Depending on where you live, you may be experiencing the Summer or monsoons in the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere maybe experiencing Winter weathers slowly transitioning into Spring. This is a time when people spend most of their time outdoors and photographers have a number of opportunities to photograph water features in nature, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.
Photo by Adrian Mag
Water features look magical when captured using long exposure techniques during certain times of the day under the right light conditions. In this article we have put together a collection of 25 long exposure photos of water features in nature, that may inspire you to go out and capture some yourself.
Natural water features are found all around us if we move slightly from the most urbanised areas. Streams, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, oceans, are all great subjects to photograph using the long exposure technique. This technique renders a great mood, atmosphere and some dynamism to an otherwise static image.
Long exposure photography can surprise you with stunning results and if you are looking for a creative surprise in your photography, we recommend you to check out this eBook “The Complete Guide To Long Exposure Photography” by Photzy.
Photo by Landon Arnold
Photo by Intricate Explorer
Photo by James Feaver
Photo by Thomas Le
Photo by David Becker
Photo by Riccardo Cervia
Photo by Fulvio Cassani
Photo by Bruno do Val
Long exposure is not difficult if you get the basics right and an understanding of light and the gear required. You do not need to spend weeks or months practicing the long exposure craft in photography, but just refer to this eBook “The Complete Guide To Long Exposure Photography” by Photzy. This guide comes with 119 easy to follow pages that provide precise training for long exposure photography. It also comes with detailed descriptions and visual references to ensure you get a complete understanding of the craft.
Photo by Richard R
Photo by Hans Isaacson
Photo by Jms
Photo by Anthony Cantin
Photo by William Warby
Photo by Samuele Bertoli
Photo by Tapio Haaja
Photo by Soumya Banerjee
When capturing long exposure images, you also need to make sure that you capture sharp photos under the right conditions using the right gear and setup. Whether you are a beginner or an amateur looking to brush up your knowledge or someone looking to learn more about capturing creative long exposure shots, we recommend you to check out this eBook “The Complete Guide To Long Exposure Photography” by Photzy.
If you have followed my ramblings for a while here at Light Stalking, you will know there is one technique that I really like as a way to improve creativity.
That technique is to restrict yourself.
That can be done in different ways. Using a single prime lens is one that I talked about recently. Restricting the number of shots you take is another, as is revisiting the same location multiple times.
Today, I would like to talk about another restrictive technique that I think really boosts your creativity. Limiting yourself to just one hour. I tried it out recently for a YouTube video I was creating and found it a very compelling way to get more creative, and the images I have used in this article were taken in that one period. Let me explain a little more.
Restricting yourself in photography, in general, might seem a counterintuitive way of doing things. After all, digital gave us the freedom to shoot as much as we liked for as long as we wanted (given enough batteries).
That, however, is the problem. That freedom to continue shooting everything can often come at the cost of creativity. We speed up, we shoot everything and anything, our photography becomes less considered, less patient, and in my opinion, less creative. I have a disdain for photographers who boast on social media about how many shots they got on a particular shoot. I would rather have 5 good shots than 500 average shots.
Adding any of the restrictions I mentioned above, you will tighten up your compositions, take more time, and get better shots.
When we go out with no fixed time frame in which to capture images, we can get lazy. We can overthink a single image, or conversely, we can try to capture far too much without thinking creatively. We can get a good shot, but ignore the fact that the light is going to improve in 5 minutes, missing out on a great shot. In short, we lose focus on what’s important.
Many of us live busy lives, and often that can mean that when we do get the chance to take some photos, we tend to try and shoot as much as we can.
As I mentioned, restricting yourself in general can be a very good thing in photography. Restricting yourself to one hour has some very specific and perhaps surprising results.
The first thing that you will notice is that you start to think and compose quicker. You start to notice things faster and, in turn, see more of the details in a shot. You may well start to see the light differently, how it can change minute by minute at a given location.
Another thing that you may well notice is that you don’t actually feel rushed. You are not trying to cram in as many shots as you can, rush around from location to location. That lack of haste is actually a creativity boost. You will find yourself slowing down despite the time restriction.
So, how would you go about a one-hour photo shoot?
The first thing is to manage your expectations. Not just about what you will capture but the location and the weather as well. The concept works best without too much preplanning.
Pick a location that you think will be suitable. It could be a district of a city or town, a beach, or perhaps a mountain landscape. Choose a time to go and shoot, and don’t worry too much about the weather.
In terms of equipment, don’t weigh yourself down with loads of kit. Like having too much time, having too much gear leads to indecision on what lens to use, whether to set up a tripod, etc. I like to restrict myself to one camera, one lens, which can be a prime or zoom. My preference is for zooms when shooting in just one hour.
Get to the location and take a few minutes just to relax and look around. Then set a timer on your phone for exactly one hour and just wander. Try not to look at the timer; doing so can introduce haste. Instead, take your time to observe, compose and shoot. The key to a one-hour photo shoot is not the quantity, but the quality.
If a particular shot or location is working, don’t feel the need to rush it and move on; instead, simply enjoy what you are doing. I would also advise not to chimp your photos, trust your instinct and enjoy the fruits of your labour when you get home. Often, chimping can lead us to continually retake the same shot, as well as delete shots that might not have worked. Those poor shots are worth keeping as they show us where we went wrong.
When the timer alarm goes off, stop shooting, regardless of what you are taking at that moment. Put the camera away, perhaps get a coffee, relax and think back over the shots that you have taken.
In a single one-hour shoot, you will learn not to rush and to take time with individual compositions rather than shooting everything you see. However, if you use the one-hour technique on a regular and frequent basis, you will learn much more.
The first and perhaps most important thing is that you will become much more instinctive with your camera controls. The simple act of raising the camera, choosing the settings, and shooting will become second nature.
You will find yourself scanning a scene much more carefully, yet picking out good compositions much quicker. You will also find yourself working on a single composition instead of hunting for many.
Perhaps most importantly, you will find yourself gaining confidence. Confidence not only in your ability with the camera, but also with the work you are capturing.
Restricting your photography to just one hour might seem counterintuitive; however, if you try it out regularly, you will soon find your creativity improving and your ability with the camera getting more instinctive. That can only be a good thing considering the limited time you need to put into it.
We have heard of many incidents in national parks where wildlife walk away or play with expensive camera gear. Most of the incidents happen during wildlife safaris where a photographer may have accidentally dropped their gear or the gear fell off their bags, etc.
Image via Dansen Raddy
One of the most recent incidents is one where a lion walked away with a photographer’s very expensive lens and looks like this incident happened in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Park. The incident was captured by another photographer, who posted the footage on his Instagram.
The footage was shared on many social media channels, reposted by other accounts and has gone viral. While a lot of viewers found the footage funny and entertaining, it has raised concerns and a bit of anger among other wildlife photographers.
As photographers, we always need to be ethical and mindful of the wildlife and their surroundings. Incidents like these only show that photographers are more concerned about getting the shot than being more responsible.
A lot of comments on the video shared here talk about how these incidents should not be entertained. Looks like there are also instances where photographers intentionally drop their gear to gain popularity on social media which is really sad, and more so when one claims to be a serious photographer.
While some viewers commented that the scene seem like a planned one, there are comments from witnesses who mention that it was an accident. Other concerns raised were how close the photographers and their vehicles were to the animals, which is not acceptable at all in photography and raises questions about giving animals their space and not disturbing them or their environment when capturing their photographs.
What are your thoughts on incidents like these and the rise in the number of such incidents? Let us know in the comments section below.
We have more news for you to read if you are interested at this link here.
When photographers travel abroad, one of the most crucial matters they need to be aware and take care of is safety for their gear and themselves. There are many incidents of thieves snatching cameras from photographers all around the world and a very few are usually able to get their equipment back.
Photo by Filtergrade
In Barcelona, Spain, a Chinese photographer, Jia Daming, was able to choke down the thief who snatched his camera and this news has gone viral for his heroic act. Footage of the incident can be found here on X. The photographer was not harmed and was able to get his equipment back.
The photographer who travels the world to shoot for fashion, celebrity brands and wedding photography, was filming a newlywed couple in a famous landmark in Barcelona, Spain, when a group of three men tried to steal the camera. The photographer got hold of one of the thieves while the other two fled the scene.
Witnesses in that area, besides capturing this incident, quickly called the local police to report the incident. The thief was choked by the photographer in an act of self-defence and to restrain him till the police arrived. The police handcuffed the thief and according to other reports, the police are investigating this matter.
The footage from the scene have been shared on social media and has attracted millions of views. Onlookers and social media users applauded the photographer for his brave act. While it can be very dangerous to restrain a thief, it looks like the photographer used martial arts to neck choke hold the thief and this can sometimes even cause death because of the restricted air and blood flow to the brain.
We have more news for you to read if you are interested at this link here.
Well over a decade ago, I wrote an article predicting the death of the DSLR. I got quite a lot of criticism for such an idiotic prediction, and yet, here we are today, with only one company, Pentax, still making DSLRs and even then to a fairly niche market. My article was about the fact that companies would stop making them, not that DSLRs would suddenly disappear, and that has proved to be true.
The rise of mirrorless cameras was a juggernaut that, like the rise of digital, was unstoppable and inevitable. However, just because a technology is redundant doesn’t mean that it becomes irrelevant.
The technology in DSLRs may not be as feature-packed as current mirrorless cameras, but the sensors were, in many cases, as good. In fact, some modern mirrorless cameras still share the same sensors as their older DSLR equivalents.
Today, I want to examine why buying or owning a DSLR in the mirrorless era still makes sense.
Mirrorless cameras far outnumber DSLR sales these days. By FOX ^.ᆽ.^= ∫
The Cost of DSLRs is Attractive
Does it seem to you that the price of cameras has increased exponentially? I think that whilst the price of high-end professional cameras has not increased much from the DSLR days, there seems to be a dearth of cheaper, budget-friendly mirrorless cameras.
Back in the DSLR days, there were excellent cameras such as the Nikon D5000 that could be bought for well under $1000, with a lens. There is very little in that price range today.
However, if you are looking to get into photography or you are on a tight budget, there is now an incredible range of used DSLRs on the market. Not only that, many camera companies have had to update their lens mounts to enable newer technologies, and so the used lens market is equally as buoyant.
For newer photographers looking to start learning without spending a king’s ransom, there are some amazing deals to be had. For $200-$300, you can get an 18-24mp pixel, well-specced DSLR body, and a little more will get you a decent lens to go with it.
High end DSLRs can be had for less than the price of a budget mirrorless. By AS Photography
For more advanced photographers who want something a bit higher grade, a few hundred dollars will get you into the Nikon D4 or Canon EOS 5D IV, both incredibly robust and capable cameras.
There has never been a better time to invest in a DSLR, especially if money is a little tight.
About Optical Viewfinders…
I will be honest with you, I love the electronic viewfinder on my Sony a7Rv. However, even today, it is exceptional, with a very high MP count and low lag. There are many that lament the demise of the reflex optical viewfinder for good reason.
They certainly had some major advantages, they were generally much brighter than EVs, did not suffer from lag, and some will say, gave you a connection to your subject – although personally I don’t subscribe to that. However, one of their biggest advantages is that they require little to no power, with the exception of the fairly limited exposure information.
There is still a lot to be said for an optical viewfinder. By Victor Ralda
There are some disadvantages that we should mention. Whilst bright, it could be a struggle in low light to nail focus. Modern electronic viewfinders can boost the gain and allow you to see in much lower light, however, this is at the cost of extra lag. It’s also worth noting that not all DSLRs had great viewfinders. On more budget cameras, particularly APS-C, the viewfinder was often smaller, with less coverage and less brightness.
With that said, there is still a lot to be said for a reflex viewfinder, especially given the cost of used DSLRs.
Durability and Handling is Superior!
As mentioned above, it is possible to buy a professional-level DSLR for a few hundred dollars these days. Whilst that might not be a good choice for a beginner, for experienced photographers who are using their cameras day in and day out, in all weather, it can make perfect sense.
The reason for this is simple durability. All professional DSLR cameras are built like tanks, sturdy, metal bodies, often made from lightweight magnesium alloys and high-level weather sealing.
A modern professional mirrorless camera will, of course, have all of this, but it will set you back $4000 plus for the body alone. As mentioned earlier a pro-level DSLR, even a late model, can cost less than $1000 and could easily last another 10 years if looked after. Even the mid-level DSLRs, such as the Nikon D800, were incredibly well built and came in even cheaper than the pro models.
Another advantage, to some, of the DSLR is the handling. Many mirrorless cameras can feel quite small in the hand, whilst even mid-range DSLRs feel chunky and often have very nice, deep grips on them. If you have larger hands, you may well find a DSLR more suitable.
Remember that I said that the viewfinder did not require power? Will it’s a little more complex than that.
Because the viewfinder is optical, the camera’s sensor does not need to stay on all the time the viewfinder is being used. This is one of the primary reasons that battery life is much better on DSLR cameras.
Battery life on mirrorless cameras has improved and will continue to do so, but it is still a long way off matching an older DSLR.
Like lenses, there are also plenty of used camera batteries on the market, as well as third party vendors, meaning you can power your camera for a lot cheaper as well as a lot longer.
In a similar vein to cost, there will be many photographers that are still shooting with their DSLRs. Social media and, to a certain extent, peer pressure can tempt people to part with cash they don’t necessarily have despite having a decent DSLR system already.
If your camera is giving you great results and is well-maintained, why feel that pressure to get on the GAS treadmill? There are arguments that as DSLRs become less and less common, it will be harder to buy accessories for them, however, that time is a long, long way off. Look at the number of film cameras and lenses still available on the used market. Even if something fails on your DSLR, there is a good chance there will be plenty of spares and repair models available, and there are always plenty of camera technicians to repair them for you. Even in the worst case scenario, you will only need to replace like for like, all your lenses will still continue to be valid.
The demise of the DSLR as a new camera has happened, and it is unlikely that there will be any renaissance. However, we had a good 20 years of the DSLR and there are literally millions of them available as used bargains. If you are looking to get into photography or perhaps get into more professional-level gear, yet are on a budget, a used DSLR system makes very sound financial and practical sense.
While we spend most of our time here at PopPhoto nerding out about the latest and greatest photography gear, we’re also suckers for truly old-school photo content. This fascinating video outlines what it was like to be a professional photographer in 1946.
Obviously, the industry, technology, and, well, pretty much everything has changed quite a bit back then. But some things do sound familiar. For instance, it’s weird to hear that there was an abundance of people in the profession even back then. The tools were obviously much less accessible than they are now, but even back then, people wanted to get in on the pro photography game.
Videos like this are truly a time capsule, and I have to wonder what it will feel like for people in 2100 to look back on the state of the industry in 2023. Our precious megapixels will likely feel so quaint.
Camera cleaning tools may not be very glamorous, but they are necessary. Keeping your equipment clean not only prevents you from having to spend time editing out water spots or smudges that were on your lens, but it can also keep your camera and lenses working better for longer. The LensPen is one of the most versatile and popular lens-cleaning tools around. And while it isn’t expensive when full-priced, it is currently 50 percent off, which is its lowest price ever on Amazon. It’s a great time to pick one (or some) up for yourself, or maybe as stocking stuffers for photographers you know.
The LensPen is a very simple tool that could really come in handy on or even in-between shoots. It utilizes a patented carbon cleaning compound on one end, which cleans your lens without any fluids required. The other end features a soft, retractable brush for when you just have some dust that needs to be swept away. It lasts a long time, but at this price, it wouldn’t hurt to pick up a few to keep in different camera bags so that you are never without.
Early Black Friday deals on organization & storage solutions
For most of us (including myself), more than just our camera gear needs to be cleaned. Here are some deals to help you out if cleaning up and organizing your office or equipment storage area is on your list this fall and winter.
