camera with a lens attached, multiple batteries, and a drone remote with plenty of space to spare.

The large clamshell opening is just the start of the thoughtful design of this bag.

The ergonomics are superb and offer you a supremely comfortable carrying experience, even when the bag is loaded for bear, as mine was.

The 1000 D Cordura® fabric, YKK zippers, and patented hardware give this bag all the durability you need with a futuristic design that looks incredible.

The versatility of this bag is off the charts as well.

In addition to all the gear I had in the bag for my day trip out with my drones, I could have also brought along a laptop, a tablet, clothes, a first aid kid, food, water, and more!

The interior space is well organized to keep all that gear neat and tidy while the admin organizer keeps SD cards, pens, tools, and other small items organized.

I live in Southern California, so there can be some extremely hot days. This bag is ideal for hot weather drone photography because it has a molded back-pad and removable belt that are aerated to ventilate sweat.

What’s more, they’re both abrasion-resistant and the back-pad conforms to your spine so you can be out and about with your gear in complete comfort.

This bag is simply well thought out, beautifully designed, rugged as a tank, and is functional as the day is long.

If you’re serious about drone photography, investing in a camera bag like the Hazard 4® PillboxTM is a no-brainer!

Drone Photography is Photography First

Photo by Leonard von Bibra on Unsplash 

A drone with a camera for still images or videos is an amazing tool and can be quite fun to use. Once you get past the inevitable initial thrill of flying over everything in sight, you settle down to making good pictures and videos with your drone 

The same rules (guidelines, actually) of composition, exposure, and other techniques of excellent photography and videography also apply to images and video captured with a drone.

Use the rule of thirds to compose balanced shots. Shoot at golden hour to take advantage of the soft, warm light, as shown above. You know the drill!

If an image wouldn’t fly (excuse the pun…) when you tried taking it with your regular camera at ground level, taking it with a drone won’t magically fix whatever the issue was. Simply taking the shot or footage from an overhead perspective usually isn’t enough.

Photo by Dennis Ottink on Unsplash 

Some of the best drone imagery and footage I’ve seen from drone masters isn’t obviously done with a drone. It’s because the photographer took the effort to make a pleasingly-composed, well-exposed, high-quality image. 

The same applies with video.

Amazing primary or B-roll footage can be captured with a drone. Don’t limit yourself to only overhead views from your new drone. Drone footage captured at eye level or lower can be absolutely amazing. The drone allows you complete freedom of movement while filming to give your final product a polished look. 

Stay Safe and Legal

Photo by Brennan Martinez on Unsplash

Drones have been in the news recently due to some operator’s poor choices. There are regulations involved for drone use and there are safety protocols as well. Drones like the DJI Mavic series can fly fast, high, and a long distance. Therefore, a responsible drone photographer will learn safety protocols and follow the law.

If you’re in the United States, take a look at FAA regulations regarding drone registration and flights before you launch your drone for the first time. 

Enjoy Your New Drone

Photo by Lance Asper on Unsplash 

Drones are awesome photo tools. And when it comes down to it, drone photography can open up your creativity and may even provide you with some extra income.

The keys to drone photography success are to keep all those photography rules in mind regarding composition, exposure, and so forth. Fly responsibly and safely. Carry your drone and other gear in a bag that actually protects it, too.

Do these things, and you’ll be able to have fun and shoot beautiful pictures and videos!

This blog post about “Introduction to Drone Photography” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/introduction-to-drone-photography

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/introduction-to-drone-photography.html

Canon EF 11-24mm F/4L USM Lens: Keep IT or Ditch IT?

The Canon EF 11-24mm F4L USM has been out for a while now and it certainly got everyone’s attention quickly. This is the widest professional lens you can get for a full frame camera, and at 11mm the angle of view is absolutely astonishing. But is this lens a must-have? Can a professional photographer who shoots wide angle a lot live without it or not?

We want to share an honest look at this ultra wide lens, with goods and bads. Let’s start with why you shouldn’t consider this lens. 

Ditch it

1. Because it’s too expensive

This lens will set you back $3000.That is serious money no matter how you look at it. You can get a lot of stuff for $3000, including the 16-35 f/2.8L USM II for half. Sure, it’s not as wide, but still hasn’t stopped it from being the number one ultra wide choice for pros around the world. If you want this lens, make sure your wallet’s big enough.

(Success Tip #1:Crazy new way to learn photography when you have little time to spare)

2. Because it’s not a f/2.8

When you spend this kind of money, you kind of expect bright glass. Sure, it might not be easy to produce an f/2.8 lens in this focal range, but that again the paying photographer doesn’t care how hard it is. Nobody says you can’t shoot longer exposures hand held at 11mm, but the still, this thing doesn’t even have IS.

3. You can’t put filters on it

This is something Nikon users are already used to, thanks to their trusty 14-24mm f/2.8, which by the way costs less. Not being able to put a filter on this lens takes away a lot from it. We’re talking about pro landscape photographers who would buy this lens if they could mount a circular polarizer or a ND filter on it.

(Success Tip #2:The secret to selling more photography with less effort)

Reasons to keep it:

Because it’s insane

There are fisheye lenses narrower than this lens, yet in the middle of the frame, everything is perfectly straight. It is the ultimate ultra-wide angle experience and it offers unique perspectives that will change your game completely regardless of what you’re shooting.

Because of the image quality

The photos that come through this thing are top notch quality. The details are amazing and if you mount it on a 5Ds, you enter a whole new dimension in DSLR photography. The colors are great, the contrast is there, and it’s everything you would expect from L glass.See full specs and photos here.

Because it’s a tank

Just because you should treat it like a jewel doesn’t mean it is one. This think is a big hunk of metal filled with expensive glass. It is highly resistant to water and dust, meaning you can take it even in the toughest environments.

Overall, the Canon 11-24mm f/4L USM is an engineering marvel and above all, it is a great investment, despite the high cost. We recommend it to all landscape photographers, photojournalists and everyone who wants to enjoy a unique ultra- wide-angle experience.

Check out more details about the Canon 11-24 f/4L USM lens here.

This blog post about “Canon EF 11-24mm F/4L USM Lens” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/5630-canon-ef-11-24mm-f-4l-usm-lens-keep-it-or-ditch-it

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/canon-ef-11-24mm-f4l-usm-lens-keep-it.html

Canon’s Outrageously Awesome 1200mm lens

You don’t have to be a gear head to become of fan of unique items, and one such memorable piece of equipment is the legendary Canon 1200mm f/5.6L USM. This zoom lens so rare that seeing someone using it can be a once in a lifetime event. When you first look at it, you get the feeling it was taken out of an astronomy lab. It measures 33 inches and it has a front element that measures 9 inches across. It’s large, massive and it takes at least two people to mount it on a tripod. It has three range settings for improving autofocus response times and a 2 degree angle view.
 

Image credits: MPB Photographic 

(Success Tip #1: Crazy new way to learn photography when you have little time to spare)

The folks with MPB Photographic frame up this shot with a 100-400mm lens at 200mm

Shown here with the Canon 1200mm lens in action, talk about an impressive ‘up-close and personal’ feel to it! 

Image credits: MPB Photographic

There were less than 20 of these ever made and each of them was assembled by hand. If you are lucky enough to come across one randomly, chances are it’s going to look pretty worn. These lenses were most likely used for sports photography, and some were maybe even taken into the wild. If you’re a “normal” photographer who is satisfied with a standard 70-200mm f/2.8 pro zoom, than this is nothing you could really benefit from using. On the other hand, if you really love the idea of safely photographing subjects that are two miles away, then yes, it might come in handy. There’s one you can go visit at B&H in New York, and it’s probably the best preserved one. If you can spare some change, you might even consider buying it. It will only set you back $180,000.

(Success Tip #2: The secret to selling more photography with less effort)

See its Wiki page for more details. 

The folks MPB Photographic share you some jaw dropping upclose shots taken with this lens.

Here’s another short video of this beast in action.

This blog post about “Canon’s Outrageously Awesome 1200mm lens” was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/5463-canon-s-outrageously-awesome-1200mm-lens

Source: https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/10/canons-outrageously-awesome-1200mm-lens.html