1. First
check your camera to make sure the settings are what you want. If you put your
camera in a backpack it is possible the settings could be changed or perhaps you
have not returned the settings from a previous trip and they would be different
for the outing for the day. As you learn more about your F stops, field of
vision, depth of field, shutter speeds, ISO settings, and what various lenses
actually do, it will be more important to be sure your camera is ready for the
outing for that particular day.
2. Realize that poor weather gives you different opportunities if you are
one that wants to catch the waves coming over rock one at Piedras Blancas, etc.
However, poor weather may also mean your subjects (if you are after birds) may
not be as available. Wind and high tides mean fewer pictures, most of the time.
3. If you are shooting a subject that will move (reptiles, mammals, birds),
take a photo as soon as you can, and then continue to take as many as possible
as you advance. If your camera takes bursts, use this feature, especially when
you think the subject is about to move. Pictures taken from a distance may be
able to be cropped and sharpened with iphoto, Photoshop Essentials, Photoshop
CS3, flickr (see Mike’s handout), etc. [Editor: Rule
#1 Never disturb or frighten your subject]
4. When taking close ups (or Macros), be sure that you learn where to set
up or focus your camera, as it will make a big difference on your results. Many
cameras (including point and shoot cameras) have close up capabilities. It you
are taking a picture of most animals, the eyes are the best thing to focus on,
which will make a good picture.
5. The way to get the eyes in focus with some cameras is to press the
shutter down until it is in focus, and then pan away from the eyes, and take the
picture. If you are taking a picture of a flower, the anthers are good to get
in focus, and then pan away from the picture. If you are taking invertebrates,
decide what you want to be in focus and use the same process.
6. If you are taking a picture of two people standing a little bit away
from each other, focus on one and then pan to pick up both of them, as otherwise
the camera may focus in between them, and they will both be out of focus. Some
cameras have a feature to look for faces, which would be good at this point.
7. Take lots of pictures, especially if the subject is a rare picture.
Most good photographers throw out many of their pictures and keep very few.
8. Get to know the camera that you have before you upgrade. Get a notepad,
and write down the settings that you are trying out. Now look at them on the
computer, and evaluate what you have done. This is very time consuming, but
will aid you a lot in the future. The better you know your camera, the more
your pictures will improve.
9. Light is of utmost importance. When you take your pictures, be sure the
head or the eyes are in adequate light, or use a flash to fill in even during
the day. It is good to take a picture with and without a flash and evaluate the
difference. Again, you can adjust the setting with your computer.
10. Check with Garry, Joyce, Kevin, Mike and me to see what lenses we feel
might be most useful to you. We each have different ideas about the types of
pictures that we take. Also consult with others in the DPW, as they may have
similar equipment or even equipment that you may want to purchase in the future.
Look through our lenses too, and then see the results on flickr. You may be
surprised.
11. If you are taking tide pool pictures, be very careful to NOT change lenses
as the spray may get on your sensors. If this happens, and you do not have self
cleaning sensors and you do not know how to clean your sensors, it might cost
you $50.00 to have Jim’s Camera do this for you.
12. Be sure to shut your camera off when changing lenses.
13. DO NOT hurry between rocks, and watch for slippery algae, especially in
Zone one. Some algae are much better to walk on than others! We will teach you
which are better than others on the tide pool DPW. You certainly do NOT want to
fall down with your camera. If you get your camera in the salt water, you can
pretty much kiss it good bye. It is a good idea to insure your camera with a
rider to add to your home insurance.
14. Look for invertebrates that are under protected areas, look for contrast.
For example, as octopus is very hard to photograph, but certain algae are very
easy. If you see a blob, it might just open up to a beautiful nudibranch for
you. BE PATIENT.
15. Let others know when you have a good photo opportunity. Post your photos
online on Flickr, and you will get comments on how to improve or compose or
crop, etc.