While the Live Photos feature offers a simple way to create long exposure effects, it's not the only method available for iPhone users. For those looking to dive deeper into the world of long exposure photography and unlock even more creative potential, third-party apps like the Snap Pro Camera app provide an excellent solution.
]]>
As you dive into the world of iPhone long exposure photography, you might find yourself with a bunch of questions. How exactly can your iPhone capture these mesmerizing shots? Which models support this feature? And what are the secrets to nailing the perfect long exposure photo with your device? Whether you're a photography enthusiast looking to explore this creative technique or simply curious about maximizing your iPhone's camera capabilities, our comprehensive FAQ section has got you covered. Here, we'll unravel the mysteries of iPhone long exposure photography, providing you with all the information you need to start capturing stunning images today.
Yes, your iPhone can indeed take long exposure photos, and it does this through a feature called Live Photos. Introduced with the iPhone Live Photos feature, Live Photos record what happens 2 seconds before and after you take a picture. While not originally designed for long exposures, this feature can be cleverly used to create a long exposure effect. By blurring motion in the recorded frames, your iPhone can simulate the look of a traditional long exposure photograph, all without needing any special camera gear. This makes it incredibly easy for anyone to experiment with and enjoy the creative possibilities of long exposure photography.
Long exposure photography using Live Photos is available on most of the iPhone models. Here's a quick list of iPhone models that support this feature:
If your iPhone can take Live Photos, it can create long exposure images. This opens up a wide range of creative opportunities, no matter which of these models you own.
Long exposure on an iPhone works by stitching together the frames captured before and after you take a Live Photo, creating a sense of motion or blurring moving elements in the scene. For example, water flowing over a waterfall can appear silky smooth, and cars' lights at night can turn into long, glowing trails. Static elements in your photo, like buildings or trees, remain sharp and in focus, creating a beautiful contrast between the still and moving parts of your image. This effect mimics traditional long exposure photography but is achieved through the software magic in your iPhone, allowing you to capture stunning photos without needing a tripod or professional camera equipment.
Taking long exposure photos with your iPhone is simpler than you might think, thanks to the Live Photos feature. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to capture these stunning images, along with some tips to get the best results:
Step-by-Step Guide
Enable Live Photos: Open the Camera app on your iPhone. Make sure the Live Photos feature is turned on; you'll see the Live Photos icon (a series of concentric circles) at the top of the screen. If it's not highlighted, tap it to activate Live Photos.
Find Your Subject: Choose a scene with movement for an interesting long exposure effect. Moving water, busy streets, and nighttime cityscapes work well.
Stabilize Your iPhone: For the clearest photos, it's important to keep your iPhone as still as possible. Using a tripod is ideal, but if you don't have one, try to steady your hands or rest your iPhone on a stable surface.
Take the Photo: Press the shutter button to take your Live Photo. Remember, your iPhone captures 2 seconds of video before and after you press the shutter, so keep it steady for a few seconds before and after taking the photo.
Edit Your Photo: After taking your Live Photo, open it in the Photos app. Swipe up on the photo, and you'll see various effects you can apply. Choose "Long Exposure." Your iPhone will automatically blend the frames together to create the long exposure effect.
Tips for the Best Results
Use a Tripod: This cannot be overstated. Even a slight movement can blur your photo, reducing the clarity of stationary objects. A tripod ensures your iPhone remains stable.
Shoot in the Right Conditions: Long exposure photography works best in low to moderate light conditions, especially for capturing light trails or smoothing water. In bright daylight, long exposures can lead to overexposed images.
Experiment with Different Scenes: The beauty of long exposure photography lies in experimentation. Try different settings and subjects to see what works best.
Be Patient: Sometimes, getting the perfect shot takes a few tries. Don't be discouraged if your first few attempts don't turn out as expected.
By following these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to capturing breathtaking long exposure photos with your iPhone. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep experimenting with different subjects and conditions to refine your skills.
While the Live Photos feature offers a simple way to create long exposure effects, it's not the only method available for iPhone users. For those looking to dive deeper into the world of long exposure photography and unlock even more creative potential, third-party apps like the Snap Pro Camera app provide an excellent solution.
The Snap Pro Camera app takes iPhone photography to the next level with specialized long exposure modes such as Motion Blur, Light Trail, and Low Light. These modes offer greater control and flexibility over the settings, allowing you to fine-tune the exposure time, sensitivity, and other parameters for your long exposure shots. Whether you're capturing the bustling movement of city streets at night or the serene flow of a waterfall, Snap Pro Camera equips you with the tools to achieve stunning, professional-quality results.
With Snap Pro Camera, users can explore long exposure photography beyond the limitations of the iPhone's built-in Camera app. Its intuitive interface and advanced features make it easier for photographers of all skill levels to produce breathtaking long exposure images that stand out from the crowd.
Long exposure photography on the iPhone, whether using the built-in Camera app or a powerful third-party application like Snap Pro Camera, involves capturing and blending multiple frames over a period to create a single, seamless image. This technique allows moving elements in the frame to blur, creating a dynamic sense of motion, while keeping stationary elements crisp and focused.
The iPhone's native Camera app simulates this effect in post-processing by stitching together frames from a Live Photo. However, Snap Pro Camera offers a more authentic and customizable experience. It allows users to actively control the exposure time and adjust settings to match the shooting conditions perfectly. The app processes the images in real-time, giving you immediate feedback on how your adjustments affect the outcome.
Snap Pro Camera's advanced algorithms are designed to handle the complexities of long exposure photography, such as balancing light levels and reducing noise for low light conditions. This results in images that are not only stunning but also retain a high level of detail and color accuracy. Whether you're an experienced photographer or just starting out, Snap Pro Camera provides the tools and flexibility needed to experiment with long exposure photography and achieve exceptional results that are sure to impress.
Long exposure photography transforms ordinary scenes into extraordinary images, blending motion into a smooth, mesmerizing flow that adds a magical touch to your photos. With the iPhone, capturing these stunning images has never been more accessible. Whether you're using the built-in Live Photos feature or exploring the advanced capabilities of third-party apps like Snap Pro Camera, the potential for creativity is limitless.
We've covered the basics of getting started with long exposure photography on your iPhone, from leveraging the Live Photos feature to diving deeper with Snap Pro Camera's specialized modes like Motion Blur, Light Trail, and Low Light. Each method opens up new possibilities for capturing the world around you in a uniquely captivating way.
Remember, the key to great long exposure photography is experimentation. Don't be afraid to try different settings, subjects, and conditions. With the Snap Pro Camera app, you have a powerful tool at your fingertips that offers unparalleled control and flexibility, allowing you to push the boundaries of what you thought was possible with your iPhone.
So grab your iPhone, head out into the world, and start capturing the beauty of motion in your photos. Whether it's the rush of a waterfall, the trails of city lights, or the serene movement of the stars, long exposure photography allows you to see the world in a new light. Happy shooting!
[star star="102"]
]]>This guide is here to arm you with essential iPhone photography tips that will not just improve your photos but will truly unlock the artistic photographer within you. Let's embark on this journey to elevate your iPhone photography game to dazzling new heights!
Leveraging these moments of natural light not only enhances your photos visually but also brings out your creative side, allowing you to explore and capture the world in its most flattering light. So next time you're planning a photography session, sync up with the sun's schedule and let the golden hour's magic elevate your iPhone photography.
Elevating your iPhone photography means becoming a wizard with natural light, especially when it comes to softening its impact. Harsh sunlight can create unflattering shadows and highlights, but there's a simple, effective trick to combat this: light diffusion. By positioning your subjects near a window or in a shaded spot, you can transform the quality of your photos dramatically.
This technique harnesses softer, indirect light, which naturally smoothens and evens out the lighting on your subject. The result? Portraits that look professional, with a gentle illumination that flatters rather than overwhelms. It's all about finding those spaces where the light is mellow yet sufficient, whether it's under a tree or beside a softly lit window.
Understanding and applying light diffusion in your iPhone photography not only improves the aesthetic quality of your images but also brings a level of sophistication and depth that mimics professional shoots. So next time you're out capturing moments, remember that sometimes, the best light is not the brightest, but the softest.
The clarity of your iPhone photos hinges on something as simple as the cleanliness of your camera lens. Over time, fingerprints, dust, and smudges can accumulate on your lens, obscuring your shots with blur and haze, and diminishing the beauty of your captures.
To elevate your iPhone photography, integrating lens cleaning into your routine is a small but transformative habit. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth or a dab of lens cleaning solution can banish those imperfections, restoring the crispness and vibrancy to your images.
This straightforward care step is key to unlocking the full photographic potential of your iPhone. With a clean lens, each photo you take steps closer to perfection, enabling you to capture the world in its majestic beauty. So, before you snap that next breathtaking shot, remember: a clean lens is your gateway to stunning, sharp images.
The art of iPhone photography is not just about capturing what you see; it's about presenting it in a way that intrigues and captivates. A key ingredient in this creative quest is experimenting with different angles and perspectives. This approach can breathe life into your photos, turning the mundane into the magnificent.
Don't hesitate to change your viewpoint—stoop down, climb up, and look at the world from an angle others might not consider. This exploration can introduce a new dimension to your photographs, adding layers of depth and a fresh, dynamic edge. Whether it's capturing the grandeur of a landscape from a bird's eye view or the intricate details of a flower at ground level, each new angle offers a unique story to tell.
Incorporating this creative flexibility into your photography practice encourages you to see beyond the obvious, transforming everyday scenes into captivating visual narratives. Challenge yourself to look at your surroundings from a new perspective, and watch as your iPhone photography ascends to exciting new levels.
In the realm of iPhone photography, the Rule of Thirds is a fundamental principle that can dramatically enhance your compositions. This technique involves envisioning your frame divided by two horizontal and two vertical lines, creating nine equal segments. Strategically positioning your subjects at the points where these lines intersect can lead to more aesthetically pleasing and balanced photos.
But there's more to composition than just balance. The Rule of Thirds encourages you to compose your shots with intention, guiding the viewer's eye to the most important elements of your photo. It's about creating a visual flow that feels both natural and compelling.
To put this principle into practice effectively, tools like the Snap Pro Camera app come into play, offering advanced features like the Rule of Thirds and Golden Triangle grid overlays. These tools not only help you visualize the ideal placement of your subject within the frame but also push your creative boundaries. Whether you're aligning a horizon along a horizontal line or placing a point of interest at an intersection, these features can be invaluable in refining your photographic eye.
Incorporating the Rule of Thirds and utilizing the grid features of photography apps such as Snap Pro Camera can significantly uplift your iPhone photography game. By embracing these composition tools, you're not just taking photos; you're crafting visually engaging stories that captivate and resonate.
To truly unlock your photographic potential with your iPhone, stepping into the realm of manual controls is a game-changer. Snap Pro Camera offers a bunch of settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance that put the creative reins firmly in your hands.
Adjusting ISO lets you manage the light sensitivity, perfect for balancing shots in varying lighting conditions. Tweaking the shutter speed opens up creative avenues for capturing motion in your frames—freeze a fleeting moment or blur it artistically. And by fine-tuning the white balance, you ensure your colors are true to life, regardless of the lighting environment.
Snap Pro Camera's manual controls are not just features; they are your toolkit for elevating your photography. Whether you're aiming for the precision of a professional shot or exploring the boundaries of your creative expression, these settings are instrumental in crafting the images you envision.
While the Auto mode on your iPhone provides convenience and quick snaps, venturing into the manual capabilities of the Snap Pro Camera app unveils a whole new dimension of photography. Advanced settings like exposure compensation, white balance presets, and focus peaking are at your disposal to refine your shots to perfection.
Exposure compensation gives you the power to dial in the brightness, bringing life to underexposed scenes or adding mood to overbright ones. With white balance presets, you can adjust for the warm glow of a sunset or the cool shades of shadow, ensuring your photos look natural and vibrant. Focus peaking is a revolutionary tool that visually marks the sharpest parts of your scene, making it invaluable for capturing detailed textures or creating a mesmerizing depth of field.
These advanced features push you beyond the simplicity of point-and-shoot, challenging you to think like a photographer and see like an artist. By mastering these tools within the Snap Pro Camera app, you open up a world where your iPhone is not just a camera, but an extension of your creative vision.
Harness the power of motion blur with the Snap Pro Camera app to transform your photos from ordinary to extraordinary. This feature enables you to beautifully capture the fluid motion of elements like waterfalls or the enchanting trails of stars across the night sky. Motion Blur isn't just a tool; it's a gateway to capturing the world in motion, allowing you to convey movement in a still image with surreal clarity and beauty. Dive into the possibilities of iphone long exposure photography and watch as your images gain a new dimension of allure.
Unlock the magic of night photography and light painting with the Light Trail mode in Snap Pro Camera. This feature is your key to crafting vibrant light trails and artistic compositions, transforming the way you capture light and darkness. Whether you're painting with city lights or capturing the trails of stars, the app equips you with the precision needed to bring your vision to life. Explore the art of long exposure to add dynamic, mesmerizing elements to your photographic repertoire.
Move beyond the constraints of autofocus with Snap Pro Camera's manual focus feature, allowing you to pinpoint the exact part of your scene you wish to highlight. From isolating a delicate flower against a soft background to capturing the intricate details of an eye, manual focus places complete control in your hands. Coupled with manual exposure adjustments, you can ensure your subject is perfectly lit, overcoming the challenges of backlit scenes or uneven lighting conditions. Snap Pro Camera is your companion in refining each detail for photos that truly stand out.
Taking your iPhone photography to unprecedented heights requires a deep dive into the advanced features offered by Snap Pro Camera, especially mastering Histograms and Zebra Stripes.
Histograms provide a powerful visual representation of the light and color distribution in your photos, allowing you to ensure that your shots are perfectly exposed, with balanced highlights and shadows. This tool is invaluable for making precise adjustments to your exposure, guaranteeing that every detail is captured with clarity and impact.
Zebra Stripes, on the other hand, are a critical feature for identifying overexposed areas within your frame. These alternating black and white patterns appear on the parts of your image that are at risk of losing detail due to excessive brightness. By adjusting exposure settings in real-time, based on the feedback from Zebra Stripes, you can preserve the nuances in every shot, ensuring that your photos retain their intended expression.
Embracing these advanced tools within the Snap Pro Camera app empowers you to overcome common photography challenges, such as uneven lighting or complex scenes. By leveraging Histograms and Zebra Stripes, you elevate your craft, ensuring that every photo you take with your iPhone stands out with professional-grade perfection.
The magic of live filters lies in their ability to transform your photography in real-time, offering a glimpse into the final look of your images before you even take them. With the Snap Pro Camera app, you have access to an array of filters that you can preview and adjust on the fly, ensuring that the mood, tone, and intensity are just right. This feature acts as both your inspiration board and your editing suite, enabling you to craft and fine-tune your vision with precision as you shoot. It's a powerful way to express your unique artistic style and tell your story with each photo.
Camera shake is a common challenge that can blur the details of your photos, but Snap Pro Camera offers a clever solution with its Apple Watch integration. This feature allows you to trigger your iPhone's camera remotely, significantly reducing the risk of shake and ensuring your photos come out sharp and clear. Whether you're delving into macro photography, snapping the perfect group selfie, or exploring creative angles, the remote control capability offers several key benefits:
Sharper Images: Remote triggering means you can keep your iPhone stationary, resulting in crisp, clear shots free from the blurring effects of hand movement.
Creative Flexibility: Achieve unique shots and explore different perspectives without compromising stability. From low angles to distant views, control your camera without physically touching it.
Effortless Group Photos: No more awkward stretches or missed moments waiting for a timer. The Apple Watch app simplifies capturing group selfies, ensuring everyone makes it into the frame with ease.
By incorporating live filters and minimizing camera shake through remote control, you're equipped to elevate your iPhone photography, making every shot a testament to your creativity and precision.
As we wrap up this journey through the art of iPhone photography, it's clear that the power to capture stunning, professional-grade images lies right in your pocket. By embracing the tips and techniques discussed—from mastering natural light and composition to delving into the manual controls and creative modes of Snap Pro Camera—we've seen how every shot can be transformed into a visual masterpiece.
Photography is more than just pointing and shooting; it's about seeing the world through a lens of creativity and expression. Whether you're experimenting with different angles or exploring the dynamic capabilities of live filters and minimizing camera shake, each tip offers a stepping stone to elevate your photography skills.
Remember, the best camera is the one you have with you, and with your iPhone, you're equipped with an incredibly powerful tool. The journey doesn't stop here; continue to explore, experiment, and push the boundaries of what you can achieve with iPhone photography. Your next great photo is just a click away.
Happy shooting, and may your creativity shine through every image you capture!
[star star="164"]
]]>Long exposure works by leaving the camera's shutter open for an extended period, allowing it to record the movement of objects, creating visually appealing images. Despite this, the built-in iPhone camera app doesn't support long exposure photography directly. This might sound disappointing, especially since iPhones have become powerful photography tools over the years, versatile enough for everything from capturing moments on global travels to everyday still life scenes.
But there's good news: achieving long exposure effects with your iPhone is still possible, opening up a world of creative photography opportunities. Even though the iPhone's standard camera app doesn't offer manual control for long exposures, various methods and apps enable you to explore this fascinating photography technique with your device. Unlock the secret to capturing breathtaking long exposure iphone photos with our step-by-step guide.
Ever marveled at how waves crashing or waterfalls appear seamlessly smooth in certain images? Or observed city life captured in a single frame, where moving cars and bustling crowds blur into a lively streak while buildings stand sharp and clear? This technique, known as long exposure photography, relies on using a slow shutter speed combined with a tripod to minimize camera movement. When using a DSLR or mirrorless camera, you adjust the shutter speed to a range between 1/15 of a second to 30 seconds, aiming for the specific visual effect you desire.
Long exposure, or slow shutter speed photography, involves dialing down the shutter speed to keep unmoving subjects crisp and transform moving ones into a soft blur, creating dynamic streaks, or making them disappear from the scene altogether. The essence of a long exposure shot isn't tied to a specific shutter speed; it's about using motion to contrast with the stillness, giving long exposure its distinct look.
For example, capturing athletes with a shutter speed of half a second might count as a long exposure shot, while photographing the celestial dance of stars might require an exposure lasting 30 seconds or longer.
This photography style is commonly linked with capturing scenes in low light or at night, such as the celestial trail of stars or the glowing paths of car lights. However, long exposure isn't confined to the dark. Daytime photos, such as ocean waves looking otherworldly with a long exposure, clearly compare the moving water with the unmoving landscape, highlighting how this method works well in different kinds of light.
The beauty of long exposure photography with your iPhone is that you're free to experiment with it anytime. To help ignite your creative spark, here are some perfect scenarios for trying out long exposure.
Nighttime is perfect for capturing light trails with long exposure photography. Dark settings, such as city streets with moving cars or starry skies, are great for getting stunning photos with longer exposures.
Landscapes with moving clouds or waterfalls offer another excellent chance for long exposure photography. It's a creative method to capture the beauty of nature's movement and dynamism in your photos.
For those who love the great outdoors, nature photography benefits immensely from long exposure techniques. Whether it's showcasing the graceful flight of birds and insects or the serene flow of water, long exposure allows you to convey motion in a captivating way, instead of simply freezing a moment in time.
Although the iPhone's built-in camera lacks direct support for long exposure photography due to the inability to manually adjust shutter speed, you can still create those captivating light trail images. This is achievable through two main alternatives: using a dedicated long exposure app or transforming Live Photos into long exposure shots. These methods offer a unique approach to achieving effects akin to those produced with a DSLR camera.
Despite the absence of manual controls on the iPhone, Apple provides a workaround for capturing long exposure shots directly within its native camera app. This method leverages the Live Photos feature, which can be transformed into long exposure images right from the Photos app. Follow these steps to create your own long exposure images:
And that's it! You've successfully turned a Live Photo into a long exposure masterpiece using just your iPhone.
While traditional DSLR cameras can easily achieve this effect, iPhone users have often felt left out due to hardware limitations. However, the Snap Pro Camera app changes the game, enabling iPhone enthusiasts to explore the world of long exposures without needing professional equipment.
Snap Pro Camera app is your solution to this limitation. Designed to bring professional camera modes to your iPhone, it offers an intuitive way to capture long exposure photos, combining ease of use with powerful features.
Unlike the native Camera app, Snap Pro Camera gives you control over your exposure settings, mimicking the manual adjustments available on a DSLR. This control, paired with cutting-edge computational photography techniques, makes it a superior choice for iPhone photography enthusiasts looking to push the boundaries of their creative expression.
Achieving stunning iphone long exposure photos with Snap Pro Camera is straightforward. Here's how to get started:
To maximize the quality of your long exposure on iphone, consider these essential tips. Adhering to this guidance will help ensure your efforts in taking long exposure photos are rewarding. Pay attention to the following advice:
Invest in a Tripod: For long exposure shots, your camera needs to remain still for extended periods. Handheld shots can lead to unwanted blur, as keeping your hands steady is challenging over long durations. Using a tripod guarantees the stability needed for crisp, clear long exposure images. While you can improvise with items around the house, a dedicated tripod is a worthwhile investment for those serious about their long exposure photography.
Focus on Composition: The magic of long exposure photography often lies in the composition. Taking extra time to thoughtfully arrange your shot can significantly enhance its impact. For instance, a long exposure photograph capturing the blur of a speeding train becomes even more compelling with a stationary subject in the foreground, adding depth and narrative to the image. Don't hesitate to experiment with different perspectives, adjust your scene, or include a friend as a model to introduce a contrasting element to the dynamic blur created by long exposures.
Innovative Concepts for iPhone Long Exposure Shots Using Snap Pro Camera
These ideas can broaden your creative horizons and inspire you to explore the vast possibilities of long exposure photography with your iPhone using the Snap Pro Camera app.
The Snap Pro Camera app empowers iPhone users to explore the artistic potential of long exposure photography, traditionally reserved for DSLR cameras. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, you can capture breathtaking images that stand out. Whether you're a seasoned photographer or new to the craft, Snap Pro Camera is your gateway to unlocking creative possibilities and elevating your photography to new heights.
You can find FAQs about iPhone long exposure photography here:
https://www.miops.com/blogs/news/essential-faqs-on-iphone-long-exposure-photography-everything-you-need-to-know
[star star="213"]
]]>We introduce you to Snap Pro Camera, the pinnacle of iPhone camera apps, designed to deliver a DSLR-like experience right at your fingertips. With its advanced manual controls, intuitive user interface, and an array of professional-quality tools, Snap Pro Camera elevates your iPhone photography from simple snapshots to extraordinary masterpieces. Whether you are an aspiring photographer or a seasoned pro, this guide will help you unlock the full potential of your iPhone's camera, ensuring every shot you take is a step towards photographic excellence.
Mobile photography has revolutionized the way we capture and share moments, with smartphones consistently pushing the boundaries of image quality and camera technology. High-resolution sensors, sophisticated software algorithms, and AI-powered features are now standard, making mobile devices powerful tools for photographers. The trend towards professional-grade photography with smartphones is rapidly growing, as users seek to create stunning, high-quality images that rival traditional cameras. Social media platforms have further fueled this trend, with a constant demand for eye-catching content driving the need for advanced photographic capabilities in the palm of your hand.
The world of mobile photography has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, largely due to the rise of high-quality smartphone cameras. Modern smartphones now boast sensors that rival those found in traditional cameras, along with impressive megapixel counts. This leap in technology means that the photos we capture with our phones are clearer, crisper, and more detailed than ever before.
These improvements have not gone unnoticed by consumers. More and more people are turning to their smartphones as their primary photography device, leaving their bulky DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras behind. This shift in consumer behavior is a testament to the confidence users have in their smartphone cameras' ability to deliver stunning photographs.
The enhanced sensor quality ensures that even in challenging lighting conditions, smartphones can produce images with excellent dynamic range and low noise. Meanwhile, higher megapixel counts allow for significant cropping and editing flexibility without sacrificing image quality. As a result, mobile photography has not only become more convenient but also more creative and versatile.
While the iPhone is renowned for its impressive camera hardware, the native camera app often falls short for those wanting to unlock the full potential of their device's capabilities. Photographers, both amateur and professional, are turning to advanced camera apps that offer granular control over settings like ISO, shutter speed, and focus. These apps cater to the need for precision and flexibility, allowing users to manipulate images to their exact specifications and explore creative possibilities that go beyond the limitations of standard camera software.
Snap Pro Camera is at the forefront of this movement, offering iPhone users a professional photography experience right at their fingertips. This app is designed to deliver DSLR-like control and quality, with an array of manual adjustments and customizations that empower photographers to take charge of the photographic process. From fine-tuning exposure to applying real-time filters, Snap Pro Camera equips users with sophisticated tools to create exceptional images. Its user-friendly interface bridges the gap between the complexity of professional photography and the simplicity of mobile usage, making it the ideal choice for anyone serious about elevating their iPhone photography game.
Snap Pro Camera offers a suite of features that are designed to enhance the photography experience on your iPhone. It gives users the ability to adjust settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance, which are crucial for capturing images that truly stand out. With these advanced controls, you can take photos in various lighting conditions, from the soft glow of dusk to the bright and harsh midday sun, with ease and precision.
The app also boasts an intuitive user interface, making it accessible to photographers of all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate hobbyist, Snap Pro Camera enables you to take your iPhone photography to the next level. The in-app editing suite further simplifies the post-processing workflow, allowing you to refine your photos without ever leaving the app.
Snap Pro Camera's advanced manual controls are what really set it apart from other iPhone camera apps. These controls allow for a level of precision that mimics the experience of using a DSLR camera. You can fine-tune focus for sharp, detailed images, and adjust the shutter speed to freeze a fast-moving scene or create a motion blur for a dynamic effect.
ISO adjustment allows you to control the camera's sensitivity to light, making your images as bright or as dark as needed without compromising on quality. Shutter speed can be finely tuned to capture crisp action shots or to create a motion blur for artistic effect. The white balance feature ensures that the colors in your photos are accurate to life, compensating for the temperature of different lighting conditions. Manual focus, meanwhile, gives you the power to pinpoint exactly where in the frame you want the sharpest clarity, from the foreground to the background.
These controls are akin to those found on professional DSLR cameras, providing a level of precision that was once only achievable with bulky, expensive equipment. Snap Pro Camera brings this professional capability directly to your iPhone, combining an intuitive user interface with the professional quality output.
The user interface is designed to be user-friendly, making the advanced functionalities of Snap Pro Camera accessible to both amateur and professional photographers. The app's layout is straightforward, allowing for quick changes on the fly, which is crucial in capturing fleeting moments. Despite its simplicity, the images produced with Snap Pro Camera are nothing short of professional. The control over settings allows for the creation of photographs with stunning detail, dynamic range, and color accuracy that rival those taken with a DSLR.
Adding to its advanced features, Snap Pro Camera offers live filters and real-time adjustments, which empower photographers to apply creative and stylistic changes to their images as they compose their shots. This feature saves time and helps in visualizing the final product before the picture is taken, ensuring that the captured image meets the photographer's vision.
Precision tools like the tiltmeter and grid overlay help maintain straight horizons and balanced compositions, while different aspect ratios allow for framing the scene to the photographer's preference. A histogram provides a visual representation of the image's exposure, ensuring that the highlights and shadows are well balanced. The zebra stripes pattern is an invaluable tool for identifying and avoiding overexposed areas in the photo. Focus peaking highlights the edges of highest contrast in the scene, which is especially useful for ensuring the main subject is in sharp focus.
When it comes to post-processing and sharing, Snap Pro Camera stands out with its versatile format support. Whether you prefer the editing latitude of ProRAW and RAW or the convenience of JPG and TIFF, this app caters to all preferences. This flexibility extends to the post-processing workflow, allowing for a range of creative editing possibilities right from your iPhone. With Snap Pro Camera, taking the perfect shot is just the beginning. Its comprehensive set of features makes it a complete photography tool, from composition and capture to editing and sharing.
Unlock the full potential of iPhone photography with the Snap Pro Camera app's Long Exposure mode. Traditionally, achieving the mesmerizing effect of long exposure photography was a feat reserved for DSLR cameras. However, Snap Pro Camera bridges this gap, offering iPhone users the opportunity to capture stunning long exposure shots without the need for professional gear.
With its user-friendly interface, the Snap Pro Camera app is designed to elevate your photography game. It integrates advanced features like AI-Based Stabilization to ensure crystal-clear images, Automatic Scene Recognition for optimized settings, and Smart Exposure to master light in every shot. This suite of features, combined with the flexibility to manually adjust exposure settings, positions Snap Pro Camera as an essential tool for creative expression.
In conclusion, the Snap Pro Camera app transforms your iPhone into a photographic powerhouse, rivaling the capabilities of a professional DSLR camera. With its advanced manual controls for ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and focus, it empowers you to fine-tune every aspect of your photos with precision. Whether you're an amateur enthusiast or a seasoned pro, this app provides the tools you need to elevate your mobile photography. Embrace the creative freedom and professional quality that Snap Pro Camera offers, and discover the true potential of your iPhone's camera. Don't wait to start capturing great photos—download Snap Pro Camera from the App Store today and unlock the full photographic power of your iPhone.
Snap Pro Camera is compatible with a wide range of iPhone models, ensuring users across several generations can enhance their photography with advanced manual controls. The supported iPhone models include:
This extensive compatibility list ensures that a broad spectrum of iPhone users, from those holding onto cherished older models to those sporting the latest in Apple's technology, can access the professional-grade features offered by Snap Pro Camera.
For more photography insights and to take your skills even further, especially if you're using your iPhone, don't miss our blog post "13 Best iPhone Photography Tips for Better Photos: Unleash Your Inner Photographer." Dive into expert advice and techniques that will transform your smartphone shots into professional-looking masterpieces.
[star star="486"]
]]>Photographing lightning can be one of the most unpredictable yet also one of the most rewarding photographic endeavors. The effect that a lightning flash makes on a photograph definitely leaves a highly electrifying impact (pun intended). When and where lightning will exactly strike is almost impossible to predict but through patterns of occurrence, lightning density trends, and the general weather forecast, there are various ways through which you can increase your chances of being able to photograph lightning. In this article, let’s talk about some of the best points for lightning photography.
[blognewsletter]
A lightning pulse is a result of charge differences between one surface and another. Lightning can happen from one cloud to another or from one cloud to the ground. This happens when particles within the clouds move and collide with each other at a rapid rate which results in an electric gradient against another cloud or the ground. As this difference in charge builds up, the potential increases as the system seeks to neutralize this difference. The air between the two opposing sides act as an insulator until the insulating capacity breaks and a rapid discharge of electricity occurs to transfer the energy and reach electrical equilibrium.
*Prepare for Lightning, https://www.wunderground.com/prepare/lightning
Lightning and thunderstorms can happen anywhere however there are particular regions have them more common and can be considered the best lighting photography places. Lightning happens commonly when there is unstable atmosphere, moisture, and abundance of warmth on the ground. This is why generally more tropical regions commonly get more thunderstorms. In the United States, Texas leads with the most number of lightning pulses in the year 2020 and various years before that, but Florida leads with a higher percentage of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes probably because of its more humid tropical climate. In Australia, the Western Top End and North Kimberly regions have shown to be more active when it comes to thunderstorms and lightning which makes these areas the best lightning photography places.
*2021 U.S. Lightning Report Recording, https://www.earthnetworks.com/
Spring and summer are generally considered lightning season for lightning photography as the frequency of thunderstorms happen more during these times. Autumn and winter generally get less but it is not impossible to happen. All these data and trends can be of help when preparing to photograph lightning.
Being successful in doing lightning photography means being at the right place at the right time and also not being at the wrong place at the right time. Planning is the most crucial part of this creative process because lightning can be so elusive to photograph and you can never be caught wasting time and making mistakes. It’s not everyday that lightning happens in multiple continuous pulses generally happening in the same area enough for you to adjust to it. This is why finding the best points for lightning photography right as the storm starts is your biggest priority.
To find the spots where it will happen, there are various websites and apps that have real-time lightning and thunderstorm tracking that can guide you in finding an advantageous and safe vantage point to photograph the storm. These are apps such as Spark, Blitzortung Lightning Monitor, and My Lightning Tracker and websites such as LightningMaps.org and EarthNetworks.com. By using this information you can find a spot to shoot and even find foreground elements advantageous for your composition. Lightning tends to hit taller structures so being able to keep skyscrapers (in the city) and trees (in open areas) within the frame increases your chances of being able to capture the lightning strike. However it is important also to consider that you should have significant distance from such to ensure your safety.
Photographing lightning requires a few considerations about the scenario to be able to determine the right camera settings. While it is possible to photograph lightning during the day, it is obviously more visible when the sky behind it is relatively dark. Much of the impact that photographs of lightning make comes from how it illuminates the clouds surrounding it especially when the lightning pulse goes from a cloud to another cloud. Taking photographs of lightning is best done at night and during twilight when the sky is dark enough for the lightning strike to stand out.
[smart]
Since you will be working with a relatively dim environment, it is necessary to shoot relatively long exposures and this will also be generally beneficial in increasing your chances of capturing the split-second lightning strikes. However, it is important to also limit the length of the exposure to make sure that the strikes are visible. Given those considerations, it is best to take 6-10 second exposures that will help you capture any and all lightning strikes that will happen within that period. At the same time, the exposure won’t be too long that the luminosity of other elements in frame will cancel out the bright but brief flash of light. To be able to do this, it is imperative to use a relatively small aperture such as f/8 or f/11 to prevent getting blown out exposures and at the same time ensure that both the sky and the ground elements are in-focus and clear. ISO can be relatively flexible but the goal is to keep it at a minimum since the flash of light from the lightning strike is much brighter than the luminosity of the scenario when there are is no lightning.
The camera gear and support gear to be used in photographing lightning play a key role in the success of the endeavor. Since this involves catching and photographing an elusive phenomenon that only happens in fractions of a second, it is important that the gear being used is reliable and can very well adapt to the situation.
Cameras with high resolution sensors and good low light performance offer a certain advantage especially if the goal is to produce large prints or if there is a need for significant cropping. However the more crucial aspect about the camera of choice is the availability of manual controls. It is important for the photographer to be able to set the exposure settings with a certain level of precision to be able to capture the scene better. The choice of lenses depend entirely on the distance of the photographer from the storm which means that shooting from within the area requires a wider lens, and shooting the storm from afar necessitates a telephoto lens. The goal is to fill the frame with the lightning and the ground elements to be able to give it the emphasis and attention that it deserves.
Since shooting involves long exposures, stable support gear are an absolute requirement. The choice of tripod should focus on one that is stable and can keep the camera still even with a bit of wind that usually comes with the storm. Both the gear and the tripod should also be able to withstand a bit of rain since precipitation commonly accompanies thunderstorms. Heavier downpours will either require a rain cover, that is if the rain does not hinder visibility of the clouds and of the lightning strikes.
To make the process much easier and automated, a dedicated lightning photography trigger makes all the difference.
Lightning photography triggers make the process of shooting automated. There are various approaches to photographing lightning and the most basic one is doing so manually while hoping that lightning happens within the exposure time. Another way is to use an intervalometer to keep the camera shooting consecutive exposures whether or not lightning happens.
*Instagram: @baseballsizedhail
Using a smart camera remote trigger like the MIOPS Smart+ gives you the automation of a lightning trigger and many more. The Smart+ can be used for long exposures, time-lapse, HDR, special effects, star trails, and night photography in general. For photographing lightning, the MIOPS Smart+ is equipped with a light sensor that scans the scene for flashes of light that typically happens during a lightning strike. You can set the threshold level of sensitivity depending on the intensity of lightning flashes that you want to capture. When the sensor detects a sudden flash of light that is enough to hit the threshold, it triggers the camera to start an exposure. This way your camera is not simply shooting blindly and wasting exposures on shots wherein no lightning happened but instead giving you only photos wherein lightning actually struck. This doesn’t only automate the process of photographing lightning but also helps lessen the number of shots wasted while waiting for something spectacular.
To better capture how the thunderstorm starts and progresses, shooting a time-lapse is a great option. Since doing interval shooting is one approach to shooting lightning, it requires exactly the same process to produce a time-lapse. Capturing consecutive exposures and compiling them into a video clip allows you to compress the time into a video clip that shows the changes in the environment that would otherwise be too slow to appreciate in real time. If the frequency of lightning pulses is significantly high, the option of using Storm-lapse mode on the Smart+ combines the automation of using the lightning sensor as the camera trigger and the process of producing consecutive exposures together that gives you a collection only of photos wherein lightning struck that can either be used as individual stills, combined into a more encompassing multiple exposure composite image, or to produce a highly dynamic time-lapse sequence of the thunderstorm.
Photographing lightning is a combination of luck, good planning, and preparation. The creative process can be quite a gamble given all the uncertainties surrounding the environment as well as the physical risk of being out during a storm, but when done successfully and with artistic intent, it can result to some of the most impactful and dynamic outdoor photographs that you will ever take.
[blognewsletter]
Blog Credit: Nicco Valenzuela
Nicco started his photographic journey in 2007 practicing the craft as a hobby. Currently, he shoots for various local and international architectural firms and construction companies. Out of his love for sharing his knowledge, Nicco began writing about photography and various pieces of gear.
]]>The post 6 Tips for Better Landscape Photography appeared first on MIOPS.
]]>
Many people assume that what looks good to the human eye, will inevitably look good in an image. While this is often the case, it cannot be assumed. The scale of a flat horizon that sweeps in all directions for miles can be astounding in-person, but without elements within the landscape to help give it a sense of depth and reveal the degree of its vastness, this kind of scene can look extremely flat in a photograph. For this reason, it often helps to seek out ‘foreground subjects’ within a landscape that can form the focal point of your images and give their viewer a sense of scale. This could be a solitary tree, an old building or jetty, a winding river or road, anything to provide an anchor in wider scenes. Just because a tourist board has listed somewhere as a “scenic location”, or a friend loves a particular walk, does not mean that it makes for a stunning image, while otherwise overlooked locations can become the foundation for a masterpiece.
The fastest way to undermine even the strongest competition is to not pay enough attention to the basics of a good image. Is the scene in focus? Is its horizon level? Has it been properly exposed? Is it sharp? These may seem like obvious factors to consider before pressing the shutter, but in the heat of the moment, they are often overlooked by inexperienced photographers. If you want your images to look professional, check, then double check the basics of your settings and composition. Not only will using a tripod help you to ensure a level horizon and shake-free images, but it will also encourage you to slow down your shooting process and be more deliberate in your actions. Narrow apertures such as f/14 will enable you to produce large depths of field so that your entire scene appears within focus, while a camera’s histogram will allow you to monitor for blown out highlights or underexposed shadows. Take your time. Unlike sports or wildlife photography, how quickly you can take your shot is often unimportant, the strength of your composition and technical perfection is.
What lens are you using for your images and why? If you want to capture sweeping views and exaggerate foreground subjects, a wide-angle lens like a 12-24mm or 16-35mm zoom may be your best choice, if you want to pick sections of a landscape to fill the frame or dramatically compress depth, a telephoto lens such as a 70-200mm will be a better choice. What filters are you using? A Graduated Neutral Density filter will hold back a bright sky for a more even exposure, while a solid Neutral Density filter will allow you to extend exposure times for stylish looking streaky skies and ethereal looking blurred water. Decide the kind of image you want to create at a location, and use the right gear to achieve it. It’s better to take two amazing images which you’ve spent an hour setting up for, than hundreds of quick snaps in the hope of grabbing one winner.
Amateur photographers often approach the main subject within their scene by placing it within the middle of the image, while this can be effective for some photos, there are often potential compositions that hold greater impact. Universally recognised rules for composition are a great place to start when framing up your images, they can help you achieve a professional look and balance in shots. Arguably the most important is known as the “Rule Of Thirds. This rule suggests you split your frame equally with two horizontal and two vertical lines to form a grid of nine rectangles. By placing your horizon along either the higher or lower horizontal line, you can achieve an image with a more pleasing balance between the land and sky of a landscape, than if you were to have it sit across the middle. You can try to place major elements of a scene such as foreground subjects, or background mountains on the dissecting vertical lines for greater impact too. The positions in the grid where horizontal and vertical line crosses are known as “power points”, and can be particularly effective areas of the frame for placing your scene’s focal point.
You can also try to use “lead-in” lines to draw a viewer into your image towards a focal point, giving it more impact in the process. These are lines within a scene which encourage a viewer to follow them with their gaze, they could be a road, a fence, a row of trees, almost anything that begins towards the edge of the frame and flows into the image.
One time to consider breaking the rule-of-thirds is when capturing scenes with strong reflections, such as a lake or fjord in the foreground. In this situation, try placing the distant edge of the reflection across the middle of your image for an impact-filled mirrored effect.
Sunset and sunrise are extremely popular times for landscape photography and rightly so, lighting up a location’s sky, they bring colour and drama to scenes for photos with impact. They can bring even the mundane of spots to life. “Golden hour” and “Blue hour” are also extremely popular. Golden hour is the period of time shortly after sunrise and just before sunset where light is warmer and softer than when the sun is higher in the sky, while the blue hour is the period of time just after a sunset and just before sunrise when it’s also diffused but produces deeper blue tones. These two periods of light bring a sense of magic and atmosphere to your images, that wouldn’t have been present in the middle of the day.
These periods also tend to be the most successful for landscape photos as the early and late times of day they occupy mean that fewer walkers/tourists are likely to be strolling through locations to potentially ruin your shots, and you may also benefit from some atmospheric mist or fog before its burnt off by the sun. Where possible, try to shoot on days where skies feature some clouds but are not overcast or totally blue for increased detail and depth. You may not always get the best light for an image on your visit to a location, so don’t be disheartened if low clouds mean you don’t capture the perfect sunset you had planned on your first outing. Many professional landscape photographers will plan multiple trips to a location before being rewarded with the perfectly lit image they had in their mind’s eye.
Sometimes it can be what at first seemed the most insignificant thing within a scene that ruins an image, so try to be aware of every element within your frame. If that hiker wearing a bright red jacket was going to be out of sight in two minutes, consider waiting before taking a shot if you don’t want them to become an unintentional focal point. If there was a rather unattractive road sign visible in the mid-distance that could have been obscured by a tree by moving half a foot to your left, consider shifting your position. Sometimes including or excluding the smallest element within your photo can make all the difference to its success.
It is crucial to set your camera properly if you want to take the highest quality landscape photos. However, with the large range of menu options and settings found in cameras today, it isn’t easy to find the optimal setup. Keep in mind that all of these are personal recommendations rather than absolute necessities, but they will be useful if you are trying to figure out where to start with your own camera in the field.
In a nutshell, here are some basic parameters that could serve as a starting point depending on the lighting conditions and desired effect:
Here are some more detailed settings that are recommended and commonly used by landscape photographers:
A well exposed image results in a photo that's close enough to a sky and foreground, meaning that you can recover any lost details when you process the image. Here are some recommendations:
In conclusion, mastering landscape photography is about embracing a blend of technical skills and creative vision. The landscape photography tips we've shared are designed to enhance your ability to capture compelling landscape shots, whether you're shooting landscapes in your backyard or halfway around the world. Remember, great landscape photography emerges from a deep appreciation of nature and a willingness to explore different perspectives and techniques. By applying these insights to your work, you'll not only improve the quality of your images but also deepen your connection to the natural world. Keep experimenting, stay patient, and most importantly, enjoy the journey of capturing the earth's majestic landscapes.
Related Article: 6 Tips for Better Landscape Photography
About The Author Manuel Delgado:
Manuel Delgado is an award-winning photographer with a specialization in travel and documentary photography. He writes for Contrastly and is a Mentor for NGO Photographers Alliance, having led workshops in Africa with a focus on ethical and humanitarian photography. His work has been exhibited in Europe and the Americas.
Driven by an innate curiosity for his surroundings, Manuel´s process is mainly focused on capturing people in their natural environment; translating through his lens the subtle threads of daily life that are shared across cultures, borders, and races. Depicting people from diverse backgrounds, his work is united by a shared aesthetic that serves to tell each individual’s story. Manuel is currently living in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Manuel Delgado Instagram Profile
Related Article: Adventures With a View – An Interview with Landscape Pro Jason Mihalick
[star star="327"]
[faq q1="What is landscape photography?" a1="Sweeping vistas and timeless waterfalls have always formed the basis for a great photograph, but how is it that some photographers come away with gallery-worthy shots of these landscape locations" q2="What are the classic compositional techniques in landscape photography?" a2="Amateur photographers often approach the main subject within their scene by placing it within the middle of the image, while this can be effective for some photos" q3="Which equipment should be used in landscape photography?" a3="What lens are you using for your images and why? If you want to capture sweeping views and exaggerate foreground subjects, a wide-angle lens like a 12-24mm or 16-35mm zoom may be your best choice"]
]]>In this article, we’ll talk about one of the best genres out there that have turned mundane scenes into ethereal and fantastic images that never fail to amaze: long exposure photography. Here, we’ll first define this type of photography, the camera equipment you need to try it, and long-exposure photo ideas to try for beginners and professionals alike.
Let’s go to the first part of our discussion.
Long exposure photography is a unique creative photography genre that captures the mesmerizing contrast between highly defined stationary and fixed elements against the blurred and obscured patterns of moving elements.
Long exposure is also known as slow-shutter photography because this technique lets your camera’s shutter be left open for a lengthy period of time. When your shutter allows your camera’s lens to let in more light before it completely closes, it can capture blurry, smeared, and obscured trails that add creative drama to your images.
This photography genre is more exciting and dynamic than conventional images. There are different reasons why photographers would want to choose long exposure over a normal photo. Some include creating an effect that mimics the passing of time, capturing smoother water surfaces, mapping out and tracing the motion of the stars, creating patterns of light, and capturing beautiful human movements, such as a ballerina’s dance.
While these reasons may sound intimidating for beginners, did you know that even with regular, entry-level camera equipment, you can easily capture long-exposure images?
Here are the basic camera equipment and accessories you need for long-exposure photography.
Long-exposure photography requires the most basic camera equipment. You don’t have to own the most expensive and advanced gear. You just have to learn how to use your camera’s manual settings and pair your device with the most camera versatile accessories for long exposure photography.
Here is a complete list of everything you need to get started.
Entry-level cameras conveniently have automatic modes so you can easily take photos without worrying about your camera settings. However, if you want to step up and upgrade your photography skills, it’s time to learn how to use the Manual Mode. Using manual mode is crucial to a successful long exposure shot.
In long exposure photography, you will have to adjust multiple settings, especially your shutter speed. As mentioned earlier, this genre of photography uses slow shutter techniques, so your camera should also allow Bulb Mode. While on Bulb Mode, your camera’s shutter will remain open as long as you need it to be.
You also need your other camera settings adjusted to make sure that you’re getting the level of exposure and other aspects of your images right.
You cannot do long exposure photography while manually holding your camera. The technique of using a slow shutter requires your camera to be fixed on a stable platform or tripod, or else, all you’ll get is a blurry image.
Your goal is to achieve a contrast of high-definition static objects and trails and patterns of the moving elements. Remember, do not just rely on your camera or lens’s image stabilization function. The smallest shaking or movement can easily distort your images and waste your effort.
You don’t have to spend on an expensive and bulky tripod. You can go DIY and use stabilizers that will ensure that your mounted camera will stay in place. Seasoned photographers, especially those who shoot outdoors, use bags of sand or rice to weigh down their tripod, especially during harsh, windy weather.
Aside from using a tripod to stabilize your camera and prevent image distortion, using a wireless camera trigger can help you achieve the perfect long exposure photography images you want on your first try.
A remote camera trigger or a wireless camera shutter enables you to signal your camera to shoot from a comfortable distance, without risking blurry shots. Aside from remotely controlling your device, it will also reduce fatigue, especially if you’ve been shooting outside for hours.
Since long exposure shots take a long time, having a wireless trigger with a self-timer mode can help you manage your shots.
So far, these are the basic things that a regular remote camera trigger can offer, but imagine if you’re using an intuitive and versatile camera trigger that combines the power of your smartphone with technologies designed for creative photography! These are offered by both the MIOPS Smart+ and MIOPS FLEX, the most recommended remote camera triggers for long-exposure photography and other photography genres.
MIOPS has transformed how photographers take on the challenging yet exciting world of long exposure photography. Its MIOPS Smart+ has Long Exposure Mode that offers many possibilities for convenient and creative shots.
As a gadget for long exposure photography, you can also choose slow shutter settings, the duration of your shot and how many frames your camera can take per second.
It means that whether you’re trying a low-light, indoor long exposure photography idea or a bright, daytime long exposure idea, you’ll have the best camera settings that adjust to the presence or absence of light, during the shot! With this intuitive function, you don’t have to waste hours getting the best instant shot or post-processing.
Another must-have camera equipment that will help you make difficult daytime long exposure ideas happen is a neutral density filter (ND filter.)
A neutral density filter will prevent the overexposure of your photos, especially if you’re shooting outdoors on a sunny day. How? These filters are designed to reduce and balance the amount of light that enters your camera lens. They can come in different light filtration levels, so it’s best to plan out your shoot to identify the filter strength you need beforehand.
Now that you have all your long exposure camera equipment ready, we can finally go to inspirations and creative long exposure photo ideas that you can try as a beginner.
Using the camera equipment that we listed and the knowledge that you discovered about long exposure photography techniques, you can find these examples easy and fun!
Light, motion, and vibrations provide some of the most spectacular trails and patterns that we can only observe through the lens of our camera. Here are some of the best examples that even beginner photographers with an entry-level camera can try!
One of the most beginner-friendly long exposure photography ideas is taking photos of light trails on a busy highway. These locations are easily accessible and you can find safe locations to set your tripod. However, because this is quite easy, it’s hard to take unique images of the same scene. Your goal is to find a location that will help your photo stand out.
Light trails offer streaks of differently patterned and coloured bands of lights. These light paintings follow the trails of the roads. While you have to focus on them as your subjects, don’t take your background for granted as this can make a huge difference. Shoot your image from a higher angle. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the beautiful landscape that will serve as the light trail’s canvas.
Star trail photography or astrophotography is one of the most beloved contributions of long exposure techniques to the world of capturing the night sky. However, unlike photographing light trails on a busy highway, the stars and heavenly bodies are elusive.
Astrophotography is only possible in remote locations, away from the light pollution of the cities. This will also depend on the weather condition as you’ll need a clear night sky to capture the movement of the stars across the sky.
One of the most interesting indoor long exposure photography ideas you can try is taking a slow-shutter photo of a dancer’s movement. The resulting image of an interestingly smooth and obscured image is beyond evocative, capturing the beauty of the human body, and the freedom and passion of dance.
A long exposure technique adds eerie and enigmatic elements to creative portraitures, especially if you’re framing a Halloween-themed shot. Imagine how a long shutter effect can deliver ghostly apparitions and double images through repetitive exposures of the same elements. You can also use the same technique when creating a narrative photography portfolio under the same theme.
When you see photos of a famous landmark, most images just focus on the structure. Sometimes, the images are empty and lifeless in an effort to emphasize the beauty of its architecture. However, through long exposure photography, you can capture a unique image that visually narrates a more interesting story.
Including the busy movement of crowds, tourists, pedestrians, and other elements in your frame, against a famous global landmark as a background will not just add life to your photo. It will deliver a timeless image that is full of life and filled with stories.
Let’s also not forget the landscape photography genres that have been transformed with the introduction of long-exposure photography techniques. Rising smoke and thickening fog on a mountainside, flowing rivers, raging waves, and dancing waterfalls, are some of the best images that this genre has captured through the years.
You can add to this collection by exploring the great outdoors and capturing the movements and patterns that these natural elements can offer.
Light painting, light performance art, and light drawing are all made possible using basic time lapse techniques. Set up your tripod, leave your shutter open for a longer period, and start drawing or painting patterns using light sticks, flash bombs, and other sources. Don’t hesitate to use different colors and light intensities! It will add more texture and depth to your images.
Smoke bomb photography is one of the emerging styles of commercial photography, especially when taking portrait photos of product models. Depending on how you use them, these props can deliver cool and awesome effects to your portraits. Some photographers even use this equipment for Halloween-themed portraits and other creative photography ideas.
Using long exposure tricks, you can take advantage of the creative clouds and colors that your smoke bombs produce. You can even just focus on smoke as your primary subject and contribute to the emerging genre of Smoke Photography.
Just like how waterdrop photographers focus on droplets and splashes of clear or colored water, smoke photography (also known as smoke art photography) as a genre relies on chance, luck, and imagination! Smoke art photography can be done indoors or outdoors, too! Just make sure you have the proper lighting equipment to help emphasize the unique patterns and flow of your subject.
We provided you with the definition, camera equipment information, and subject ideas to help you get started on long-exposure photography. Hopefully, we have also inspired you to think of more unique ways to take advantage of this camera technique.
While your creativity and imagination can help you capture unique long exposure images, you shouldn’t also take for granted how pairing your camera with the right gadgets can up your game in this genre.
We’ve introduced how MIOPS and its Smart+ model can conveniently deliver spectacular long-exposure images for beginners and professionals alike. This gadget, however, can cover more and help you take on some of the most advanced and challenging photography techniques today, especially lightning photography.
Know more about long exposure photography now!
[star star="239"]
Blog Credit: Charm Villalon
Charm is a writer and a visual artist. Her drive to share ideas and stories is evident in her background in communication arts and language studies. Years of professional experience in content creation have given her a broad proficiency with the process of engaging online communities. An appreciation for multiple languages and cultures drives her to seek out experiences and capture these moments through her writing, digital art, and photography.
]]>Astrophotography is all about taking pictures of space objects like the moon and stars, and special sky events like meteor showers. When you capture a big part of the sky full of stars, that's astrophotography too. Popular types of astrophotography include creating star trails and photographing the Milky Way.
For long exposure photography, which is key in astrophotography, you need to keep the camera's shutter open longer than you usually would. While a one or two-second exposure might be enough for indoor photography, it won't work for capturing the night sky. Astrophotographers often start with exposures of five to ten seconds to try different settings.
Standard exposures can range from 30 seconds to 15 minutes, depending on how faint the object is and the lens you're using. This is where devices like the MIOPS Smart+ camera trigger come in handy. It lets you control the exposure time precisely, ensuring you capture the beauty of the night sky without any shake from manually pressing the shutter button.
For those new to this hobby, remember that astrophotography requires patience and a good grasp of photography techniques to get that stunning shot regardless of your camera setup. The time and effort you put into this photography type are worth it as the results can be truly spectacular.
Photographing the night sky with a DSLR or mirrorless camera is more accessible now than ever. Modern cameras excel at high ISO settings, crucial for capturing the stunning details of the night sky.
Before you start shooting, it's essential to know your location and what you want to capture. This foresight is especially important. You'll want to avoid any unwanted elements like tree branches or city lights in your composition.
Planning is key, and tools like the Sun Moon Expert Photo Planner app are invaluable. They help ensure that features like the Milky Way complement your foreground elements perfectly, enhancing your star trails and long exposure shots.
Getting your camera settings right is crucial in long exposure night photography. Adjusting the aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and white balance is vital to capturing the perfect shot. These settings depend on the lighting, your subject, and how much blur or noise you want in your image.
Using the appropriate camera accessories can significantly enhance your photography experience. They help improve your shots and keep your camera stable – a must for capturing clear star trails. Safety is also a priority when shooting at night, as you may encounter wildlife, theft, or bad weather.
Composition is another challenge. Finding a strong focal point, framing your scene effectively, and adding drama are all part of the creative process in astrophotography. Post-processing is the final step, where you can fine-tune your images, adjusting for graininess, color balance, and exposure.
To summarize, successful photos requires thorough planning and preparation. Know your equipment, location, and the shot you aim to capture. Envision, plan, and then execute to capture the breathtaking beauty of the night sky, be it star trails or long-exposure celestial scenes.
Astrophotography is a fascinating and challenging genre of photography that captures the celestial wonders of the night sky. For beginners with a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a good start is photographing the Moon, star trails, and even some basic deep-space objects.
This involves using a wide-angle lens to capture vast sections of the night sky, often including a landscape feature. It’s a great way to showcase the grandeur of the Milky Way, the glow of the aurora, or the mesmerizing paths of star trails with our planet. Beginners often use a DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens for this kind of photography to take pictures of starry skies or star trails over landscapes.
This advanced form targets faint and distant objects in the night sky, like nebulae, stars, and galaxies. The aim is to bring out the intricate details and colors of these distant celestial bodies, invisible to the naked eye. It requires more specialized equipment, including a telescope, a camera capable of long exposures, and a tracking mount to follow the sky's motion.
This type focuses on capturing the sun, moon, and planets within our solar system. The objective is to detail features like sunspots, lunar craters, planetary rings, and moons. While telescopes are commonly used for these shots, a DSLR camera with a super-telephoto lens can also yield impressive results.
An extension of wide-field astrophotography, this involves taking multiple images of the night sky over time, and then merging them into a video or a single composite image. The goal is to showcase the sky's motion, like the stars' rotation, the moon's movements, or a comet’s journey. The same technique is used to create captivating star trail images, illustrating the Earth's rotation relative to the stars.
Milky Way Photography
This type focuses on capturing our home galaxy, the Milky Way. Light pollution can make it challenging to see its details, so astrophotographers often seek out remote, dark locations. Essential gear includes a wide-angle lens, a tracking mount for long exposures, and a camera capable of such exposures.
Milky Way photography is particularly awe-inspiring, showing the vast beauty of our galaxy. With the right equipment and technique, stunning images can be captured, even without tracking.
Remember, tools like the MIOPS Smart+ camera trigger can greatly assist in capturing these types of images, especially for long exposure and time-lapse photography. They allow for precise control and stability, essential for the clear, detailed images.
For astrophotography, the best equipment depends on your budget and what's available to you. While smartphone cameras are improving rapidly, a DSLR camera with interchangeable lenses is more suitable. A DSLR with strong low-light capabilities is ideal. Full-frame sensor cameras are preferable for their larger sensor area to capture more light, but crop sensor cameras can also achieve good results.
When choosing a DSLR or mirrorless camera for astrophotography and capturing star trails, factors like sensor size, resolution, noise performance, battery life, and lens compatibility are important.
For lenses, start with what you have, like an 18-55mm kit lens. If you have faster lenses like a 14-24mm f/2.8 or primes like a 24mm f/1.4, those are excellent choices too.
A tripod is essential for all types of night sky photography. Since you'll be keeping the camera steady for several seconds to minutes, a sturdy tripod, ideally with a ball head, is crucial.
The MIOPS Smart+ allows comprehensive remote control through a smartphone app, managing shutter speed, shot intervals, and more. With this device, managing the shutter, aperture, and exposure values becomes effortless, making it a game-changer for capturing star trails and long exposures.
When planning your photography session, tackling light pollution is a key challenge. For clear, detailed images of the night sky, you'll need to find a dark sky area, far from the bright lights of the city.
A big part of shoot planning is knowing exactly where in the sky your subject will be and how it fits into your composition. The night sky is in constant motion, with the position of stars and the Milky Way changing throughout the year. Knowing where your celestial subject will be at the time of your shoot is crucial. To assist with this, smartphone apps like the Sun Moon Expert Photo Planner are invaluable.
Incorporating the Sun Moon Expert app into your photography process can significantly enhance your results. Here’s a quick rundown:
Dream: Visualize the scene you want to capture. It could be anything from a landscape silhouette against a sunset to the Milky Way arching across the sky.
Plan: Use the Sun Moon Expert app to determine the perfect time for your envisioned shot. The app provides detailed information on sun and moon positions, Milky Way alignments, and more.
Capture: Armed with this data, head out to your chosen location, set up your gear, and capture that magical moment.
In astrophotography, where precision is key, tools like the Sun Moon Expert app are crucial. They bridge the gap between missing a shot and capturing a stunning image. With the ability to track celestial bodies accurately and plan comprehensively, you’re well-equipped to turn your astrophotography dreams into reality.
In astrophotography, where you're capturing objects in low light, understanding and adjusting your camera settings is key. The two main factors controlling your exposure are shutter speed and aperture. In this photography type, you'll mostly be working with long exposures.
Shutter speed refers to the duration for which your camera's shutter remains open to allow light to hit the sensor. For astrophotography, a longer shutter speed is necessary. However, the longer the shutter is open, the more you'll capture star trails due to Earth's rotation.
If you want to avoid star trails in wide-field astrophotos, it's important to know how long to expose before trails appear. The Star Trail Calculator or the 500 Rule/NPF Calculator in the Sun Moon Expert app can help determine the right shutter speed for your shots.
ISO measures your camera sensor's sensitivity to light. Higher ISO settings make your image brighter but can also increase graininess. In astrophotography, a balance is needed — a high enough ISO to capture faint celestial objects without adding too much noise. Typically, ISO settings between 400-1600 work well, but you can go higher if necessary and correct some of the noise in post-processing.
White balance removes color casts to give you neutral whites in your images. It's crucial in astrophotography to manually set white balance to capture the true colors of stars and planets. While the daylight setting (around 5200K) is a common choice, night sky images often require cooler settings in the 3200-4800K range. Experiment with these settings to see what works best for your images.
Capture your images in RAW format to ensure the greatest flexibility in post-processing editing.
Set your focus to Manual.
White Balance: Start with the daylight setting and adjust as needed (around 3200-4800K).
Aperture: Use the widest setting possible for your lens.
Shutter Speed: Use the Sun Moon Expert 500 Rule/NPF Rule calculator to find the ideal setting based on your focal length.
ISO: Adjust between 400-12800 based on your histogram.
Use the MIOPS Smart+ remote to trigger the shutter. This tool is especially helpful for long exposure shots, as it minimizes camera shake and allows precise control over your exposure times.
By mastering these settings and utilizing tools like the MIOPS Smart+ and the Sun Moon Expert app, you can significantly enhance your experience, capturing stunning images of the night sky.
Here are some practical tips:
Choose the Right Camera and Lens: Use a camera that excels in low light conditions, like a DSLR or mirrorless camera. For lenses, wide-angle ones are great for capturing expansive sky scenes like the Milky Way, while telephoto lenses are ideal for zooming in on specific celestial objects.
Sturdy Tripod is a Must: A solid tripod is crucial to avoid camera shake and blur. Make sure it’s well-positioned and stable before you start shooting. Any movement during a long exposure will disrupt your image.
Pre-Plan Your Shoot: Research and plan when and where to shoot your chosen subject, whether it's the Milky Way, the moon, or planets. Certain times of the year offer better visibility for different celestial objects.
Camera Settings: Switch your camera to manual mode for both exposure and focus. Opt for a fast aperture (between f/2.8 and f/4), a high ISO (ranging from 400 to 1600 or higher), and a long shutter speed (15-30 seconds or more). Utilize the rule of 500 to prevent star trails.
Shoot in RAW: This format preserves the most detail and color in your images, giving you more flexibility in post-processing. Use the histogram to ensure you’re not losing details in the highlights or shadows.
Focus Manually: Use manual focus to ensure sharp images and employ a remote shutter release or self-timer to prevent camera vibrations. For precise focusing, use live view and zoom in on a bright star or distant light.
Post-Processing: Edit your images to enhance colors, contrast, sharpness, and reduce noise. Programs like Photoshop, Lightroom, or Aperture offer extensive editing capabilities, particularly beneficial when working with RAW files.
Remember, tools like the MIOPS Smart+ trigger can greatly enhance your experience, especially when it comes to managing long exposures. It minimizes the risk of camera shake and allows precise control, ensuring sharp, clear images of the night sky.
In conclusion, astrophotography offers an awe-inspiring gateway into the wonders of the night sky, blending the art of photography with the majesty of celestial phenomena. By equipping yourself with the right gear, understanding the crucial camera settings, and employing practical tips, you can capture breathtaking images of the cosmos.
Whether you're photographing the Milky Way, chasing star trails, or capturing long exposures of distant celestial bodies, remember that patience and practice are your best allies. Tools like the MIOPS Smart+ trigger and the Sun Moon Expert app can significantly elevate your experience, providing the precision and control needed for stunning astrophotography. So, venture out under the starry sky, embrace the challenges, and immortalize the beauty of the universe through your lens.
]]>This technique shines especially bright in night photography, allowing photographers to snap breathtaking shots with effects that look out of this world. Long exposure can change a scene in ways our eyes just can't see on their own, making the invisible, visible.
Curious about how long exposure photography brings these stunning images to life? Keep reading to find out more.
]]>
This technique shines especially bright in night photography, allowing photographers to snap breathtaking shots with effects that look out of this world. Long exposure can change a scene in ways our eyes just can't see on their own, making the invisible, visible.
Curious about how long exposure photography brings these stunning images to life? Keep reading to find out more.
Long exposure, or what some call slow shutter photography, is all about using a slower shutter speed. This allows the camera to take in more of the scene over a longer period of time, capturing movements and effects that we normally can't see with just our eyes.
Using this method, photographers can make still objects look sharp and detailed, while anything moving in the scene gets a dreamy, blurred effect. Think of those pictures where the sea looks misty and magical around sharp rocks, or the sky is streaked with star trails – those are classic examples of long exposure shots.
The primary purpose of long exposure photography is to blur moving elements while keeping stationary objects sharp and in focus. This technique is often used to convey a sense of motion or to smooth out dynamic elements, such as water or clouds, creating a serene and almost surreal effect. It can also turn lights in motion, like car headlights or stars, into beautiful streaks across the image.
Long exposure photography is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of subjects. Popular subjects include landscapes, cityscapes, and night scenes. Specific examples include:
Long exposure photography involves taking photos over a much longer period than your camera's default settings suggest. Instead of the quick snaps usually taken at speeds like 1/50th of a second or faster, you'll be letting the shutter stay open for half a second or more. This slower pace is what creates those magical, extended-moment effects.
Also read: How to Shoot the Perfect Long Exposure Time Lapse
If Manual mode feels a bit daunting, don't worry! You can still explore long exposure photography using semi-manual or priority modes. Here's how you can adjust key settings:
Also read: Understanding Camera Modes for High-speed Photography Triggering
To dive into the world of long exposure photography, you'll need a few key pieces of equipment. Here's a basic rundown to get you started:
Camera: Naturally, your camera is the most essential piece of equipment. You don't necessarily need a DSLR; many advanced point-and-shoot cameras come equipped with a Shutter Priority mode, making them suitable for long exposure shots.
Tripod: A sturdy tripod is crucial for long exposure photography. It ensures your camera stays perfectly still during the extended exposure times. Make sure to invest in a reliable tripod that can withstand slight movements or breezes without budging.
Miops Smart+: To avoid camera shake from pressing the shutter button, consider using a camera remote like the Miops Smart+. This device acts as a remote shutter release, enabling you to take pictures without having to touch the camera. The Miops Smart+ camera remote not only minimizes the risk of blurry images but also offers advanced features that can enhance your long exposure photography experience. The Miops Smart+ is versatile, supporting various photography techniques including time-lapse, HDR, remote shooting, and of course, long exposure.
To nail those breathtaking long exposure shots, your gear is crucial, but so are other elements like your chosen subject, the timing of your shoot, and even the weather. Here are some straightforward tips to help you capture stunning long exposure images:
Pick Your Subject Wisely: Long exposure works wonders with scenes where you can contrast moving elements with static ones. City lights, flowing landscapes, and the dynamic sea are perfect subjects to start with.
Watch the Weather: Believe it or not, a bit of wind and some clouds can be your best friends for long exposure photography. They add movement and drama to the sky. Always check the weather forecast before planning your shoot to ensure conditions are on your side.
Scout Your Location Early: Take a day to visit your chosen spot before the actual shoot. This is crucial for finding the ideal place to set up your tripod, especially in dim light situations. Use this time to imagine your shots and figure out the best composition.
Timing is Everything: The soft light of early morning or late evening is gold for long exposure photography, reducing the need for ND filters and letting you play more with natural conditions for creative effects.
Keep It Clean: A long exposure means your camera's shutter is open for a while, so any dust on your lens or filter could spoil your shot. A quick clean before you start and between shots can make a huge difference, saving you the headache of fixing things later in editing.
Remember, long exposure photography is as much about patience and preparation as it is about technique. With these tips in hand, you're well on your way to capturing those dreamy, motion-blurred images that long exposure is famous for.
Long exposure photography can transform ordinary scenes into breathtaking images. To inspire you and spark your creativity, let's explore a few examples of how this technique can be applied across different subjects:
Cityscapes at Night: Imagine a bustling city at night, where the lights of moving cars blur into glowing rivers of color against the sharp, still outlines of buildings. These long exposure shots capture the vibrant energy of city life in a way that feels almost magical.
Waterfalls and Rivers: By using a slow shutter speed, water in motion becomes a silky, smooth cascade. The contrast between the soft water and the sharp, stationary rocks or surrounding landscape creates a serene and dreamy effect that's utterly captivating.
Star Trails: When photographing the night sky over a long period, stars appear as light trails circling the sky, painting patterns of time and motion. This technique showcases the beauty of the cosmos in a way that feels both vast and intimate.
Seascapes: Long exposure can make the ocean look like a misty, ethereal plane, with waves appearing as soft fog around rocks or piers. The calmness of the water contrasts beautifully with the solidity of the landscape, offering a peaceful and surreal perspective.
Light Painting: This fun and creative technique involves moving a light source in front of the camera during a long exposure. The result is a photograph where light trails form dynamic shapes and patterns, limited only by your imagination.
These examples are just the beginning. Long exposure photography opens up endless possibilities for capturing the world in unique and surprising ways. Whether you're drawn to the calmness of a mist-covered lake at dawn or the frenetic energy of a city at rush hour, long exposure can add a layer of depth and intrigue to your images that transcends the ordinary. Let these examples inspire you to experiment with time and motion in your photography, creating your own stunning, long-exposure masterpieces.
Long exposure photography is one of the techniques that will allow you to create those ethereal shots that most people find heavenly. The production may be tedious, but once the final output comes out, you will see that it is worth it.
For more information, tricks and tips on how to improve your photography skills and creativity, feel free to read our blog. You can also check our shop and discover other amazing products that will help you take your photography to the next level.
Related Article: What is a High-Speed Camera Trigger and How Does it Work?
[star star="234"]
[faq q1="what is long exposure?" a1="This technique lets the photographer capture the motionless objects vividly, while the moving elements are blurred." q2="What Equipment to Bring for long exposure shots?" a2="The following list contains the basic tools and gadgets that you need in order to achieve your long exposure photography goals." q3="How long exposure is Done?" a3="The long exposure technique is basically about engaging in a longer shooting duration than the standard time set by your camera’s photometer."]
]]>The post How to Take the Extraordinary Lightning Photos appeared first on MIOPS.
]]>
In this high-speed photography tutorial, we'll first talk about how to use MIOPS Smart+ to take photos of lightning, then see how to make our photos extraordinary. Please note that shooting lightning can be dangerous so safety is important, stay safe. This is the first article about high speed photography without flash.
Okay, let’s talk about how to use MIOPS Smart+ lightning trigger for capturing pictures of lightning. First, we need to find a location that an open sky and has interesting foreground elements, like high-rise buildings, mountains, or trees. Photos with only lightning in the sky are much less interesting than those with a foreground that provides depth and perspective. Scout two to three locations in advance and also keep an eye on the weather so you can be there well in advance.
First, you need a DSLR camera or any other camera that can be controlled remotely. For this type of photography, using a wide angle lens is best as it has a large field of view, capturing a more substantial portion of the sky where lightning may strike. A tripod is also a must, and make sure you have something to cover yourself and your camera to protect it from the rain.
Fix your camera on a tripod and set the frame, making sure you have interesting elements in your frame. Now focus on the foreground and take a shot, which we will use later.
Now bring out the MIOPS Smart+ and attach it to your camera. Set it to the "Lightning" mode and the sensitivity to about 95%. Set your camera to manual mode, the ISO to 200, aperture somewhere between f/8 – f/11 and shutter speed to 1/125. The shutter speed in this scenario doesn't make a difference as the lightning strike is for a very short burst of time. Finally, don't forget to set your lens the manual focus.
Once everything is setup, start your MIOPS Smart+ trigger and wait for lightning to strike. As soon as lightning strikes, your camera should take a picture. If it's not, increase the sensitivity of the trigger.
When your camera takes the first shot, check it, and make changes to your camera settings accordingly. If it's too dark, increase the ISO or change the aperture to open it wider. If it's overexposed, decrease the ISO or narrow the aperture. Changing the shutter speed won't make any difference. Make sure these shots have only lightning, and the rest of the frame should be totally dark.
Once you are satisfied with the exposure, leave the camera and let it take 10-12 shots. If you want to take more shots using different angles or with another foreground element, repeat the same process, and take one foreground shot and 10-12 other shots.
Once back home, it's time to have a hot coffee. After warming up with your coffee, download all the images on your computer - it's time to merge your images and make them extraordinary. We are going to use Photoshop® for this. If you don't have Photoshop®, you can download a trial version from their website.
Open your foreground image (remember the first shot with foreground elements in focus). Now open your 5-6 lightning best shots lightning photos. Select these shots, copy and paste on your foreground shot one by one.
You should now have one file with one foreground layer and 5-6 lightning layers. Close all other files - we don't need them anymore. Now look at your layer palette at the right side, you'll find all the layers there. If it's not there, click on Windows at the top menu and open it by clicking on Layers.
Now it's time to hide all layers except the foreground layer. Select the layer that is just above the foreground layer and unhide it - (i.e., make it visible). Change its blending mode to "Lighten" and reduce its opacity between 50-70%. When you do this, only the lighting will be visible, and the rest of the frame will be hidden automatically. Repeat this process with all the layers, and voilà, you have an image with lots of lightning flashes. At this point, you'll probably be thinking, "Oh my God, it's the same picture I saw on the internet and always wanted to shoot!"
Once you are satisfied with your picture, merge all the layers, and export your image. Now share it all over the internet and get ready to receive thousands of likes and comments. Don't forget to share them here too!
In conclusion, the challenge of capturing the raw beauty and power of lightning strikes is made significantly easier with the MIOPS Smart+ lightning trigger. This innovative device ensures that photographers, regardless of skill level, can seize the moment lightning illuminates the sky, without relying on luck or perfect timing.
By automating the capture process with precise, lightning-fast triggers, it opens up new possibilities for stunning photography. Whether you're fascinated by the science of storms or simply captivated by their beauty, equipping yourself with the right tools like the MIOPS Smart+ can transform your lightning photography from a game of chance to an art form.
Related Article: 10 Things You Can Do with a Camera Trigger
Related Article: Lightning Explore Site
Ramakant Sharda is an author, iOS App publisher, passionate photographer and a MIOPS Ambassador based in the beautiful “Pink City” of India, known as Jaipur. His work has been published in various magazines, newspapers, and blogs. He has published three Coffee Table Books, he writes about photography and also teaches photography in his workshops. Check out his website http://ClickManic.com to see the masterpieces created by him or download his free app for iPhone and iPad “30 Days to an Ace Photographer“.
[star star="367"]
[faq q1="how to make extraordinary lightning photos?" a1="You should now have one file with one foreground layer and 5-6 lightning layers. Close all other files - we don't need them anymore." q2="how to shoot lightning photos with camera trigger?" a2="Once everything is setup, start your MIOPS trigger and wait for lightning to strike. As soon as lightning strikes, your camera should take a picture. If it's not, increase the sensitivity of the trigger." q3="which gears are need gor lightning photography?" a3="First, you need a DSLR camera or any other camera that can be controlled remotely. For this type of photography, using a wide angle lens is best as it has a large field of view"]
]]>Are you amused by how light painting photos are created? Do you also want to learn this technique to add some new tricks to your photography skills?
]]>First of all, what is light graffiti? More commonly known as light painting, this kind of photography requires drawing some shapes in the air using a light source and applying long exposure to capture the formed images. This art is actually one of the most fun types of night photography which allows you to play around with your photos using colorful or attractive lights.
Light graffiti works by shooting in an extremely dark location, meaning there is a very low light involved. During this time, the sensor of your camera is like a blank canvas. Now, using your light source, you will draw or paint on where you desire the exposure to be. The common light sources used are a flashlight, torch, fire, sparkler, and light stick.
Aside from the light source, there are other requirements for capturing light graffiti. They are the following:
To help you to capture amazing light graffiti photos, you can try these tips on your own. They are usually done by professional photographers who are into night photography:
The lower the light involved is, the more effective your light graffiti will be. You will be able to produce stronger light images. For this reason, you should better go to a place out of the city, like wood or beach.
To keep your trials-and-errors to the minimal, it is better to preplan your shoot. Preplan the place, the shapes you want to create, the light source/s to use, and the final output you envision. You should also decide on how long the exposure will be and the direction of your ‘painting with light’.
The more colorful your images are, the more incredible the effects will be. That is why it is advisable that you try different light sources. This will keep your pictures from being flat and plain-looking.
The exposure you get from light graffiti or light trails depends a lot on light intensity. For this reason, you better select dimmable light sources. For better results, you have to vary the light intensity according to what you desire to see in order for all parts of your images receive the perfect amount of light.
A hotspot is that circle of light that you see in the middle of the flashlight beam. If you use a flashlight with a hotspot, you will be having a hard time adjusting the light beams for the finer details in the image. If you cannot afford to buy a flashlight without a hotspot, you can be resourceful by putting a wax paper or tissue paper over the flashlight lens to reduce the hotspot.
If you are planning to come up with complicated patterns, you need exposure for at least 10 seconds. For light graffiti that uses more than one color, you need at least 20 seconds. You can also use the bulb mode in long exposure photography.
Related Article: How To Take Light Trail Photos
Yes, the more light sources you use, the more creative your output will be. However, avoid putting too many images in one frame because it will appear cluttered. You need to have a focus point in a single frame so you can set your lens to manual focus. The simpler your image is, the more professional looking it will be.
In order to get the best light painting images, light painters take multiple shots. Taking as many shots as possible will allow you to take care of each photo part separately. This is necessary when creating light graffiti photos.
It is not wise to manually press the release button of your shutter to make the shutter open while the camera is mounted on a tripod. This can result in movements that will cause your images to be blurry. To avoid this, it is best to use a camera trigger. MIOPS Smart Camera Trigger will allow you to take shots remotely. This is manageable by using a mobile app, meaning you can release the shutter by just using your phone.
Yes, you can use a model in light graffiti, as long as that person is willing to stand or sit still for the long exposure shots. If you have a model, then you can integrate a flash. For best results, you need to incorporate strobist to light graffiti to freeze your subject.
To make sure that you get the best outcome for your light graffiti, do not forget to include other night photography methods. There are many techniques that can help you achieve your desired outputs, such as Long Exposure Noise Reduction (LENR) and Mirror Lock-up.
Night photography is one of the most fascinating genres of photography. Those who are not knowledgeable about this type may think the images are just the products of Photoshop editing. However, people admire such pictures more once they find out how they are created through long exposure using light sources.
If you want to learn more about long exposure and the other techniques that are involved in night photography, you can browse MIOPS photography blog. Aside from light graffiti, there are other interesting topics about night photography that you would surely not want to miss.
Related Article: How to Make Light Painting Orbs
Related Article: Light Trails Photography Tips and Tricks
[star star="311"]
[faq q1="what is light painting photography?" a1="First of all, what is light graffiti? More commonly known as light painting, this kind of photography requires drawing some shapes in the air using a light source and applying long exposure to capture the formed images." q2="What do You Need for light painting photography?" a2="aside from the light source, there are other requirements for capturing light graffiti. They are the following" q3="what are the night photography techniques?" a3="To make sure that you get the best outcome for your light graffiti, do not forget to include other night photography methods."]
]]>So, what is a lightning trigger? In simple terms, it's a device that connects to your camera and automatically triggers the shutter when it detects a lightning strike. This means you can capture lightning photographs with precision and ease, without the guesswork or constant manual clicking.
But why do you need a lightning trigger in your camera gear? The answer lies in the unique nature of lightning photography. Capturing the fleeting beauty of a lightning strike requires not just good timing but impeccable timing—something that's nearly impossible to achieve manually. A lightning trigger does the hard work for you, sensing the lightning bolt's initial flash and capturing the moment perfectly, every time.
A lightning trigger is a handy gadget you can add to your camera setup. Its main job is to help you catch those quick flashes of lightning without the fear of missing out on a great photo. This device comes packed with special features aimed specifically at snapping lightning photos.
Think of it as an additional piece for your photography kit. Some lightning triggers work on their own, while others can be operated remotely. The best part? They’re made to work with lots of different camera brands, so you won't have to worry about compatibility issues.
ALSO READ: How to Capture Lightning Strikes
At the heart of a lightning trigger is its built-in lightning sensor, the key component that allows it to detect lightning strikes. This advanced sensor is what sets modern lightning triggers apart from previous models, providing the precision needed to capture lightning at the right moment. The sensor is finely tuned to pick up even the slightest flash of lightning, ensuring that the trigger can respond instantly.
Beyond helping you capture stunning lightning photos, this technology also doubles as a safety feature, alerting you to nearby lightning storms, which is crucial for photographers who find themselves in potentially dangerous situations while chasing the perfect shot.
ALSO READ: How Do Lightning Triggers Work?
A lightning trigger directly attaches to your camera, linking up with the camera's shutter system to act as an alternative way to activate the shutter. Designed to be sleek and lightweight, it integrates seamlessly with your camera, essentially becoming part of it.
This direct connection enables the trigger to precisely manage the camera's functions necessary for capturing lightning, ensuring that when nature puts on a show, your setup is ready to capture every electrifying moment without missing a beat.
Lightning strikes are incredibly fast, often lasting just a fraction of a second. Capturing such fleeting moments using only your camera's manual shutter can be nearly impossible, as human reflexes aren't quick enough to catch them, and the camera's shutter speed needs to be set just right.
That's where the lightning trigger comes into play. It automatically sets off your camera's shutter the moment it detects a lightning flash. What's more, it gives you the flexibility to adjust the number of shots taken per second. This means you can tailor your setup to ensure you don't just capture a lightning strike, but you capture it with the precision and frequency that best suits the scene you're trying to photograph.
A lightning trigger's capabilities go beyond simply sensing a lightning strike and snapping a photo. If you're using a smart trigger, you'll have access to even more advanced features. One such feature is a timer that allows you to set a delay on the trigger's activation relative to the detected lightning flash.
This timing feature is incredibly useful for capturing sequences of multiple lightning strikes, giving you the control to capture each one with precision. Moreover, it opens up creative possibilities for your lightning photography, allowing you to experiment with and replicate specific timing settings for future shoots. Simply save your preferred settings on the device, and they'll be ready for you whenever the next storm rolls in, ensuring you can consistently create breathtaking lightning images.
A lightning trigger isn't just a one-trick pony; it's a versatile tool capable of more than just capturing lightning. Many high-speed camera triggers, designed for lightning photography, are also equipped to handle a variety of other photography styles, such as high-speed events, HDR (High Dynamic Range) imaging, and time-lapse photography.
These triggers often come with a specialized "Lightning Mode" tailored specifically for lightning photography. This mode includes a suite of features and functions optimized for snapping the perfect lightning shots. The customization within Lightning Mode is designed to meet the unique challenges of capturing lightning, incorporating many of the functionalities we've discussed, like precise timing and sensitivity adjustments. Whether you're aiming to capture the raw power of a thunderstorm or the delicate dance of lightning across the sky, Lightning Mode equips you with the right tools to do so effectively.
In wrapping up, the introduction of lightning triggers to the photography world has been nothing short of revolutionary, especially for those passionate about capturing the fleeting beauty of lightning. These devices, with their ability to attach directly to cameras, offer a bridge between the unpredictable spectacle of lightning and the photographer's desire to capture it. From the crucial light sensor that detects the initial flash to the specialized Lightning Mode that fine-tunes the shooting experience, lightning triggers are designed to enhance the capabilities of photographers at all levels.
The ability to automatically trigger the camera’s shutter in response to lightning, adjust the timing of shots, and utilize a device compatible with various camera brands opens up a world of possibilities. Whether it's the raw intensity of a storm or the serene beauty of a distant bolt, a lightning trigger ensures you're equipped to capture these moments with precision and creativity.
For anyone looking to dive into the exciting realm of lightning photography, a lightning trigger is an indispensable tool. It not only simplifies the technical challenges but also amplifies the potential for stunning, once-in-a-lifetime shots. As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible in photography, the lightning trigger stands out as a testament to the incredible synergy between technology and the natural world.
Related Article: Lightning Explore Site
Related Article: Understanding Camera Modes for High-speed Photography Triggering
[star star="246"]
[faq q1="what is a lightning trigger?" a1="Lightning triggers have become a must-have for all photographers. This is true especially for assisting amateur and professionals in their high-speed photo sessions" q2="what are the must have features of a lightning trigger?" a2="A Light Sensor is important so that a lightning trigger can do what it does best: detect lightning bursts." q3="what is lightning mode in a camera trigger?" a3="A lightning trigger can be a trigger that is capable of accomplishing other feats. For example, high-speed trigger devices are also lightning triggers."]
]]>
Since I have been engaged in panoramic photography, I have been interested in automated panoramic heads. I have looked at almost every product available on the market, and the idea of a unique design also crossed my mind. I had several motorized panoramic heads, but there was always too much compromise. I've been looking for a lightweight, modular, and easy-to-use product ever since.
This is why I paid attention to motorized time-lapse rotators, which can easily be used to build an automated panoramic head. At the end of 2022, I bought a Capsule360 to test my vision with a traditional panoramic head. After that, I contacted MIOPS that I would like to write a more serious article about the new Capsule Pro in terms of panoramic photography. The company supported my idea and sent me two new Capsule Pro and a MIOPS L-bracket Pro in early 2023.
[capsulepro]
Basically, an automated panoramic head requires only two motorized rotators (Pan & Tilt) and an L-bracket. However, since the main profile of these products is more time-lapse and other video content, their panoramic head accessory is difficult to meet the expectations of a professional panoramic photographer.
In the picture above you can see three different types of MIOPS L-bracket, their shortcomings are as follows:
Regardless of all this, MIOPS L-bracket Pro works great for time-lapse shots and videos, as well as for shooting simple panoramas. A lightweight accessory with good mounting and fastening mechanics for two-axis movement.
In my opinion, when it comes to panoramic photography, there is much greater potential in Capsule Pro. This, however, requires a more well-thought-out L-bracket, which is structurally closer to the design of traditional panoramic heads.
Since there are quite a few simple and modular L-plates on the Internet that I also have, I started building from them in the first place. The image below shows the very first version.
Although it worked quite well, I was not entirely satisfied with it. I started studying the MIOPS L-bracket Pro, because placing the Tilt motor on the other side was a really good idea:
I wanted to transfer this solution into my version of L-bracket, but this required more serious planning and manufacturing. Finally, the following custom-made parts were added to my improved panoramic head:
In this case, the Tilt arm is just a simple macro rail, which has also got some modifications. Of course, there are other panoramic heads that contain such macro rails, but in this case I only chose them because of their simplicity and thinness.
After the production of special accessories, let's see what components my panoramic head for Capsule Pro consists of. Of course this is only one concept among many, and it’s also just a quick presentation. Within this line, it is possible to design a completely new product or to expand the function of an already existing product with only a few additional components.
Since the rotating part taken from the MIOPS L-bracket has been placed on top of the vertical Arca Swiss Plate, the Tilt Capsule Pro is a little higher than necessary. This is of course useful in many cases, but it would still be better to create a shorter or adjustable version.
Let's see how the panoramic head looks with some photographic equipment. The picture below shows a combination of a Nikon D5100 type DSLR camera body and a Nikkor AF 85mm f1.8D lens.
This version supports portrait-oriented camera mounting in this form, but a landscape-oriented MIOPS component can also be easily connected to this design.
This type of panoramic head construction has the following advantages:
Now let's see the practical examples, because in the last six months I managed to test the panoramic skills of the Capsule Pro in really special locations.
Depending on the conditions and the amount of images, a panorama can even be taken with some manual panoramic head. However, if the camera is located at a height that is difficult to reach, the use of an automated head is already indispensable. When creating high-resolution, so-called gigapixel panoramas, especially in the case of interior spaces, it is necessary to position the camera vertically in the center of the space too. Without that, it’s almost impossible to adjust the focus in all directions properly.
Technical details of photography:
Camera: Nikon D5100 (16MP) - Sensor: Crop
Lens: Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G - Focal Length: 35
Camera orientation (Layout): Portrait
Camera height: 4m
Aperture: f16
Shutter Speed (0EV): 1/2s
ISO: 250
Exposure bracketing: 0EV, -2.0EV, +2.0EV (for HDR)
Total photo: 399
Total shooting directions: 133
19 column and 7 row - Overlap: 30%
Total shooting time: about 30min
Panorama size: 48.000 x 24.000 pixel (full 360° x 180° spherical type)
With the Capsule Pro, it’s possible to use Exposure bracketing to create HDR panoramas. The desired bracketing values and the continuous shooting mode must be set on the camera. In the MIOPS application, you only need to make sure that the exposure time is set to a value that covers the duration of recording the entire bracketing series.
Click on the picture to view the end result
In the huge interior of ELTE's (Eötvös Loránd University) library, the angle of view of the 50mm prime lens worked perfectly. With a higher resolution full-frame camera, fewer images could have been used to create an even higher resolution panorama.
Technical details of photography:
Camera: Nikon D5100 (16MP) - Sensor: Crop
Lens: Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G - Focal Length: 50
Camera orientation (Layout): Portrait
Camera height: 6m
Aperture: f16
Shutter Speed (0EV): 1/2s
ISO: 400
Exposure bracketing: 0EV, -2.0EV, +2.0EV (for HDR)
Total photo: 840
Total shooting directions: 280
28 column and 10 row - Overlap: 30%
Total shooting time: about 45min
Panorama size: 70.000 x 35.000 pixel (full 360° x 180° spherical)
In this case, in the panorama menu of the MIOPS application, the area to be recorded must be narrowed down by setting the starting (A) and ending (B) points. If we only use one Capsule Pro, we only have the option of horizontal movement, but with two rotators we can already calibrate for two-axis shooting.
Technical details of photography:
Camera: Nikon D5100 (16MP) - Sensor: Crop
Lens: Nikon AF 85mm f/1.8D - Focal Length: 85
Camera orientation (Layout): Portrait
Aperture: f11
Shutter Speed: 3s
ISO: 100
Total shooting directions: 20
10 column and 2 row - Overlap: 30%
Total shooting time: about 3min
Panorama size: 27.243 x 15.325 pixel
However, accuracy and speed are always very important factors. The Showroom of Pappas Auto contained a lot of reflective surfaces, so before each exposure the photographer had to hide and then return to the camera again due to the manual rotation of the panoramic head. The single Capsule Pro used during the photography made the job very easy, and the bracketing image sequences were completed perfectly.
Technical details of photography:
Camera: Nikon D850 (45MP) - Sensor: Full Frame
Lens: Nikon AF Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED (shaved hood) - Focal Length: 10*
Camera orientation (Layout): Portrait
Aperture: f11
Shutter Speed (0EV): 1/50s
ISO: 800
Exposure bracketing: 0EV, -4.0EV, -2.0EV, +2.0EV, +4.0EV (for HDR)
Total photo: 20 / panorama
Total shooting directions: 4 / panorama
4 column - Overlap: 30%
Total shooting time: 13sec / panorama
One panorama size: 13.000 x 6.500 pixel (full 360° x 180° spherical)
Click on the picture to view the end result
Since this contains the most shooting directions of all the panoramas in this article (352 pieces), I tested the accuracy of the Capsule Pro’s using a unique scaling method. Because the so-called Papywizard panorama shooting code, which gives the position of each image, is always very helpful for the stitching softwares to create gigapixel panoramas, consisting of many images. However, this code (XML file) only works properly, if the automatic head accurately performs the specified 360-degree horizontal and 180-degree vertical rotation. During the scaling test, it was revealed that even when photographing the entire sphere, it managed to keep the exact positional values along both axes.
Technical details of photography:
Camera: Nikon D850 (45MP) - Sensor: Full Frame
Lens: Nikon AF 85mm f/1.8D - Focal Length: 85
Camera orientation (Layout): Portrait
Camera height: 7m
Aperture: f14
Shutter Speed: 1/1000s
ISO: 500
Total shooting directions: 352
32 column and 11 row - Overlap: 30%
Total shooting time: about 32min
Panorama size: 122.500 x 61.250 pixel (full 360° x 180° spherical)
Another big positive of the Capsule Pro is the battery life. This gigapixel panorama sequence consisting of more than three hundred images consumed only 8% of the available battery power.
Click on the picture to view the end result
I think the Capsule Pro really has the potential to be taken seriously by the panorama photographers, even though it's a time-lapse specific product. Of course, there is still room for improvement in terms of hardware and software, but its versatile potential is simply undeniable.
I would like to thank MIOPS for making their products available to me and for being completely open to new ideas and technical suggestions.
Last but not least, I would like to thank my dear wife, who contributed to the success of panoramic photography with her devoted patience and professional assistance.
An adept 3D Artist and Photographer, Attila Farkas (Facebook: @photoreal360) harbors a deep passion for spherical panorama photography and the creation of virtual tours. Every day, he's driven by the goal to craft something beautiful, to master a new skill, and to persistently tackle challenges, even if they seem insurmountable.
In his profession, Attila frequently faces situations that challenge his expertise. While he relishes the triumph of finding a solution, he finds equal, if not greater, joy in sharing his amassed knowledge with others. This is the very reason for the existence of this blog. If Attila Farkas has managed to simplify the task for even one individual, he believes his effort has been worthwhile.
The reason for movement blur is simply that the amount of time that the shutter of a camera is open is long enough to allow your camera’s image sensor to ‘see’ the movement of your subject.
During the day, you will typically use shutter speeds that are a small fraction of a second. At night, however, the camera will use shutter speeds that are longer than one second – sometimes significantly longer. Think of it this way: because it is dark, the camera needs a longer period of time to gather light for proper exposure.
The shutter will now be open for a longer period of time, so the camera needs to be held steady or the picture will move during the exposure process, causing your image to be blurry. That is why a tripod is required equipment at night. You can leave the shutter open as long as you want, as long as the camera is steady and does not move at all.
There are two ways to get a feeling of movement in your images – have your subject move or have your camera move (or both).
In this type of shot, you need to do everything that you can to keep your camera perfectly still or in addition to the blur from the subject, you’ll find that the whole frame looks like it’s moving as a result of using long shutter speed. Whether it be by using a tripod or have your camera sitting on some other still object you’ll want to ensure that camera is perfectly still.
A remote shutter release will avoid vibrancies that will result in blurred images during long-exposures. MIOPS Smart+ will allow you to set the desired time of exposition and we recommend, having 30 seconds as a starting point.
The aperture is the opening in the lens that lets light into the camera. The size of the aperture determines the amount of light being let into the camera for given shutter speed, and it also affects the depth of field.
For the most part, there is no difference between how you will use the aperture at night versus how you use it during the day. The only difference is that the camera will struggle to get enough light for proper exposure, so a small aperture will often require ridiculously long shutter speeds. In addition, the background is usually black, so you don’t need to worry as much about achieving a wide depth of field.
ISO is a measurement of the sensitivity to light of your digital sensor. Higher ISO values make your digital sensor more sensitive to light and thereby allow you to use a shorter shutter speed or a smaller aperture.
Using higher ISOs will result in more digital noise in your pictures. Since dark areas of your picture tend to show more digital noise than lighter areas, it is often a problem with night photos. Therefore, resist the temptation to crank up the ISO at night if you can help it.
Since you will be using a tripod, you can usually avoid the need to use a high ISO or set to the minimum, such as 50 or the default, 100. However, in those cases where you cannot use a tripod or you have a moving subject, you will need to increase the ISO.
One of the most important settings in photographing an image that emphasizes movement is the shutter speed. Even small changes in shutter speed will have a big impact upon your shot – so you want to shoot in a mode that gives you full control over it.
This means either switching your camera into full Manual Mode or Shutter Priority Mode. Shutter Priority Mode is a mode that allows you to set your shutter speed and where the camera chooses other settings (like Aperture) to ensure the shot is well exposed. It’s a very handy mode to play with as it ensures you get the movement effect that you’re after but also generally well-exposed shots.
The other option is to go with Manual mode if you feel more confident in getting the aperture/shutter speed balance right.
Related Article: Night Photography, How to Shoot Stunning Light Trails
About The Author Manuel Delgado:
Manuel Delgado is an award-winning photographer with a specialization in travel and documentary photography. He writes for Contrastly and is a Mentor for NGO Photographers Alliance, having led workshops in Africa with a focus on ethical and humanitarian photography. His work has been exhibited in Europe and the Americas.
Driven by an innate curiosity for his surroundings, Manuel´s process is mainly focused on capturing people in their natural environment; translating through his lens the subtle threads of daily life that are shared across cultures, borders, and races. Depicting people from diverse backgrounds, his work is united by a shared aesthetic that serves to tell each individual’s story. Manuel is currently living in Düsseldorf, Germany.
Manuel Delgado Instagram Profile
[star star="147"]
[faq q1="How to Shoot Motion Photos At Night?" a1="The reason for movement blur is simply that the amount of time that the shutter of a camera is open is long enough to allow your camera’s image sensor to ‘see’ the movement of your subject." q2="what is iso in photography?" a2="ISO is a measurement of the sensitivity to light of your digital sensor. Higher ISO values make your digital sensor more sensitive to light and thereby allow you to use a shorter shutter speed or a smaller aperture." q3="what is shutter priority mode?" a3="One of the most important settings in photographing an image that emphasizes movement is the shutter speed."]
]]>Framing in Photography is similarly important as exposure and the two concepts intersect in many ways. Exposure governs the amount of detail as well as the visual balance of the entire frame while framing creates the visual experience for anyone who looks at a photograph. By being able to achieve good exposures with visually impactful framing, any photographer would be able to create remarkable and eye-catching photographs no matter what the subjects are. To help you achieve better visual impact, here are some framing photography examples that you can try.
One of the most popular and most effective framing photography ideas is the use of an actual and physical frame within the frame of a photo. By doing this, the photographer easily adds depth into the image by using multiple layers in the photo giving the perception that the flow of the image moves forward and into the frame. This technique is commonly done when taking portraits of people indoors because it allows the photographer to isolate the subject and even conceal parts of the environment that do not contribute to the aesthetic of the image, and at the same time it illustrates the location giving viewer the impression that the space expands further than what they can actually see in the image.
Doing this outdoors can be a bit more tricky especially during the day. Whether your frame opens up to show a person, an object, or another aspect of the place, there will be quite a few challenges when it comes to the luminosity. Typically, the frame within the frame will be less bright than the outside environment and this is a challenge that has to be solved to achieve better balance in the image. A quick solution is to shoot in HDR. By simply taking multiple exposures with the same framing and angle but varied levels of brightness, you can combine the image to bring out the best detail and luminosity for various parts of the photo. While you can do this manually, this multi-step process can be made much simpler by a capable camera trigger.
The MIOPS Smart+ is a mobile app controlled camera remote trigger that is equipped with a range of functions that help photographers simplify their workflow. By simply setting your base exposure, brightness intervals, and the number of frames you want to take, the Smart+ can take care of changing the settings and trigger the exposures thereby making the process as simple as possible.
Precise Framing for Moving Subjects
Sometimes the game of framing goes beyond simply point and shooting. This is especially true in shooting scenarios wherein we don’t have full control of all the factors in the photograph and and we have to avoid having our presence affect the behavior of the scene. This is especially true for street photography, and in some instances, photographing action and sports.
To achieve this, the only option is what is called “working the scene” where the photographer would watch and wait for the motion and the scene to unfold hoping that the subject of interest would take a particular spot in the frame that would give the resulting photograph the balance and visual flow that the photographer intends. This can be as simple as waiting for someone to walk on a particular point of the frame following composition principles such as rule of thirds, the golden ratio, symmetry, etc. This often entails minutes or even hours of waiting while the rest of the scene is set and the only factor missing is the moving subject.
For sports and action photographers, these framing photography ideas can also be significantly helpful particularly in races. In the same way, movement of athletes and competitors can not be influenced by the photographer just to perfect their framing. However because they all follow a particular course, it is possible to predict and anticipate where they will be and create a masterful framing around that point.
Another unpredictable and even harder to control subject is wildlife. Animals in the wild are often elusive and actively avoid any contact with humans and that makes the endeavor already challenging. The difference is that their movement can be impossible to predict but there are various ways of attracting them towards the camera.
One advantage of smart accessories for executing these framing photography ideas is being able to automate and make the process more assured of better results. The MIOPS Smart+ and MIOPS Flex smart camera triggers both feature various sensors that help the photographer work the scene. In particular, both camera remote triggers are equipped with laser sensors that detect when potential subjects cross the path of the camera. Obviously, this has a lot of implications in being able to catch the perfect moment where your subject fits your intended framing. For photographing action, sports photographers can leave multiple cameras on selected parts of the course to be able to capture more action without having to chase after the competitors. Once these cameras are equipped with camera remote triggers such as the Smart+ or the MIOPS Flex, any competitor crossing the path will trigger an exposure that will capture the split-second action that the photographer aims to catch.
For wildlife photographers, camera traps can be safely set up using baits that would interest the animals and safely positioning the camera from a certain distance and with a clear line of sight. Once the animals cross the path of the sensor on the camera trigger, the photo can be taken possibly with the animal not even noticing the camera making sure that the photographer gets the shot without making the animals feel threatened in their habitat.
Another great framing technique is the use of forced perspectives. This method relies on the juxtaposition of two or more subjects in two or more separate layers. By achieving a specific alignment of the subjects or the background, one can create a unique relationship between the visual elements in the photograph that will definitely make the photo impactful and even create a surreal scene. This is often done by playing around with perspectives and scale wherein an object in the foreground closer to the camera will appear much larger than another, more distant object in frame. By doing this, creative photographers are able to create images with giant versions of everyday objects that are usually juxtaposed to people, other large objects, or buildings to manipulate scale.
Some popular examples of this approach are photos wherein giant objects seem to be falling onto people. Objects such as shoes, toys, or any other everyday object look much larger when put in the foreground against a person in the back. For people who travel, forced perspectives are popular in taking photos at particularly tall landmarks such as the Eiffel tower, the leaning tower of Pisa, Big Ben, and other large structures. By placing your human subject closer to the camera, it creates a perspective that enlarges the person allowing them to reach for the top of the structure. This is also commonly done to create photos as if people are reaching for objects in the sky such as clouds or the moon. While these ideas create fun surreal images, they can often be harder to execute than they seem. Perfect placement and alignment has to be achieved otherwise the juxtaposition will not work. An irreplaceable value that smart camera triggers have in such tasks is allowing you to control your camera and monitor your framing from a distance. This is even more valuable in instances where you are taking photos with yourself in frame. The MIOPS Flex offers a unique feature that will help you make precise composition and framing from wherever you stand. This bluetooth and wifi connected camera trigger is able to send a live video feed to your smartphone with the MIOPS mobile app so that you can monitor and adjust your composition without having to walk back and forth to the camera. In addition, if it is necessary to do bracketed exposures and create HDR images, the same process can be done. This intelligent camera remote not only helps you achieve the perfect framing but also allows you to control your camera and monitor the frame which is especially important in instances where the camera angle is too high or too low.
There infinite ways to create artistic and impactful framed images to boost the viewer experience in your photography. No matter what genre of photography you are into, composition and framing will always be the key ingredient to making your photos stand out. Meticulous and creative framing contributes a lot to the visual design of an image and with the right idea, the technical skills to execute the shot, and the right tools that make shooting easier and more efficient, your photos are sure to connect with your audience in a way that wont be easy to forget.
[blognewsletter]
Nicco started his photographic journey in 2007 practicing the craft as a hobby. Currently, he shoots for various local and international architectural firms and construction companies. Out of his love for sharing his knowledge, Nicco began writing about photography and various pieces of gear.
]]>
Making a good timelapse video does not happen by simply putting your DSLR on a tripod, facing your subject, and leaving the rest to the intervalometer. Like an artist who makes sure every portion of his/her painting is well planned, a photographer is responsible for directing both the shooting and the post-production processes. You need to make sure that you have planned everything to come up with the best timelapse video.
So what’s the easiest way to make good timelapse videos? If you want to create good timelapse videos to add to your portfolio, you have to plan for all the steps involved in creating the timelapse ahead of time. You need to find out what you will need during the shoot and even afterward. If you want tips on how and what to plan for, then consider the following:
You first need to identify your timelapse subject. You should carefully choose your scenery or photography subject, and make sure it is worth capturing. Yes, pro photographers create masterpieces from random and straightforward things, but even that requires careful planning—the lighting, angle, etc.
Related to determining your subject, you need to be able to see the outcome of your timelapse in your mind. It is like an architect creating a blueprint for a house to see his/her creative ideas be realized. Before even setting up the camera, a professional timelapse photographer already has a very good idea of how his/her video will look after post-production.
Any photographer knows the importance of lighting in taking shots. Although using ND filters can help in a pinch, you still need to determine the best time of day for you to achieve the perfect natural lighting for your photos. Know that doing timelapse requires many—at least hundreds—of frames captured in a given period, and there will be changes in the lighting during the shooting process as time passes by. For this reason, you need to plan for when to shoot and how much time you need to achieve the effects you want in your photos.
Aside from the time, you also need to determine the location from where you will take the best shots. It is not only the accessibility and clarity of the view that you need to consider. You also have to choose a spot where you have a creative angle and where your camera can capture all the scenery elements you wish to include.
Next, you need to know what to bring with you. These are the essentials you need to bring:
ALSO READ: What Equipment is Necessary for Time-lapse Photography?
Another thing that you need to plan for is the number of frames and the interval between them. You have to determine how much time you need to capture your intended scenery/subject. Then, you need to calculate how many frames you can shoot within that said time, including the number of seconds between the shots, for more uniform transitions between frames.
If you want to perfect your timelapse videos, then study how the experts do it. You can watch video tutorials or read blogs about photography. Or, if you know a professional photographer personally, ask them to mentor you and observe how they do it.
To master the craft of timelapse photography, you need to get the best out of the resources available to you. For instance, the MIOPS website does not only offer advanced camera gadgets and accessories but also provides helpful photography tips from which anyone can learn. Thus, I invite you to visit our website regularly and stay updated with our weekly blog posts.
Related Article: How to Start with Time Lapse Photography?
[star star="147"]
[faq q1="how to make timelapse videos?" a1="Making a good timelapse video does not happen by simply putting your DSLR on a tripod, facing your subject, and leaving the rest to the intervalometer." q2="what is setting the frame intervals in photography?" a2="Another thing that you need to plan for is the number of frames and the interval between them. You have to determine how much time you need to capture your intended scenery/subject." q3="how to decide the best location for timelapse?" a3="Aside from the time, you also need to determine the location from where you will take the best shots."]
]]>Photography is often described as the art of painting with light. To that end, few elements are as vital to this art as the sun and moon. Their positioning in the sky determines not just the amount of light in a shot, but also its quality, direction, and mood. For the discerning photographer, the ability to track the sun and moon is invaluable. This is where the Sun Moon Expert app comes into the picture, revolutionizing photography planning.
Before we dive into the features of Sun Moon Expert, it's important to understand the significance of tracking the sun and moon in photography. Here are a few reasons:
1. Golden Hour Magic: We've all heard about the 'golden hour'—that magical time shortly after sunrise and just before sunset when the landscape is bathed in a soft, warm glow. By effectively tracking the sun, photographers can ensure they're in the right place at the right time to capture this fleeting beauty.
2. Milky Way and Astro-Photography: The moon's phase and location are critical for those keen on capturing the Milky Way or other celestial events. A bright moon can wash out the stars, so knowing when and where the moon will rise and set is crucial.
3. Landscape Shadows: The sun's position affects the shadows cast by hills, trees, and buildings. By tracking its path, photographers can visualize how the landscape will look at different times of the day, aiding in composition and storytelling.
4. Portraits: For portrait photographers, understanding the sun’s position can help in determining the best times and locations for natural light portraits without the harsh shadows or overexposure.
Given the reasons above, it's evident why a reliable tool for sun and moon tracking would be a boon for photographers. Sun Moon Expert, with its intuitive design and comprehensive features, has become the go-to app for photography planning.
User-friendly Interface: One of the first things you notice about the Sun Moon Expert app is its clean and user-friendly interface. You don’t need to be an astronomy expert to navigate it. With easy-to-read graphics and timely notifications, it’s designed with photographers in mind.
Precise Predictions: The app offers precise predictions for sun and moon rise, set, and the various phases of the moon. This ensures that photographers can plan their shoots with confidence, knowing they have accurate information at their fingertips.
Interactive Maps: Sun Moon Expert integrates interactive maps which display the sun and moon's trajectory across the sky. This feature is immensely beneficial for scouting locations. You can literally watch the path of these celestial bodies across your desired shoot location and predict the perfect shot.
Augmented Reality (AR) Feature: A standout feature of the app is its AR capability. By simply pointing your device at the sky, Sun Moon Expert overlays the paths of the sun and moon, allowing for real-time visualization. This is especially useful for photographers looking to frame their shots in relation to these celestial bodies.
Alarms and Notifications: Never miss a perfect shot again. The app allows users to set alarms for specific celestial events, whether it’s the golden hour, a new moon phase, or a solar eclipse.
In the world of photography, where light is everything, understanding and anticipating the movements of the sun and moon can be the difference between a good shot and a masterpiece. Sun Moon Expert not only understands this but has crafted an app that makes tracking these celestial wonders intuitive and engaging.
Whether you're an astro-photographer looking to capture the Milky Way without the interference of the moon, a landscape photographer chasing the ethereal glow of the golden hour, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of the natural world, Sun Moon Expert is a game-changer. With its user-friendly interface, precise predictions, and plethora of features, it's no wonder it's become an essential tool in every photographer's kit.
So the next time you're planning a shoot, don't leave things to chance. Track the sun and moon with precision, plan with confidence, and let Sun Moon Expert guide you to your perfect shot.
]]>Safety First: Eclipse Viewing Precautions
Before we dive into the world of eclipse photography, let's emphasize the most critical aspect of witnessing a solar eclipse: safety. Staring directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause severe eye damage or blindness. Therefore, invest in certified eclipse glasses or solar filters for your camera lens and telescope. Never attempt to photograph the sun without proper protection.
1. Camera Equipment
The right camera equipment can make all the difference in capturing a stunning solar eclipse image. Here's what you'll need:
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: These cameras offer manual settings and flexibility for adjusting exposure and focus.
Telephoto Lens: A telephoto lens with a focal length of at least 300mm is ideal for capturing the sun's details.
Sturdy Tripod: A stable platform is essential to prevent camera shake during long exposures.
Remote Shutter Release: To minimize vibration when taking photos, use a remote shutter release or the camera's timer function.
2. Practice Before the Eclipse
Don't wait for the big day to become familiar with your equipment. Practice shooting the sun (without the eclipse) to ensure you understand your camera's settings and can make adjustments quickly.
3. Manual Settings
ISO: Use the lowest ISO setting (usually 100 or 200) to reduce noise in your photos.
Aperture: Set a small aperture (high f-number) for better sharpness and depth of field. Start with f/8 or higher.
Shutter Speed: Use a fast shutter speed (1/1000 second or faster) to avoid overexposing the sun.
4. Focus Carefully
Achieving sharp focus is critical. Use Live View mode and magnify the sun on your camera's screen. Adjust the focus until the sun appears as a small, crisp circle.
5. Bracket Exposures
Solar eclipses involve dramatic changes in lighting conditions. Bracket your exposures by taking a series of shots with different settings to ensure you capture the event correctly.
6. Capture the Phases
Remember that a solar eclipse has several phases: the partial eclipse, the maximum eclipse, and the partial eclipse as the moon moves away. Capture each phase to tell the complete story of the event.
7. Experiment with Filters
Consider experimenting with various filters, such as solar filters or neutral density filters, to capture different aspects of the eclipse's beauty.
8. Plan Your Location and Timing
Choosing the right location and timing is crucial for a successful solar eclipse photoshoot. Research the eclipse path and pinpoint a location with a clear view of the horizon and minimal light pollution. Utilize Sun Moon Expert, a trusted app designed for eclipse enthusiasts, to help you plan your shooting location and timing down to the minute.
9. Consider Wide-Angle Shots
While telephoto lenses are excellent for capturing the sun's intricate details, don't forget to step back and take in the broader view. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the landscape during the eclipse. The dimming light and unique lighting conditions during an eclipse can create stunning landscapes that complement your close-up shots of the sun.
10. Experiment with Different Exposures
Don't limit yourself to a single exposure setting. Experiment with a range of exposures to capture various aspects of the eclipse's beauty. Try longer exposures to capture the sun's corona during a total solar eclipse or shorter exposures to highlight sunspots during a partial eclipse.
11. Document the Eclipse Experience
While focusing on capturing the eclipse itself, don't forget to document the experience. Take candid shots of friends and fellow eclipse enthusiasts, their reactions, and the general atmosphere. These images can add a personal and memorable touch to your eclipse photo collection.
12. Be Prepared for Changing Weather
Weather conditions can be unpredictable, and clouds can dash your hopes of a perfect eclipse shot. Monitor weather forecasts leading up to the event and have a backup plan in case you need to change your location at the last minute. Sometimes, a few miles can make all the difference in capturing a clear view of the eclipse.
13. Post-Processing and Editing
After the eclipse is over and you've captured your shots, the real magic can happen in post-processing. Use software like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop to fine-tune exposure, contrast, and color balance. Be mindful not to over-edit, though, as natural beauty should still shine through in your photos.
14. Share Your Eclipse Photos
Finally, share your eclipse photos with the world! Social media platforms, photography websites, and astronomy forums are excellent places to showcase your work. You'll likely find a community of fellow eclipse enthusiasts who appreciate your efforts and may offer valuable feedback.
In conclusion, photographing a solar eclipse is a remarkable endeavor that combines scientific curiosity with artistic expression. With careful planning, the right equipment, and a deep appreciation for the celestial ballet of the sun and moon, you can capture breathtaking images that not only document the event but also inspire wonder and fascination in others. So, gear up, practice, and get ready to capture the next solar eclipse in all its celestial glory.
Happy shooting!
]]>Landscape photography has an uncanny ability to evoke feelings of awe and wonder. But behind those breathtaking pictures, there's a lot of planning, patience, and skill involved. One crucial aspect that significantly influences the outcome is the tracking of celestial bodies like the sun and the moon. Here's where the Sun Moon Expert app enters the frame, revolutionizing the way you plan and execute your landscape shots.
Before diving into the nuances of the app, let's understand why planning is so essential for landscape photography:
The sun and moon are not just celestial bodies; for photographers, they're dynamic lighting tools. Their position and phase can dramatically transform the mood and composition of a picture.
Sun: The golden hour – shortly after sunrise and just before sunset – offers soft light, long shadows, and a warm hue, perfect for landscapes. Conversely, the noon sun gives a hard light, which might be suitable for specific compositions but challenging for others.
Moon: A full moon can illuminate landscapes with a surreal glow, while crescent moons create intrigue. Moreover, the moon's position can be crucial for capturing events like lunar eclipses or 'supermoons'.
Now that we understand the importance of planning and the role of sun and moon in photography let's delve into how the Sun Moon Expert app can elevate your photography game.
Precision Sun & Moon Tracking: Simply enter the date and location, and the app provides precise information on the sun and moon's position. Whether you're planning weeks in advance or need real-time data, Sun Moon Expert has got you covered.
Milky Way Planning: Beyond the sun and moon, the app offers Milky Way planning, enabling you to capture the galaxy's ethereal beauty like never before.
Real-time AR Views: Visualize solar, lunar, and Milky Way positions directly on your camera. This feature ensures your compositions are spot-on, making astrophotography and landscape shots more intuitive.
Comprehensive Photo Planning Tools: With tools like the 500 Rule Calculator, Neutral Density Filter Calculator, Timelapse Planner, and Depth of Field Guide, Sun Moon Expert is more than just a tracking app. It's a comprehensive toolkit for every photographer.
Notifications for Celestial Events: Never miss the sky's significant moments. Whether it's a meteor shower, a lunar eclipse, or a rare celestial alignment, the app ensures you're always prepared.
Incorporating the Sun Moon Expert app into your photography workflow can elevate the quality of your shots. Here’s a simple guide:
In the realm of landscape photography, where every detail counts, tools like the Sun Moon Expert app can make the difference between missing a shot and capturing a masterpiece. By harnessing the power of precise celestial tracking and comprehensive planning tools, you're equipped with everything you need to not only visualize but also execute your dream shots.
So, the next time you're chasing the golden hour, planning a starry night shoot, or simply want to be at the right place at the right time, remember, with Sun Moon Expert in your pocket, the sky is not the limit; it's your playground.
]]>Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras are renowned for their versatility and manual control, making them a preferred option for serious photographers. When it comes to lightning photography, DSLRs offer several advantages:
Full Manual Control: DSLRs grant photographers the ability to finely adjust settings such as shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. This precise control is essential for capturing the elusive lightning strike. By using a slow shutter speed and narrow aperture, photographers can create stunning images that showcase multiple lightning bolts in a single exposure.
Interchangeable Lenses: DSLRs support a variety of lenses, ranging from wide-angle to telephoto. This flexibility enables photographers to adapt to varying lighting conditions and compose their shots creatively.
Bulb Mode: DSLRs include the "Bulb" mode, which allows the shutter to remain open for an extended period. This is especially useful for capturing multiple lightning strikes in one frame, showcasing the dynamic energy of a storm.
External Triggers for Precision: Achieving impeccable timing in lightning photography often requires external triggers. The MIOPS Smart+ and FLEX Bolt devices are remarkable tools for DSLRs. Equipped with internal sensors, they detect lightning and trigger the camera with pinpoint accuracy, ensuring that the perfect shot is never missed.
The MIOPS Smart+ and MIOPS FLEX Bolt devices are highly recommended for lightning photography enthusiasts using DSLRs. Their exceptional accuracy and reliability make them indispensable tools for capturing lightning in all its glory.
The ubiquity of smartphones has transformed the world of photography, making it more accessible to people of all skill levels. While smartphones may lack the manual control of DSLRs, they bring their own set of advantages to lightning photography:
User-Friendly Experience: Smartphones are designed with ease of use in mind. Automatic settings and intuitive interfaces enable users to capture impressive lightning shots without extensive technical knowledge.
Portability: Carrying a bulky DSLR and associated equipment can be cumbersome. Smartphones, on the other hand, are compact and portable, ensuring that photographers can capture lightning moments even when on the move.
Advanced Apps and Accessories: The smartphone ecosystem has fostered the development of photography apps and accessories that enhance capabilities. While not only an app, the SPARK tool for iPhones is a standout product. It empowers users with DSLR-like controls, long exposure features, and specialized lightning photography options.
The SPARK is a versatile tool that unlocks advanced photography features on iPhones. While not exclusively a trigger, it offers lightning photography settings, allowing users to refine their lightning captures.
Choosing between a DSLR and a smartphone for lightning photography hinges on your photography goals, experience level, and available gear. Seasoned photographers seeking control and image quality may gravitate towards DSLRs equipped with tools like the MIOPS Smart+ or FLEX Bolt. These devices provide the precision needed to immortalize the magic of lightning.
Conversely, if you're drawn to the convenience and portability of smartphone photography, exploring tools like the SPARK is a wise choice. It offers advanced features that bridge the gap between smartphone and DSLR capabilities, making it an enticing option for lightning enthusiasts.
In the end, the world of lightning photography offers myriad opportunities for photographers to capture the breathtaking beauty of nature's light show. Whether you're a professional aiming for the perfect shot or an amateur seeking to document the wonder of lightning, the MIOPS Smart+, MIOPS FLEX Bolt, and SPARK stand as testaments to the evolving landscape of photography technology.
]]>Photography is a beautiful blend of art and science. It's about capturing moments, emotions, and the world's breathtaking beauty. But to create truly stunning images, photographers must understand and work with the natural elements around them. One of the most significant of these elements is light, specifically sunlight. This is where the concept of sun tracking comes into play.
Sun tracking is a technique used by photographers to predict the sun's position at any given time and location. This knowledge allows them to plan their shoots accordingly, ensuring they capture their subjects in the best possible light. And now, with the advent of advanced technology and mobile applications like Sun Moon Expert, sun tracking has become more accessible than ever before.
The sun is the most powerful light source available to photographers. Its position in the sky significantly impacts the quality, color, and intensity of the light in your images. By understanding and tracking the sun's path, photographers can plan their shoots to coincide with the most favorable lighting conditions.
For instance, consider the golden hour and the blue hour, two periods of the day revered by photographers worldwide. The golden hour – the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset – bathes the world in a warm, golden light, creating a magical, ethereal atmosphere. On the other hand, the blue hour – the period just before sunrise and just after sunset – envelops the scene in a cool, blue hue, lending a serene, tranquil vibe to your images.
By using a sun tracker, photographers can accurately predict these periods for any given day and location, allowing them to plan their shoots accordingly.
While the concept of sun tracking might seem complex, modern technology has made it incredibly simple and accessible. One such advancement is the Sun Moon Expert, a dedicated sun tracker app designed specifically for photographers.
Sun Moon Expert is a comprehensive tool that allows you to track the sun and moon's path for different dates and locations. Whether you're planning a local photoshoot or an international photography expedition, this app provides accurate predictions of the sun and moon's positions, ensuring you're always in the right place at the right time.
But Sun Moon Expert is more than just a sun tracker app. It's a complete photography planning tool. It provides detailed information about the golden hour and blue hour for your chosen location and date. This means you can plan your shoots around these periods, ensuring you capture your subjects in the most beautiful light.
So, how can you use Sun Moon Expert to improve your photography? Here are some practical ways:
Planning Your Shoots: Use the app to determine the sun's position at your chosen shoot location and time. This will help you understand the direction and quality of the light, allowing you to plan your compositions accordingly.
Capturing the Golden Hour and Blue Hour: Use the app's golden hour and blue hour predictions to plan your shoots during these magical periods. Remember, these periods offer unique lighting conditions that can significantly enhance the beauty of your images.
Scouting Locations: If you're scouting locations for future shoots, use the app to understand how the sun will move across the sky at different times of the year. This can help you choose the best locations for your shoots.
Planning for Moonlit Shoots: Sun Moon Expert also tracks the moon's path, making it an invaluable tool for photographers who love capturing moonlit landscapes or night sky photography.
In conclusion, sun tracking is a powerful technique that can significantly enhance your photography. And with tools like Sun Moon Expert, it's easier than ever to harness the power of the sun and moon for your creative pursuits. So, whether you're a professional photographer or a passionate hobbyist, consider adding sun tracking to your photography toolkit. You'll be amazed at the difference it can make to your images.
As technology continues to evolve, so too will the tools and techniques available to photographers. Sun tracking, once a complex and time-consuming process, has been simplified and streamlined thanks to apps like Sun Moon Expert. And as these tools become more advanced, photographers will have even more opportunities to harness the power of the sun and moon in their work.
In the future, we can expect to see even more sophisticated sun tracking tools, including augmented reality features that allow photographers to visualize the sun's path in real-time. We might also see integration with other photography tools and platforms, providing photographers with a comprehensive suite of tools to plan and execute their shoots.
But no matter how technology evolves, the fundamental principles of photography will remain the same. It's about capturing the world around us in a way that evokes emotion and tells a story. And by understanding and working with the natural elements around us – like the sun and moon – we can create truly stunning images that resonate with viewers.
So, if you're ready to take your photography to the next level, give sun tracking a try. Download the Sun Moon Expert app, and start planning your shoots around the sun and moon. You'll be amazed at the difference it can make to your images.
Remember, photography is not just about having the best camera or the most advanced equipment. It's about understanding light, composition, and the world around us. And with sun tracking, you can gain a deeper understanding of these elements, allowing you to create truly stunning images that stand out from the crowd.
So, embrace the power of sun tracking. Harness the beauty of the golden hour and the serenity of the blue hour. And let Sun Moon Expert guide you on this exciting journey. Happy shooting!
]]>[blognewsletter]
If you want to stand out, you need to do something extraordinary. Why not we combine portrait photography with splash photography and create some mesmerizing photos.
In this photography, the first you need a model who is ready to drench in water or colors and willing to clean herself after every shot. Other than the model you need usual things like camera, flashes, tripod, water or colors, a mug to throw the water and a room to do all this.
Lighting setup is different in both color and water. If you are using water you need a backlight to illuminate the splash. You required at least two lights, one in front of the model and second at the back side to light the splash. You may use a third light with a snoot for hairs of the model. Below is the lighting diagram for water.
If you are planning to use color instead of water, let me warn you. It’s 5 times harder than water because your model needs to clean up after every shot and it’ll create lots of mess. If you are like me and love to do tougher tasks, let’s use color instead of water. For color splash, you need to light both the model and splash from the front. Use two lights at a 45-degree angle both side. It’s better to use softboxes with flash instead of bare flash for better results.
If you don’t have softboxes, take two empty wooden frames and paste butter paper (Parchment Paper) on it. Fire your flash from behind these frames and you’ll get a similar effect. You may also use plain white shower curtains instead of parchment paper.
Camera settings are quite easy for this shoot. Mount your camera on a tripod and set ISO to 100. We are shooting a wide scene so no matter if we have an f/5.6 aperture or f/16, we’ll get a deeper depth of field. Shutter speed will be 1/250 or whatever flash sync speed of your camera.
You need to focus manually because your camera will not have enough time to focus and click. So our camera is on a tripod with manual focus and all setting are done, let’s start shooting.
You need an assistant to throw water on the model. If you are planning to throw water from both sides, you need two assistant. Your job is to click at the right moment. First make sure that your model is relaxed, if she is not comfortable, she may not pose properly. Now make her pose as per your instructions and take a test shot. Check the lighting and composition and make changes if required. Now ask your model to move aside and ask your assistant to throw water and take another test shot. Now check the lighting for splash in this shot and make necessary changes.
Okay, now we are ready to take final shots. Pose your model and instruct her not to twitch when your assistant throws the water. If the room is too cool, lower down the AC and it’s better to use lukewarm water. Remember your model can give proper poses only when she is comfortable.
Note: I am referring model as a female in the article but everything will be the same if your model is a male.
Now your model will be posing and your assistant will throw water and you’ll take the shot. You need to take lots of shot as sometimes splash will be perfect but the pose of the model may not be good. Sometimes pose is good but splash shape is not proper and sometimes both are okay but you didn’t click at the perfect moment. Take a few shots and eventually, your model will start posing properly, your assistant will throw the water as you want and you’ll start clicking on the perfect moment.
You can use one more technique. Fill up some balloon with water and use them for the shoot. You can burst the balloon on the top of the model or you can give a balloon in her hand, burst it and click the shot. Even you can take long balloons, fill with water, wrap around your model’s head and burst it and it’ll look like a crown. The possibilities are endless, just use your imagination.
1. Take a shot of your model without water splash. Sometimes you get a perfect shot but you find that the eyes of the model are closed. In such condition, if you have a shot with the same pose, you can replace closed eyes using Photoshop or any other software.
2. If you don’t have flashes or studio lights, you can so this shoot outside. Make sure you do it in the evening or early morning when lighting is good and remember you are doing it in summers.
3. You may take lots of splash shots and use them to create some wonderful shot like this one.
So, let’s find out a model and take some exceptional shots and share with the world.
Related Article: Water Splash Photography with MIOPS Laser Trigger Mode
About the Author
Ramakant Sharda is an author, iOS App publisher, passionate photographer and a MIOPS Ambassador based in the beautiful “Pink City” of India, known as Jaipur. His work has been published in various magazines, newspapers, and blogs. He has published three Coffee Table Books, he writes about photography and also teaches photography in his workshops. Check out his website http://ClickManic.com to see the masterpieces created by him or download his free app for iPhone and iPad “30 Days to an Ace Photographer“.
[star star="48"]
[faq q1="what is portrait photography?" a1="Portrait photography is the most lucrative genre of photography. Now a day’s more and more photographers are entering in this genre so competition is increasing day by day." q2="how to do lighting setup for splash portrait photography?" a2="Lighting setup is different in both color and water. If you are using water you need a backlight to illuminate the splash. You required at least two lights, one in front of the model and second at the back side to light the splash." q3="which camera settings you need for splash portrait photography?" a3="Camera settings are quite easy for this shoot. Mount your camera on a tripod and set ISO to 100. We are shooting a wide scene so no matter if we have an f/5.6 aperture"]
]]>The post 9 Amazing High Speed Photography Ideas You Can Do with a Camera Trigger appeared first on MIOPS.
]]>High speed photography is all about capturing moments that are not visible to naked eyes (READ: High Speed Photography Nitty-Gritty). If you can capture the moments that are impossible to see, it can be rewarding and set you above the average.
[blognewsletter]
In this article, we are going to talk about some high speed photography ideas and how you can take such photos easily with the help of an amazing high speed photography trigger. So, are you ready?
Balloons always fascinate us as a kid. When we burst water-filled balloon, the water inside the balloon makes a shape which is similar to that of the balloon for a few moments and then it falls on the ground. It happens so fast that we can’t see it happening live. With high speed photography, you can capture this moment.
But the problem is that everything happens so fast that it’s very tough to click the picture at the perfect moment. Luckily we have MIOPS Smart trigger which is a sound trigger for high speed photography. By using its sound mode you can trigger your camera or flash as soon as you pop the balloon. It gives you the option for changing the sensitivity so it doesn’t trigger on other sounds and also you can set delay time for triggering so that it clicks at the exact moment you want.
Spinning a water socked ball creates a beautiful galaxy shape which looks amazing. To capture this MIOPS Smart have a laser trigger mode. All you need to do is put a laser light and focus it on the sensor of this smart trigger. When something comes between this, it’ll trigger the camera or fire the flash. Again, you can change the sensitivity of the sensor and set delay time. And you can also set it to take one or more shots.
We can create beautiful paint sculptures by doing high speed paint photography. When we put some paint on a speaker and play sound in that speaker, paint jumps because of the vibrations and create beautiful shapes & sculptures. Capturing that moment can be very satisfying for your artistic soul. By using sound mode of MIOPS Smart you can click at the perfect moment and because of delay feature, you can control the height of sculptures and create different type of masterpieces.
This is same as paint sculpture but instead of paint we use dry colors and results are as beautiful as paint sculptures.
When light passes through water, it bends in a particular way, and this is known simply as Refraction. We can shoot stunning pictures by using this characteristic of light. For that, you need to create a setup to release water drops and put a picture in the background. When you click, a reflection of the background image will capture inside the water drop. MIOPS Smart’s laser mode can help you to click when water drop is in front of the camera.
Imagine a scenario when water from two different glasses collides and forms a shape which is that of a heart or for the matter that of a circle. The resultant shape is so ephemeral that one can only imagine it and not able to preserve that image. High speed Photography using MIOPS Smart comes to rescue you to capture the amazing shapes that result due to water collision. You can also use different colors combinations of water. Maybe add color or use wine if you can afford to drain a few liters of it.
Capturing a lightning over a beautiful landscape or behind skyscrapers is amazing but it’s very tough as we don’t know when it’s going to happen and most of the time we miss the moment. By using MIOPS Smart, you can set everything and leave your camera. As soon as lightning will strike, it will trigger the camera and capture that beautiful moment.
High Speed Photography comes handy when doing sports photography especially when the capturing some high-speed moments during any of the fast sports on this planet. A few of the examples for the same can be: freezing the sportsperson jumping on a skateboard or capture a cyclist in mid-air.
Even you can take your own shots doing some action sports. Just set MIOPS Smart with laser trigger and start doing actions. It will trigger the camera at the perfect moment.
Capturing a speeding bullet in flight or the impact it creates when the bullet hits with an object like an egg or a wine glass is just impossible because it happens within a blink of an eye.
In next series of articles, we’ll talk in detail about each of these high speed photography techniques.
About the Author
Ramakant Sharda is an author, iOS App publisher, passionate photographer and a MIOPS Ambassador based in the beautiful “Pink City” of India, known as Jaipur. His work has been published in various magazines, newspapers, and blogs. He has published three Coffee Table Books, he writes about photography and also teaches photography in his workshops. Check out his website http://ClickManic.com to see the masterpieces created by him or download his free app for iPhone and iPad “30 Days to an Ace Photographer“.
Related Article: High Speed Photography Explore Site
[star star="9"]
[faq q1="what is High Speed Bullet Photography?" a1="Capturing a speeding bullet in flight or the impact it creates when the bullet hits with an object like an egg or a wine glass is just impossible because it happens within a blink of an eye." q2="what is High Speed Sports Photography?" a2="High Speed Photography comes handy when doing sports photography especially when the capturing some high-speed moments during any of the fast sports on this planet." q3="how to do Water Collision photos?" a3="Imagine a scenario when water from two different glasses collides and forms a shape which is that of a heart or for the matter that of a circle."]
Panorama stitching software allows users to seamlessly stitch multiple photos together to create a panoramic image. With the advancement of technology, these software have become more accessible and user-friendly, making it easier for anyone to create stunning panoramic images. In this article, we will be discussing some of the best panorama stitching software currently available in the market, their features, and the pros and cons of each software.
This software is available for Windows and Mac and is a professional-grade panorama stitching software. It has a wide range of features and is suitable for advanced users. PTGui includes features such as automatic alignment, manual control points, and batch processing. The software also supports a wide range of image formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and RAW. Additionally, PTGui Pro version offers advanced features such as HDR stitching, masking, and focus blending.
One of the biggest advantages of PTGui is its wide range of features and flexibility. The software is suitable for advanced users and provides a high level of control over the final image. Additionally, it supports a wide range of image formats, allowing users to work with a variety of image types. However, one downside to this software is its price. PTGui Pro version is a paid software, with a starting price of €175.
This is an open-source panorama stitching software that is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is free to download and use, and has a wide range of features. Hugin includes features such as automatic alignment, manual control points, and batch processing. The software also supports a wide range of image formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and RAW.
One of the biggest advantages of Hugin is that it is a free and open-source software. Additionally, the software has a wide range of features and is suitable for advanced users. However, one downside to this software is that it is not as user-friendly as some of the other software on this list, making it more suitable for advanced users.
[blognewsletter]
This software is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. It is a professional-grade panorama stitching software that includes features such as automatic alignment, manual control points, and batch processing. The software also supports a wide range of image formats, including JPEG, TIFF, and RAW. Additionally, Pano2VR offers advanced features such as hotspots, virtual tours, and support for VR headsets.
One of the biggest advantages of Pano2VR is its advanced features such as hotspots, virtual tours, and support for VR headsets, which allows users to create interactive and immersive panoramic experiences. Additionally, the software is suitable for advanced users and provides a high level of control over the final image. However, one downside to this software is its price. Pano2VR is a paid software, with a price of €449 for a perpetual license
One of the biggest advantages of Microsoft ICE is that it is free to use. Additionally, the software has a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for anyone to use. However, one downside to this software is that it is only available for Windows, limiting its accessibility for users on other platforms.
This software is available for Windows and Mac. Adobe Photoshop is a professional-grade photo editing software that includes panorama stitching capabilities. The software has a wide range of features and tools for editing and enhancing images, and it also includes a "Photomerge" feature for stitching panoramic images. This feature allows users to stitch multiple images together and includes options for adjusting the final image, such as blending and distortion correction.
One of the biggest advantages of using Adobe Photoshop for panorama stitching is its wide range of features and tools for editing and enhancing images. Additionally, it is a widely used and well-known software, making it easy for users to find support and tutorials. However, one downside is that Adobe Photoshop is a paid software, with a subscription price of $20.99/mo.
In conclusion, there are many panorama stitching software available in the market, each with their own set of features and advantages. PTGui, Hugin, Microsoft ICE, and Adobe Photoshop are some of the best panorama stitching software currently available. However, the best software for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Whether you're a professional photographer looking for a professional-grade software or a hobbyist looking for an easy-to-use software, there is a software out there for you.
[capsulepro]
This article provides an in-depth guide to panorama photography, including tips on how to capture stunning 360-degree and gigapixel panoramas. It also introduces the Capsule PRO from MIOPS, a smart camera trigger that allows for easy and precise control over your camera's settings and eliminates the need for manual adjustments. By using the advanced features of the Capsule PRO, photographers can easily capture immersive and detailed panorama shots with minimal hassle.
The main advantage of panoramas is the ability to capture large, wide scenes such as landscapes, cityscapes, and even interiors in great detail. It allows you to capture more of the scene than a single image would, resulting in a more immersive and detailed final image.
However, this process can be time-consuming and requires a lot of attention to detail. This is where the Capsule PRO comes in. This device is a versatile pan and tilt head for time-lapse, multi row panorama, 360 product photography and videography which can be controlled via a smartphone app. It can be used to take multi-row panoramas automatically, by setting the number of rows and shots, the rotation angle between shots, and the exposure settings for each shot. It also features a built-in intervalometer and bulb timer, which allows you to take long exposures and time-lapse shots with ease.
One of the key features of the Capsule PRO is its compatibility with a wide range of camera brand and models. The device can be easily connected to your camera via a cable connection, allowing you to remotely trigger the shutter release. It's a great tool for capturing panorama shots, time-lapse, and other types of photography that require precise control over your camera's settings. With the Capsule PRO, you can easily capture multi-row panoramas and focus on composition and capturing the perfect moment, instead of worrying about the technicalities of the process.
When taking the images for your panorama, it is important to keep your camera level and to overlap each image by at least 30%. This will ensure that the final image will be seamless and free of distortion. One of the key challenges in creating a gigapixel panorama is ensuring that the individual photos are properly aligned. This requires paying attention to the overlap between photos, and adjusting the camera settings to minimize distortion. Additionally, color and exposure differences between the photos must be corrected to create a cohesive final image. With the right technique and equipment, it is possible to create gigapixel panoramas that are incredibly detailed and offer a wide field of view.
[capsulepro]
Creating a gigapixel panorama photo involves stitching together multiple individual photos to create a single, high-resolution image. Once you have taken all of your images, you can use software such as Photoshop or Lightroom to stitch them together and create your final panorama. These programs will analyze the overlapping areas of each image and automatically align and blend them together to create a seamless final image.
In conclusion, panoramas are a great way to capture wide-angle scenes and create stunning images. With the help of a device like the Capsule PRO from MIOPS, you can easily take single or multi-row panoramas without any hassle and focus on capturing the perfect moment. It's a great tool to have in your photography arsenal and help you capture amazing panorama shots with ease, whether it's a 360-degree panorama or a gigapixel panorama.
[blognewsletter]
]]>Would you believe if I say that you already own such a camera? I bet you don’t believe me. Well, God has already made a very advanced camera for us and it’s called our eyes.
[blognewsletter]
Our eyes have 576 megapixels resolution and the field of view is around 180 degrees horizontal and 160 degrees vertical, which are equivalent to a 10mm wide lens.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
Nowadays we can shoot wide angle shots with an 8mm or 10mm lens but we don’t have a camera that can click a picture at such high resolution. So, if you want to click a detailed picture like our eyes can see, do you have any option? Well, it’s possible with a photography technique called panorama.
In panorama photography, we click a series of photos and stitch them together to make a very high-resolution picture. With this technique and some special equipment, you can even create gigapixels images. So, let’s find out what you need to shoot a panorama and how to shoot it.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
You can shoot a panorama with any DSLR camera but lens choice is very important. If you choose a wide angle lens like 16mm or less, it’ll cover the entire scene in fewer shots and you’ll end up with a low-resolution panorama. A 16mm lens can cover a 360-degree scene in just 6-7 shots.
Pros of wide angle lens: Fewer shots, faster and easy editing, more vertical coverage
Cons of wide angle lens: Lower resolution of final image, more chances of parallax error
If you choose a longer lens like 100mm, you need to take lots of shots to cover the entire scene, vertical coverage will be very less and then you’ll need a powerful computer to stitch those images. So such a long lens is absolutely a no-no.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
In an ideal condition, a 24-50mm lens is a good choice. With a 50mm lens, you need to take around 18 shots to cover the 180-degree field of view.
See the image below, Red ones are 16mm pictures and as you can see only 6 photos are covering the entire view. Blue ones are 50mm pictures and it required 18 pictures to cover the whole scene. But in the case of red, vertical coverage is very large.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
In nutshell, you need to select focal length according to your requirement and the scene.
Other than camera and lenses, a steady tripod is a must for panorama photography. If you are shooting landscape, you may use ND filters to show smooth motions and circular polarizer filter to enhance colors and reduce glares.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
All the equipment are ready, let’s talk about the settings. You are going to shoot a series of pictures and stitch them together so it’s absolutely necessary that all pictures have the same exposure, color, and focus. So, you need to do manual settings for everything in the camera.
First set your camera on a tripod. Here you need to remember two things. First, your camera should be vertical and second, it’s absolutely straight. A little bit of tilt will ruin your picture because you don’t want a picture with the tilted horizon. Use a Bubble Spirit Level to level the camera.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
Now set the white balance to daylight or whatever setting is appropriate according to the light and your taste. Set aperture to f/8 or f/11 because you will need a deeper depth of field and then focus manually. Now you need to set the exposure. Take a shot at aperture priority mode and see the picture. It should not have any clipping. If the picture is perfect, set the camera on manual exposure and set shutter speed similar to the last picture you took.
Now you are ready to shoot. If you are taking a 180-degree panorama, you need to start from a point and come back to the same point.
Now you have two options for shooting, first you can shoot manually by panning the camera and take the shot and second option is that you can use an automatic device like MIOPS Capsule PRO Versatile pan and tilt head that can do everything for you with more precision. The second option is easier than the first one.
[capsulepro]
Loose the panoramic rotation knob of the tripod and take one shot. Now rotate the camera a little bit and take another shot and keep doing it until you reach up to starting point. Here you need to remember that there should be at least 20-25% overlap between each image otherwise you’ll have problem stitching later.
Check the following image. Blue one is the first image and red one is second. The gray part between both images is the overlapped part. You need to do it between every shot.
© Ramakant Sharda – http://ClickManic.com
Also, keep an eye on the horizon in each picture. It should be at the same level in all pictures. If it’s not it means, the camera is not straight. Fix it first and start again.
1. Reach early: Always try to reach early at the location so you have plenty of time to set up everything and take a test shot.
2. Shoot in RAW: Always shoot in RAW so if you made any mistake in camera settings, you have a better chance to correct it later on.
3. No elements in the foreground: This is very important. Always remember that you don’t have elements in foreground that are very close to the camera. If you have, you’ll have parallax problem when you stitch the photos. Parallax problem is a very big subject and we’ll talk about it in the next article.
So, let’s find some beautiful locations and start shooting. In the next article, we’ll learn how to stitch photos using panorama software.
About the Author
Ramakant Sharda is an author, iOS App publisher, passionate photographer and a MIOPS Ambassador based in the beautiful “Pink City” of India, known as Jaipur. His work has been published in various magazines, newspapers, and blogs. He has published three Coffee Table Books, he writes about photography and also teaches photography in his workshops. Check out his website http://ClickManic.com to see the masterpieces created by him or download his free app for iPhone and iPad “30 Days to an Ace Photographer“.
Related Article: High Speed Photography Explore Site
[star star="35"]
[faq q1="what is panorama photography?" a1="Would you believe if I say that you already own such a camera? I bet you don’t believe me. Well, God has already made a very advanced camera for us and it’s called our eyes." q2="how to take panorama photos?" a2="You can shoot a panorama with any DSLR camera but lens choice is very important." q3="what are the settings for panorama photography?" a3="All the equipment are ready, let’s talk about the settings. You are going to shoot a series of pictures and stitch them together so it’s absolutely necessary"]
]]>[blognewsletter]
If you want to take a detailed 360 panorama with standard aspect ratio like 2:3 or 3:4, you need to take a multi-row panorama. In this article, we’ll talk about how to take a multi-row panorama in detail. With this technique, you can take even gigapixel size picture and show the tiny details like the faces of the people.
1. Large prints: If you want to make bigger size prints with all details, you can’t do it with 20 or 50 megapixels single shot. You need to take a panorama for that.
2. Aspect ratio: If we shoot single row panorama, it’s very bigger in length compared to width. If you want to take a square or 2:3 ratio panorama, you need to go with multi-row panorama.
3. No wide lens: If you don’t have a wide-angle lens but you want to capture something in wide angle, you can take a multi-row panorama and it’ll look same like clicked from a wide-angle lens.
4. Spherical: If you want to take a 360x180 degree picture and make a spherical picture, you need to take a multi-row panorama.
First, you need a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a lens. Lens choice is important here. If you want to create a more detailed and bigger panorama (gigapixel photo), you need a longer lens but if you want smaller size panorama, choose a medium lens like 35 mm or 50 mm. A lens like 35 mm will cover more area and you need to take fewer pictures so your final image will be smaller in size. I suggest you use a medium lens initially and when you gain some experience, go with long lenses.
[capsulepro]
You also need a sturdy tripod which can hold the weight of your camera and keep stable when you are panning your camera.
Now you have two options for shooting, first you can shoot manually by panning the camera and take the shot and second option is that you can use an automatic device like MIOPS Capsule PRO that can do everything for you with more precision. The second option is easier than the first one and we’ll talk about both in this article.
Fix your camera on a tripod and make sure both your camera and tripod are leveled properly otherwise you’ll get a tilted horizon. Use a bubble leveler to check it.
Now focus somewhere between the center of foreground and background and set it on manual focus. Switch your camera to aperture priority mode, set ISO to the lowest, aperture to f/11 to f/16 and white balance to daylight or whatever the light conditions are. We want the same exposure and colors in all pictures so we can’t have anything on auto mode.
Now take a few pictures within the frame area of your panorama. If all pictures have the same shutter speed, note it down. If the shutter speed is different in pictures, take an average of all images. Now switch your camera to manual mode and set aperture and shutter speed the same as the previous picture.
If your lens has image stabilization or vibration reduction feature, don’t forget to turn it off.
We are ready to take pictures. First, we’ll take pictures with manual mode. Let’s say you want to take 3 rows of 9 pictures each. First tilt your camera pointing up, pan left to right and take a series of images. Here you need to remember that each picture should be overlapping 30% - 40% with the next picture.
Now go back to the first position, move the camera down and shoot the second row of images. This row will overlap 30% - 40% with both left/right picture and top picture. Again go back, move the camera down and shoot the third row. Check the first picture of each row to set the overlapping frame for the next row.
Now we’ll talk about the easy way to click the pictures and it’s MIOPS CapsulePRO. You need to fix your camera on CapsulePRO, set a few parameters and it’ll take the pictures automatically.
First, you need to set the angle of view. You need to set it for both horizontal and vertical. Let’s say you want to cover 180 degrees horizontally and 90 degrees vertically, set it to 180 and 90.
You can control the exposure value using CapsulePRO too, for that you need to set your camera on bulb mode. Now set frame delay, it’s a time gap between each shot so your camera gets enough time to save the image.
Now you need to set overlapping percentage, set it to 35%. CapsulePRO will automatically take overlapping images according to this parameter.
You also need to enter whether you have a full-frame camera or crop sensor and you placed the camera on CapsulePRO vertically or horizontally.
Once you set all the parameters, tap on start and I’ll start taking required pictures. In the case of a multi-row panorama, you need to use two CapsulePRO, one for pan and one for tilt.
Things to remember:
1. Shoot in RAW: Always shoot in RAW so you can bring all the details and if you have made a mistake in setting exposure or white balance, you can fix it easily.
2. Shoot fast: If you are shooting manually and light is changing (you are shooting in evening time), make sure you shoot fast so there is no major light difference between the shots.
Related Article: The Ultimate Guide To Shoot Stunning Panorama
About the Author
Ramakant Sharda is an author, iOS App publisher, passionate photographer and a MIOPS Ambassador based in the beautiful “Pink City” of India, known as Jaipur. His work has been published in various magazines, newspapers, and blogs. He has published three Coffee Table Books, he writes about photography and also teaches photography in his workshops. Check out his website http://ClickManic.com to see the masterpieces created by him or download his free app for iPhone and iPad “30 Days to an Ace Photographer“.
[star star="37"]
[faq q1="Why do we need to shot multi-row panorama?" a1="If you want to make bigger size prints with all details, you can’t do it with 20 or 50 megapixels single shot. You need to take a panorama for that. " q2="What do you need for multi-row panorama shooting?" a2="First, you need a DSLR or Mirrorless camera with a lens. Lens choice is important here. If you want to create a more detailed and bigger panorama, you need a longer lens but if you want smaller size panorama" q3="which camera settings should be uses for multi-row panorama?" a3="Fix your camera on a tripod and make sure both your camera and tripod are leveled properly otherwise you’ll get a tilted horizon. Use a bubble leveler to check it."]
]]>The blue hour is perhaps the most underrated time of each day that only we photographers give due appreciation. Most people appreciate the sunrise and the sunset especially when they attempt to take photographs but for any photographer, the blue hour has an equal amount of charm with a totally different value.
For photographers who like to shoot landscapes, cityscapes, and architecture, the blue hour is the best time to be shooting. This time of transition during the day gives us the most balanced lighting condition that makes it easier to photograph larger subjects and environments without any need for artificial lighting. That is why being able to plan and execute your photoshoot during this particular time of day is crucial.
No matter what kind of blue hour photography you aim to do, the most important step is planning your shot. Whether you are shooting landscapes, buildings, or portraits, it is important to know the specific time that the light changes and prepare for any possible challenges.
Blue hour photography deals with gradually changing sunlight as the sun rises or sets, as well as with the potential interaction of luminosity from the moon. When taking a photograph, it is important to consider both the sun's movement and the moon's position and face in order to ensure the best lighting for your subject and the surrounding environment.
The Sun Moon Expert is the perfect mobile app to help you plan your shoot to make the most out of the blue hour. This app gives you the general details about the time of the next sunrise and sunset from your location via GPS as well as detailed steps in the transition of light. Astronomical, Nautical, and Civil Twilight, while all parts of the blue hour have different levels of brightness in the sky and can definitely give you different effects when shooting. The Sun Moon Expert app also offers information about these steps in detail to help you better prepare for your blue hour shoot.
In addition to the importance of anticipating the changes in sunlight, the moon can also have an effect on the lighting environment that you are shooting. It is important to consider where the moon will be while you are shooting and consider how it is going to affect your shot and your subject.
The Sun Moon Expert app also gives detailed information about the moon such as the schedule of its phases as well as the time of the moon rise and moonset. In addition, the app puts all this information into perspective through augmented reality. This augmented reality mode utilizes the camera of your smartphone to show you where the sun and the moon will be at a particular time and show you the path towards which they will move as well. This is a great way to plan not just the time of your shot but as well as the composition and lighting of your blue hour shoot.
Shooting natural wonders, no matter which part of the globe, can be tricky because of lighting conditions. The most common challenge for beginner landscape photographers is how to manage the difference in brightness between the sky and the landscape itself. This is why many photographers generally prefer to shoot towards the golden hour and the blue hour and use the mid-day hours to either rest or travel.
The blue hour is characterized by the relatively dimmer light in the sky. Relatively, this makes the landscape brighter when it comes to how it would appear in our images. Ultimately, the less bright sky becomes easier to shoot because of the balance achieved with regard to the darker foreground. That is why the blue hour can be the best time to be shooting landscapes particularly when you have not mastered how to manage and manipulate light and exposure.
Landscape photography in a natural location and landscapes in an urban location have a lot of similar factors. Undoubtedly, the biggest similarity is the ambient light coming from the sky and how it behaves. The biggest difference would of course be the presence of artificial light in a city that will definitely affect the overall exposure and balance of luminosity.
The lights coming from buildings, houses, and illuminated infrastructure all contribute to a collective glow coming from the ground. This only means that the point wherein the brightness of the sky and of the city comes relatively earlier in the sequence of the transition of light compared to when there is not artificial light from the foreground. This difference, when you are able to plan your shoot and shoot at the right time, is not a disadvantage but simply a small adjustment.
When dealing with a particularly active scene, this can even be used to enhance the photograph’s visual design by using motion from moving traffic and other moving elements to create attractive visual paths in the scene.
Very much similar to shooting cityscapes, there is a lot of advantage in shooting architecture during the blue hour. The timing and the balance of light is one of the easiest and most effective solutions to almost all the challenges in lighting when it comes to shooting architecture. It is likely that shooting (modern) architecture will require you to take artificial lighting and surrounding illuminated objects into account when shooting blue hour architecture photography in the same way that cityscapes deal with both ambient and artificial light.
For most modern cities and architecture, the blue hour is the best time to be shooting. During the blue hour, the sky and the city don’t only attain significant balance in luminosity but also commonly have complementing colors. The blue hue of the twilight sky perfectly matches the warm yellow or orange lights that are commonly found in many street lights and building exteriors. By being able to shoot at the right time before the sky gets too dark and being able to accurately portray the available colors, you can attain undeniably pleasant vibrance in the overall color harmony of your image.
Whether shooting natural landscapes, cityscapes, or architecture during the blue hour, there are various exposure techniques that are necessary. For one, since you will be dealing with much less light than during the day, long exposure will definitely be a necessary method of shooting. The duration of your exposure would depend on how much ambient light there is and following that, your exposure will vary depending on the overall lighting environment of your location.
Some instances require you to shoot with slow shutter speeds ranging from about 4 to 8 seconds. This is applicable when the sky still has considerable light and also when you are using a moving visual element to create a visual path. To do this seamlessly and safely, a good and reliable camera remote trigger not only spares you from the risk of camera shake but also makes your shooting process efficient.
The MIOPS Smart+ is the industry leading camera remote trigger that goes above and beyond merely controlling your shutter button. For long exposure functions, you can set your exposure to up to 99 minutes and 99 seconds with the precision of up to 0.1 seconds. This is in addition to self timer delay and interval shooting functions with the same maximum limits.
[smart]
For shooting transient and moving visual elements, the Smart+ is also equipped with a laser sensor that is triggered by the moving object crossing the path. A light sensor that triggers exposures when strong flashes of light (coming from lightning strikes) occur, and a sound sensor that starts an exposure cued by loud sounds.
Another method to consider during the blue hour to attain even better balance and colors when shooting is the use of HDR through shooting bracketed exposures. In this process, you can shoot 3, 5, 7, or even 9 consecutive exposures of the same frame with varying levels of brightness. By doing so, you can potentially harvest all the possible details that are best visible in each of these exposure levels and combined the exposures later on to precisely bring out all the details that you wish to show. This is applicable in all outdoor and indoor shooting scenarios and even easier to do during the blue hour.
MIOPS offers a considerable line-up of smart camera triggers that all have features to automate your HDR shooting process. The three camera remote trigger variants give you full control of the number of exposures to take, the difference in brightness among each exposure, and even the time interval between each shot.
The MIOPS Remote Plus offers full control of the shooting process through seamless connection with the MIOPS mobile app. The MIOPS Smart+ works the same way but can also be set and controlled through its own LCD screen menu and on-board buttons. The MIOPS Flex extends these capabilities by showing you an instant preview of your HDR output (and even time-lapse sequences) through the app.
[flex]
Mastering landscape photography, cityscape photography, and architectural photography is best done during the blue hour. If you can get used to the changes in light and learn how to use them to your advantage, you'll not only take good photos now, but you'll also be prepared for future lighting challenges when shooting outdoors. With proper planning in terms of the timing and composition of your shoot, as well as meticulous execution, the blue hour will deliver you some of your best photographs no matter where you are and what you are shooting.
[blognewsletter]
]]>Yes, high-speed photography is achievable even with your most affordable camera gear. Many DIY high-speed photoshoots have even produced the most spectacular images that continue to awe and inspire shutterbugs and advanced lensmen to try this genre in their home studios.
This article will discuss some easy high speed photography tips that you can try, regardless of your gear and skill level. As a do-it-yourself guide, we’ll prove that you don’t need an expensive camera and a long list of accessories to get started.
Let’s take a look at the basic camera gear and equipment that you need to start your first DIY high-speed photoshoot.
As mentioned earlier, you only need the essential camera equipment that you can find in your camera bag or rent from a studio. Prepare these essential items for your DIY high-speed photography kit.
We’ve mentioned earlier that you can easily get started on high-speed photography using an entry-level camera. What does “entry-level” actually mean? Basically, it means that it’s the most affordable camera that a DSLR manufacturer offers. Whilst it is the cheapest, it has the functionalities that beginners need to take on different photography genres.
For high-speed photography, for instance, entry-level cameras have the functionality to help you capture fast-moving objects. All your camera needs to have is a Manual Mode, a feature that entry levels surely offer.
The importance of Manual Mode in high-speed photography is that it enables you to customize and adjust the most important mechanisms involved in this genre: shutter speed and aperture. With a Manual-enabled camera, you can also change the ISO number and exposure value.
The next must-have high-speed camera equipment is a sturdy tripod. Again, like your camera, this doesn’t have to be expensive. As long as it does the basic job of a tripod, which is to hold your camera in place, hands-free, then they’re enough.
The tripod is one of the most important pieces of equipment during a high-speed photoshoot. For starters, it fixes your camera at a specific eye level and distance from the object. Additionally, a tripod will prevent motion blurs caused by manually holding the camera while taking the shot.
Tripods can also help you take photos from a distance, especially if there are safety risks and hazards involved in the photo shoot. Hazards and risks are common during high-speed events. Most shoots will require you to be a few feet away from the high-speed event.
The type of camera lens you choose for high-speed photography will depend on your subject and the type of composition that you want to achieve.
Macro lenses, for example, are best for high-speed events that require you to take a close-up image of the subject while keeping a safe distance from it. Telephoto lenses are best for high-speed outdoor photography, such as when photographing wildlife, lightning, or rocket launches.
For your easy and DIY high-speed photography sessions done indoors, you will most likely choose a macro lens to capture the amazing details of your subjects, especially if they’re as small as a water droplet or as detailed as a balloon popping or a glass-breaking.
Another important and irreplaceable high-speed camera equipment is your flash units. Most photographers even say that for indoor photoshoots, you can never capture fast-moving objects without the burst of light from your flash guns. Why?
Flash guns or the quick burst of light from your flash units are the ones responsible for freezing the moment during an event. The burst signals your camera to activate the shutter and capture the fast-moving object.
The momentary light emitted through these gadgets also emphasizes the forms and details of the objects being photographed in a pitch-black studio. They will be the single light source that will freeze moments and objects in motion, so better grab one or two from your camera bag.
Another non-negotiable when taking a hassle-free and productive high-speed photoshoot is the remote camera trigger. Remember that you are taking photos of objects that move at crazy speed over a very short period of time. These events are something that you can never observe with your naked eye. Additionally, your human reflexes are also not fast enough to react to their movement. This is where high-speed camera triggers come in.
MIOPS Smart+ wireless camera trigger, for example, is a recommended DIY high-speed photography trigger that will transform your entry-level camera into a high-speed gear. This device has a lot to offer to help you dominate this genre.
Some of MIOPS’s camera trigger features are the Laser, Sound, and Lightning Modes. With these modes, you don’t have to rely on your reflexes to click the shutter as the trigger does it for you.
How can you use Laser Mode for your DIY high-speed photoshoot? This mode utilizes the device’s built-in motion sensor to detect objects in motion and signal your camera and your flash guns to activate the shutter.
Laser Trigger Mode is best used in high-speed events, such as a bullet or arrow shooting through an apple, a BB gun pellet shattering a glass or lightbulb, or a drop of water crashing into a liquid or solid surface.
You can simply position your camera and point it towards the object or within the frame of the high-speed event. Then, attach the camera trigger to your camera and position the laser pointer towards the object or an area close to it. As soon as the bullet, arrow, pellet, or waterdrop breaks the laser pointer, the trigger will signal your camera and flash units to activate.
MIOPS Sound Trigger Mode uses the same concept as Laser Mode. However, instead of detecting motion using a laser pointer and the trigger’s motion sensor, Sound Mode uses loud sound events to trigger the camera to shoot.
These events include loud balloon pops, gunshots, glass shattering, and other high-decibel events. The mode uses a highly sensitive sound sensor that can be adjusted to only pick up specific sounds or noise from your subject.
Finally, one very special mode that makes MIOPS Smart the best in the market is its Lightning Trigger Mode. This feature is specifically designed to conquer lightning photography, the most exciting and thrilling high-speed photography genre out there.
For starters, the mode uses MIOPS’s signature light sensor. It detects lightning events and captures them at millisecond speed.
Aside from the superfast camera shutter reaction, the trigger’s wireless capabilities will also protect you from the risks of harsh weather and challenging outdoor terrains.
Aside from these three dedicated high-speed photography sensors and modes, the best part about using MIOPS as your DIY high-speed camera trigger is its intuitive technology that allows you to control your camera through your smartphone.
If you want to know more about MIOPS Smart camera triggers, we have all the information on our MIOPS Smart+ product page.
[smart]
Now that you have the list of the must-have high-speed photography equipment, let’s go to the items and props that you need to capture unique high-speed images.
If you are doing an indoor high-speed photoshoot, you can collect some of these materials and props.
There are many ways to use balloons for your high-speed photoshoot. For starters, you can do a simple balloon-popping photography to capture the explosion and how its elastic surface shreds and tears to hundreds of pieces. You can also fill your balloon with dyed water or colorful dust or glitters to add a more mesmerizing effect to your images.
Since you’re going DIY, it’s best to be resourceful. Find a place where you can hang your balloon. You can manually prick it with a pin or go all wild with a BB gun pellet shot.
As mentioned earlier, since balloon popping creates this loud sound event, you can use a camera trigger with a sound sensor like MIOPS Smart.
If you want something simple but impactful, you can try water drop photography. The most basic DIY material for your first water drop kit may include a dropper, a mixing bowl or any water container, and a good background and foreground. For these two elements, you can either go colorful or full black or white. You can also use different light sources, colored lights, and other elements that will give your image unique patterns and hues.
Since water drop photography involves droplets of water falling into a solid or liquid surface, you can take advantage of this vertical motion and use a camera trigger motion sensor. MIOPS laser mode is the best feature for the job.
If you have old light bulbs or glass panels lying around, you can capture amazing broken glass, glass shattering, or lightbulb high-speed images. This high-speed photography tip, however, requires proper preparation and protective gear because of the hazards.
Position your camera and your flash units a few feet away from the subject. You can activate your camera’s shutter using a laser mode that will detect the motion of an arrow or a pellet from a BB gun. You can also use the sound mode, since glass shattering is a loud event, to signal your camera to burst and flash units to burst.
Aside from water drop photography, you can also capture water sculptures using fluids of varying colors and viscosity. Instead of capturing a droplet and how it disturbs the calm water on the surface, you can take images of fluids that present graceful and unpredictable movements and patterns.
Unlike glass, water is a more friendly medium, so you can do this outdoors or indoors, with your family and friends.
For outdoor high-speed photography, you have the freedom to capture physical and visual objects in motion, without the restriction of the four walls of your studio. These include lightning, wildlife, and even human movements in sports, with just your entry-level camera and a reliable camera trigger.
With your DIY high-speed photography kit and knowing how props and camera accessories can be used for a successful photoshoot, we can now go to the different high-speed photography genres that you can try.
We’ve already mentioned balloon popping, waterdrop, water sculpture, light bulb, broken glass, lightning, wildlife, and sports photography. What other genres can you try with your new DIY high-speed photography knowledge?
Getting started on high-speed photography and mastering the art of capturing and freezing high-speed objects and events in motion can introduce you to new and surreal worlds that you can only observe through the lens of your camera.
With your newfound knowledge of high-speed camera equipment, materials, and methods, you can apply their most basic principles to other photography genres.
Here are some examples:
The lesson here is you can do anything and break the limits of your creativity, as long as you have the right knowledge to take the first step. Taking the first step also means securing the right camera equipment that will take your photos to greater heights!
As this article has proven, with your entry-level camera and MIOPS’s remote camera trigger, you can be unstoppable!
[blognewsletter]
]]>These are the only creatures that can fly backward and hover for a long time. In this article, we’ll talk about how to photograph a hummingbird.
In wildlife photography, the most important thing is that you know about your subject before picking up the camera, and that applies to hummingbird photography too. Place hummingbird feeders and hummingbird-friendly flowers in your backyard and observe the birds. Know about the time when they are most active and how they behave.
Watch where they are coming from and where they’re going. Which flower they are going often, where it’s perching, which side of the feeder it’s going more. Hummingbirds are a creature of habit and they do the same thing again and again in a loop. So, if you learn about their behavior, it’ll be easy for you to photograph them.
Okay, let’s talk about the gears and camera settings for hummingbird photography. You’ll need a telephoto lens so you can click the birds from a distance without scaring them. A long lens will also give you a nice blurred background.
If you search for how to photograph a hummingbird on the internet, you probably read that you require a high shutter speed because hummingbirds move very fast. Well, it’s not entirely true, your shutter speed depends on what kind of photo you want to take. If you have seen hummingbird photos, you’ll notice that these photos usually come in three categories.
If the bird is sitting on a perch, a 1/250 - 1/500 seconds shutter speed is enough. For semi-action shots, you may keep your shutter speed between 1/500 - 1/1000 seconds. A semi-action shot means the bird is sitting on a perch and stretching out its wings or ruffling its feathers. Moreover, if you want to click the bird with a blurred wing, it comes under semi action shot too.
If you would like to take in-flight shots with sharp wings which come under high speed photography, you need to click it at 1/2000 seconds or higher shutter speed. Keep in mind that for such a high shutter speed, you need lots of light or you need to boost the ISO. Whatever kind of photo you take, especially high speed image, just make sure that the eyes, beak, and head of the bird are always in focus.
Another challenge in hummingbird photography is focusing because birds are tiny and move rapidly. For that, you have two options. First, if your lens has a focus limiter option, use that. This feature limits the lens to focus between selected distances only. Let’s say you’ve set the focus limiter to 4.5 - 10 meters, it will not try to focus at infinity or any distance below 4.5 meters and beyond 10 meters.
If your lens doesn’t have this feature, select a point of reference for focus. Let’s say the distance between you and the birdfeeder is 10 feet, find something big at the same distance and use that for pre-focus. By doing this, your camera will focus fast and accurately on the bird.
Keep your camera set to continuous focusing mode and click plenty of pictures using burst mode to capture the perfect moment.
A common mistake many photographers do when they click bird photos is that they click the picture in the middle of the day when the light is very harsh. Don’t make the same mistake. Harsh light will give you unpleasant shadows and dull colors. Always try to click in the morning or evening, when the light is soft or on an overcast day. The soft light will give you more vibrant colors.
At last, let’s talk about how to use a high speed photography trigger like MIOPS Smart+ to capture beautiful pictures of hummingbirds. You may use MIOPS Smart+ as a remote trigger or make a laser trap using its laser trigger.
[smart]
For the first method, you need to set up your camera on a tripod with manual focus and attach MIOPS Smart to it. When the bird comes, you can trigger the camera using your smartphone.
The second method is to build a laser trap by using the laser trigger mode of it. In this method, the camera will click the pictures automatically. Set up the camera the same as the first method. Now you need to fix a laser pointer and MIOPS Smart in a way that when the bird comes, it cuts the laser light and the trigger will click the picture. Take a look at the following image, it’s a top view of the setup.
When the bird will come between the laser pointer and MIOPS Smart, it’ll sense it and click the picture. If you are an advanced photographer, you may use flashes and a paper background to click some extraordinary pictures.
So, here are some tips and tricks for hummingbird photography. Use it to click some outstanding pictures. All the best.
[blognewsletter]
]]>