National Geographic Digital Photography Tips

[kbob]

They have a series of articles on tips for different types of photography:

http://photography.nationalgeographi...phy/photo-tips

Some nice tips there, from those that have been doing this for a long long time...

[voyager529]

Thanks for the link, kbob!

While very little information here is groundbreaking, it is great to have a reminder.

Joey

[dansphoto]

great link .
Thanks.
I wish all wanabee photographers would read this

[kbob]

A few quick tips:

Watch your backgrounds!!!

Just don't do it-divide the image in two for the horizon etc...

Watch your backgrounds!!!

Just don't do it-don't try to use your on camera flash from the back of the church!

Watch your backgrounds!!!

Just don't do it-please don't line everyone up next to each other, facing into the sun, squinting at the camera!

Watch your backgrounds!!!

Just don't do it-don't leave your camera at home-ever! You just never know...

...and did I mention, watch your backgrounds?

[greg4god]

Originally Posted by kbob

Just don't do it-don't try to use your on camera flash from the back of the church!

Several times I have had people come to me to ask/comment about why the picture didn't come out from exactly this. "I used the flash"

When I bought my new camera system earlier this year, since I was splurging, that is one thing I wanted for sure, a "decent" flash. Got the previous Canon rebel when the new one came out. Still trying to figure it all out..

Anyone have one can maybe tell me, how the heck to focus on something in the sky? We had air show each year, and the f-15s that do the fly by are literally right over the tree tops at my house. Couldn't figure out how to do it, so I did an approximate, set the focus to manual, then held the button down while adjusting the focus. Out of 10, 2 came out good

-Greg

[kbob]

I think the main issue would be you need super fast shutter speeds, and use the smallest f-stop you can get (16 or smaller, for instance). If you do both of those, and pan through the jets-trailing a bit from behind and scanning past them as you click, you should get good shots.

[Scott S]

Thanks Bob for sharing. I hope to one day shoot for National Geographic!

[WilliamR]

Originally Posted by greg4god

Several times I have had people come to me to ask/comment about why the picture didn't come out from exactly this. "I used the flash"

When I bought my new camera system earlier this year, since I was splurging, that is one thing I wanted for sure, a "decent" flash. Got the previous Canon rebel when the new one came out. Still trying to figure it all out..

Anyone have one can maybe tell me, how the heck to focus on something in the sky?

-Greg

I have the rebel Xti (the new one), so I guess you have the rebel XT. I think it has the features I mention below.

I shoot a lot of the Blue Angels since they are based here and their practices are open.

If you are having problems keeping focus, don't use "auto". Switch to program. Now you can choose AI Servo Focus. Once you focus on an object (like an F15), the camera updates the focus automatically as you track the object. This can make it easier to keep focus on an object moving at 700 mph.

You can practice the technique by getting where you can see a long stretch of an open highway and focusing on a car in the distance and let the camera hold the focus as the car nears you.

If the XT has the multi-point metering, switch to single point. Multi-point has a tendency to focus on the clouds rather than the 700 mph airplane. Use single point to track the plane.

Practice tracking on the opening aircraft in the show, even if you don't want photos of them. It will help you get a feel for following them.

I forget how many continuous shots the XT will fire. The Xti will shoot 27 at 3 per second. If you shoot 27, probably 20 will be good if your original focus is good and you are using AI Servo.

If you are using a tight zoom, try zooming out a bit and use Photoshop to zoom and crop. I shoot mostly in the 100-300mm range.

If you are using just the 18-55mm stock lens that came with the camera, it just does not focus well fast. The USM 28-105 is a reasonable cost alternative:

Amazon.com: Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM...
It's a really good general purpose lens.

Another tip..use a haze filter. It cuts down on the haze/smog/whatever in the air.

Try to go to the practice show if there is one. Usually smaller crowds and you can get an idea the day before the real show what they will be doing and where you need to be. A tip on position if you don't know where to get...centerpoint is good. But a better tip...look for the people with huge lenses that look like they cost as much as a car. They are in the good spot.

Being in the Blue Angel's home city has it advantages. You can watch the practices from the flight line. Sometimes there are just 30-50 people there. It's like having a private air show. Sure beats going with 100,000 plus other people to real show.

[Scott S]

For shooting quick moving objects I would suggest that you use "M" mode and crank up the shutter speed --to make sure you are getting the quickest possible. You might want to use a monopod or rest to make sure you can capture with as little shake as possible.
Rent a a lens for your canon and you will notice a world of difference (lensrentals.com) --- rent a 70-200 2.8 IS and have fun!