Photography Tips and Tricks

Taking pictures outside can be fun. It can also be a hassle if you aren’t prepared. Here are ten things to make sure you have with you before taking photos in the great outdoors.

1. Combating Rain

You never know when you may get caught in rain when working al fresco. Make sure to keep a plastic baggy handy to use as a raincoat for your camera. Not only will your camera stay dry, but you can also keep taking pictures through the clear plastic.

2. Fighting Shadows

Take a piece of white cardboard with you. You can use it as a makeshift reflector when trying to rid of shadows on small objects. This is very handy when you are taking macro pictures. Simply take the cardboard and angle it so that the natural sunlight is bouncing off of the cardboard and onto your subject.

3. Blocking Sunlight

The piece of white cardboard can also be used as a shade to rid yourself of glare. Tilt the cardboard between your lens and the light.

4. Tripod

Always carry along a tripod when doing outdoor photography. You will need it to take shots in low light to avoid camera shake. You can buy tripods that fold down to a very manageable size that will fit in most backpacks.

5. Cooling Down

If you are using a film camera, you will want to be careful on warm days. Heat can ruin film. To keep your film perfect, even on the hottest days, pack your camera bag with an ice pack. Choose an ice pack that can be frozen a refrigerator freezer to use for your ice pack. Regular ice will melt and create water, which can damage your equipment. Put the ice pack in a waterproof baggie and tuck it into one of the pockets of your camera bag.

6. Hang On

Your camera’s strap isn’t just for draping over your shoulder. It also acts as a security measure. Make sure that your camera’s strap is around your neck when you are photographing around water. If you drop your camera, the strap will save it from a watery grave.