LENS CAPTURE

Vol. 2 No. 24


Since I was a few minutes late catching the sunset I had pictured in my head (always masterpieces - at least in my head), I took the opportunity to bracket 7 exposures and create the HDR image below.

Vol. 2 No. 23


Just a few images...

Vol. 1 No. 59

Did I get your attention with the word free?  Hope so.  You need to check out this cool application called The Photographer's Ephemeris.

e⋅phem⋅er⋅is (noun)
A table giving the coordinates of a celestial body at a number of specific times during a given period.

If you love shooting landscapes, or for that matter, enjoy taking in a good sunrise or sunset, you need to check out this software. 



Written by a british photographer living in Colorado, Stephen Trainor has crafted a wonderful photography tool.  The best time for outdoor photography needs advance planning. Scheduling your shoot around sunrise and sunset is not a huge obstacle.  The actual time for these events only changes by a few minutes each day in my neck of the woods.  And it is pretty simple to look up the timetable online.  Where this application shines is precisely depicting, not just when, but where the Sun will be in the sky at any given point specific to the desired location.  It also tracks the Moon's phase, rise, set and azimuth.

Powered by Google Maps, this tool allows you to track these celestial bodies anywhere in the world.  You can use the various features of the built-in Google Maps to zoom, view terrain, satellite imagery, hybrid maps and view the horizon.  Where will the Sun the set over the lake, or say Liberty Island?  It is pretty simple to select a location you plan on shooting from, and view exactly where the sun will be in the sky, down to the minute. 

The latest production version, 1.0.3 even supports netbooks.  It utilizes Adobe Air framework for Rich Internet Applications which provides web interactivity outside of the browser.  The installation is straightforward and the website even has a couple of video tutorials to get you up and running.  While this is a free download, the author does accept donations through his website.

Don't wait, download this now!


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Vol. 1 No. 44

With our Sunset Photo Meet quickly approaching, I thought I would compile a list of tips for photographing great sunsets.

• If you plan properly, you will have about a 30-45 minute window to capture some spectacular images.  This time includes the lead up to sunset and twilight - the soft, diffused light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon, from sunset to nightfall. The light changes significantly during this period.  So you need to think about the elements you want to capture before sunset or you might miss the action.  With sunset at 6:51 pm EDT on the day of our shoot, I recommend arriving no later than 6:00 pm.  The magic of sunset normally begins a half hour prior to the sun setting.
  
  
• Always be careful looking through a viewfinder directly at the sun.  It can be dangerous if the sure is not very low to the horizon.
  
  
• Composition - the act of combining parts or elements to form a whole, or in our case a stunning sunset photograph.  If you have the option of shooting with a variety of focal lengths - do it!  Wide angle focal lengths are great for providing the expansive vista, but the setting sun will extremely small in the image.  If you want the sun to be a feature in your image, then you'll need to zoom in.
    
• Include foreground elements.  Since these will usually be lit from behind by the setting sun, they will become silhouettes.  This will add visual impact.
  
  
• Experiment with your white balance.  If you are shooting with a dSLR then this is easier to manage.  Switch between daylight, cloudy, shade and tungsten (indoor).   If you are using a point and shoot camera, you can achieve similar results by switching through the various scene modes you camera offers.  The result of applying different white balance will be dramatic.
  
  
• If your camera begins to hunt for focus while photographing the setting sun you might miss the shot, or wind up with an out of focus image.  If you are using a point and shoot camera or a dSLR, you will need to focus on something in the frame that has contrast.  Focus on where the horizon or skyline meets the sky, then press and hold the shutter release half-way down until the focus locks.  Continue holding half-way down while you re-compose the image.  Once you have the scene framed the way you want, then completely press down on the shutter release to capture the image.
  
  
• Set you camera's ISO to 100-200.  This will reduce noise in your image and result in slower shutter speeds. 
  
  
• I like setting my camera to aperture-priority (usually marked A or Av) mode especially when shooting sunrises and sunsets.  I start by dialing in an aperture between f/11 to f/16. Just like white balance, you need to experiment.  You will grow tired of hearing me say this during photo walks and meets.
  
  
• If your camera allows for bracketing, I suggest using a one stop difference.
  
  
• In order to keep the colors saturated, I like to shoot slightly under exposed, so I adjust my exposure value (EV).  This is a personal preference since I don't like to add saturation in post production.
  
  
• Do not just photograph the sunset. Turn around and look at areas behind you.  Look how the wonderful colors illuminate the many subjects that will be present.  This lighting might also offer a great portrait opportunity.
  
  
• Tripods are essential for sharp images when you slow down the shutter.  Some sunset/twilight captures can drop the shutter speed to several seconds.  If you can't bring a tripod, look for someplace stable to place the camera. A park bench, a rock or railing might do the trick.
  
  
• Change up the look.  Rotate the camera from horizontal (landscape) to vertical (portrait).  This can add a lot of interest.
  
  
• Don't forget every sunset is unique.  Enjoy it like it's the first one you have ever seen.

Vol. 1 No. 42


Join me for a sunset photography session at Brooklyn Bridge Park on Thursday, September 24, 2009. We will meet promptly at 6:00 PM along the shoreline steps. Sunset is at 6:51 pm and the light waits for no one. The park is located along Plymouth Street between Main Street and Washington Street in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.

Here's where we will meet.

View Brooklyn Bridge Sunset in a larger map


Bring a tripod if you can. Sign-up here.


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Vol. 1 No. 32

Thought I would share a few of images captured during Manhattanhenge. While the moment was fleeting, the crowd watching was hilarious. The mass of photographers, some with their point and shoots, others with their ten yards of glass and tripods, played chicken with the cabs and motoring public at 34th Street and Fifth Avenue.