Boost Your Photography

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

How to Photograph Frozen Bubbles

We interrupt our look-back at the Top 5 Top 5 posts of last year to bring you ...

bubbles, frozen bubbles, frozen bubble photography, how to, photography

There has been a series of photographs making the rounds of social media sites of frozen bubbles with intricate, frost-like patterns (as seen here: http://www.boredpanda.com/frozen-bubbles-winter-photography-angela-kelly/). Since it has been ridiculously cold here in the Upper Midwest, what better chance to try and see how to replicate such shots. The detailed how to description is below.

Supplies

The supplies are fairly basic for creating and photographing bubbles. The main ingredient, of course, is what you are going to use to make the bubbles. I used generic, store-bought bubble solution, while the original photographer used a homemade solution of dish soap, karo syrup, and water. Use what you have.

You will also want the capability to take close-up or macro photographs. You can use a dedicated macro lens, like the Canon 100mm macro, if you have it, or you can use inexpensive macro options like close-up lenses (pictured, available online for less than $15USD), which allow you to change the minimum focusing distance of your lens and get closer to your subject. I used a +2 close-up lens on my 50mm f/1.8 lens for all the photographs in this post.

Finally, be sure that you are adequately prepared for the weather. Temperatures were right around 0F when I was shooting, so I made sure to double layer my gloves, wearing both the knit pair shown above and a pair of down mittens that could fold back to free my fingers as needed. Be sure you have a warm coat, pants, scarf, hat, etc. Consider trying this technique just outside of a warm house or building so that you can quickly get inside if you get cold or spill bubble solution all over your gloves, etc.

Technique for Blowing and Photographing Frozen Bubbles

The keys to blowing and then photographing frozen bubbles are patience and a bit of practice. Expect the majority of your bubbles to burst, either immediately after being blown or when they hit the ground. While the bubbles will be freezing at they fall, they are still likely to pop when they impact the ground. You also need to beware of wind. Calm conditions will make it much easier for you to keep and corral your bubbles.

I had the best results with bubbles that I was able to 'recapture' on the bubble blowing wand. This allowed them the time to slowly freeze over and also gave me the option to move them around to get a better background for photographing. Even at below zero temperatures, it took longer than I expected for the bubbles to fully freeze over. Expect to be holding onto them for a full minute or more.

Even a burst bubble can be interesting.

I highly recommend practicing your bubble blowing, catching, and photographing technique indoors first. For me, I chose to hold the bubble solution in my right hand and to dip and hold the wand with my left. I kept my camera slung diagonally across my chest, with the camera around to the back (to avoid dripping any bubble solution on it). Once I had a bubble successfully caught and freezing, then I could set down the bubble solution, scoop up my camera, and start shooting with my right hand only.

For camera settings, I chose to shot in Shutter Priority Mode (Tv on Canon, S on Nikon) with an ISO of 200 and a shutter speed of 1/80th of a second. Depending on the light, this gave me a range of aperture values between around f/14-22. I chose 1/80th of a second since it was fast enough for hand-holding a 50mm lens, and the camera would then pick the largest aperture value possible, allowing for a great depth of field (range of the bubble surface in focus). In brighter light, you would be able to choose an even faster shutter.

Go Forth and Experiment

Once you have mastered the techniques, there are endless ways to customize your frozen bubble photographs. Think about choosing your time of day based on the sun, either rising or setting, to get great golden light and hints of sun in your background. Practice blowing and freezing bubbles and accumulating several to feature in a single image. Or choose a specific detail to feature and focus on. You will be amazed at what you can create!

Catch up on the rest of our Top 5 roundup of Top 5 posts:

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Monday, January 6, 2014

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Boost Your Photography in the New Year

Happy New Year! Are you someone who makes New Years Resolutions? Even if you are not, the start of the New Year is a great time to make a commitment to improving your photography. This post will introduce you to several different photography projects and ideas to consider. You can, of course, start any of these projects at any time … so why not start today?

365 Project

A 365 project is the gold standard of photography project commitments: the decision to take at least one photograph every day for a year. If you are looking for a way to vastly boost your photography and solidify your skills and commitment, then you should consider a 365 project. We all lament how we don't have time for photography or how we wish that we could do more with our camera; tackling a 365 project will rid you of excuses and get you into the routine of daily photography.

Example of a month of 365 shots, here from this past November

I started my 365 project three years ago, on the second of January, 2011. (Even I was a bit behind in getting in on the New Year's resolution-making.) Now, well over 1000 days later, can honestly say that it was the best photography decision I could have made. I have learned immeasurably much about my camera, how to use it, where to find motivation, and what works for me, photographically. I have also found the impact of a supportive photography community and the importance of accountability – even if it is accountability to people you have never met in person.

Interested? Want to find out more? Check out 365Project.org and consider joining for free today. And if you do, you can look me up at 365project.org/archaeofrog. Also, look for a full length article about 365 Project coming out next week on Digital Photography School.

52 Weeks Project

Intimidated by the idea of daily photography but still want to accept a challenge for the New Year? Consider instead a 52 weeks project. Just like the name implies, a 52 weeks project is a scaled back version, where the focus is on using your camera and taking pictures at least once a week for a year. This is still a great motivator to keep you using your camera and learning new skills. There are several different web sites and Flickr groups geared toward 52 weeks projects too.

100 Strangers Challenge

A 100 strangers challenge does not have a time frame but instead focuses on a specific type of photography: street portraits of strangers. Many photographers find street photography both intriguing and intimidating, and the 100 strangers challenge was designed to push you out of your comfort zone and into street photography. The premise is simple: find and photograph 100 strangers. Most participants opt for a more involved approach – talking to and interacting with their subjects before asking permission to take the photograph – rather than a more covert 'smash and grab' approach of shooting from farther away with a longer lens. Some photographers even put together small business cards to hand out, to allow their 'strangers' to see and access the final photographs. There are many 100 strangers groups on Flickr and Facebook, with more information and encouragement. Read more about the 100 Strangers Project here.

A seller and his stand at the neighborhood Farmers' Market

Capturing the Seasons

Now is a great time to think about starting a year-long rephotography project. January and February are great months for winter seasonal photographs, so you can start scouting out potential locations. Think about choosing a scene that will show off the dramatic differences in the seasons in your area: trees, flowers, or other natural areas are a great choice. Read more about Capturing the Seasons with Rephotography here.

Tagging and Catching Up on Old Photographs

This is probably the least exciting but most important photography project that you could undertake, particularly if you are a prolific photographer. If you do not have a consistent plan for storing, organizing, and tagging your photographs, you need one. If you can no longer find that one, perfect photograph you took of the waterfall last summer, then what was the point of having taken it?

Sit down and spend a few minutes thinking about how to organize your photographs. Because I shoot every day, I use keep my photographs organized in folders by day and then keep those folders in folders organized by year and then month. I use Google's free image editor and organizer, Picasa, but there are many other programs available for importing and organizing photos.

Screenshot of Picasa

When faced with a mountainous task, like sorting, organizing, and tagging all the photos you have ever taken up to this point, it is easy to get overwhelmed. There are a few easy tricks you can put into action that can help keep things manageable. (Some of these are based on ideas from Gretchen Rubin's books and blog: http://gretchenrubin.com/.)

Start now and work backwards. As you take new pictures, import them into an organized system and develop a way to easily tag, sort, or rank them for future reference. (Read more about what types of tags to use and why here.

Devote 15 minutes a day to dealing with older photographs. Set a timer and see what you can get done in only 15 minutes. Maybe for the first while, all you get done is putting pictures in folders or simply finding where they are on your computer. The idea behind the 15 minutes is that it is a small enough that you can commit to it but long enough that you will actually see progress quickly. Give it a try, and see what you think!

Summary: Photography Resolutions

The New Year is always a good opportunity to take some time for reflection and to think about what you want to accomplish in the upcoming year. This post has provided several different projects to boost your photography and get you started on the road toward photography growth and improvement. Think about which might be a good fit for you: a 365 project of daily photography, a 52 weeks project of weekly photography, the 100 strangers challenge of meeting and photographing people on the street, trying to capture all four seasons throughout the course of the year, or sitting down and finally getting those old photographs tagged and organized. What will you choose? Let us know in the comments!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Must Have Accessories for Your (New) Camera

Must Have Accessories for Your (New) DSLR Camera | Boost Your Photography

There is more to purchasing a new camera than just deciding about the body and lens(es). Once you have made that big decision, there are some follow-up accessory purchases that you should make. This post will provide a quick overview of the most common 'must have' accessories for your new camera.

UV Filter

A UV filter is a screw-on filter that protects both your lens and your camera body. It is easily cleaned and helps protect your lens from dirt and dust. A UV filter also cuts down on the impact of UV rays on your camera and sensor. When purchasing a UV filter, you need to know the diameter of your lens (indicated with the Ø symbol). Recommended brands for filters include B+W and Hoya. Read more about the importance of UV filters in this post on Lens Accessories.

Spare Battery

You should always have at least one spare battery on hand. That way, you do not have to worry about how many shots are left on your current battery. That way, when one battery gets low, you can immediately replace it with a fresh battery. Off-brand batteries are often available that match the battery that came with your camera: just do a search for the battery name. I use both Promaster and Sterlingtek batteries with my Canon. Read more about batteries in How Long Does Your Camera Battery Last?

Extra Memory Card

Along with a spare battery, you should also have an extra memory card on hand. Memory cards continue to fall in price and are often heavily discounted around the holidays. You can also purchase a small, waterproof and weather-sealed case to hold your spare cards. Read more in Travel Photography Must Haves.

Lens Cap Holder

Lens caps are small, fiddly, and often misplaced. These simple holders attach via adhesive to your lens cap and then you can wrap the band around your wrist or lens. A quick and easy way to keep track of your lens cap.

LensPen

You want to be sure to keep your new camera clean. A LensPen is a handy double-sided cleaning tool for your camera lens. One end has a retractable brush for brushing away dust and particles, while the other end has and a flattened tip with a carbon cleaning compound. Use small circular motions to wipe away grime and fingerprints. The LensPen is so-called for its pen shape, which makes it easy to transport and keep one on hand when you go out shooting. Read more in Keeping Your Camera and Sensor Clean.

Camera Case

A camera case is an important, and often overlooked, camera accessory. There are two primary purposes for camera bags (carrying your camera and supplies when shooting and for holding your camera, lenses, and supplies at home), and you may want to consider different bags for both.

Think about the types of shooting that you do before purchasing a bag. For those who do a lot of street photography or want to remain inconspicuous, the Crumpler brand of camera bags are very popular, including the Crumpler 5 Million Dollar Bag, shown above. Backpack-style bags are popular with those who do a lot of traveling or like to change lenses often. Personally, unless I am traveling extensively, I keep my camera out when shooting and use my regular purse to carry accessories, filters, and my remote.

For home use, you also want to have a dedicated area or bag(s) for storing your camera, lenses, and other supplies. Keeping your photography equipment clean and organized will make it easier for you to use and access it whenever you need it. Since I know that I will not be traveling with this bag, I just use the inexpensive, not well-padded bulky bag that came with in the 'kit' with my DSLR camera and lenses. For traveling, I have a more compact, padded bag with a built-in waterproof cover: the Lowe Pro Nova.

Camera Wrap

Another often-overlooked camera accessory is a camera wrap. Rather than a case, a wrap is simply a neoprene sleeve for your camera. This is useful for times when you are traveling with your camera and not with a dedicated case. I often use my camera wrap to hold my camera in my purse when I am out traveling with my camera but not shooting at the time.

Remote Shutter Release

A remote shutter release allows you to operate your camera remotely – whether you are using a corded remote plugged into your camera or a wireless version. A remote is useful for keeping your camera stable when shooting with a tripod, triggering shots when you want to include yourself in the picture, and shooting pictures with a shutter speed longer than 30 seconds (using the Bulb setting). Read more in Easy Photography Upgrade: Get a Remote Shutter Release.

Tripod

A tripod is a useful photography tool, and tripods come in many varieties and styles. You may want to consider buying two different tripods: a small travel tripod, like a GorillaPod, and a full-size tripod for more serious use.

A GorillaPod is a small, flexible tripod. You can use it like a traditional tripod, or you can manipulate the legs to wrap around something and hold up your camera. You can also buy a ball-head with level attachment. The ball-head is extremely useful, as it allows you to easily level your camera without re-adjusting the legs. If you purchase a GorillaPod, you want to buy the correct version for your size of camera, as there is a smaller, thinner version for point-and-shoot cameras and a larger, chunkier version for DSLRs.

If you are serious about wanting to use a tripod, then you will want to buy a full-size version as well. There are many varieties of full-size tripods, so you will need to decide which features are important for you. Pricier versions are often lighter or more compact. Many brands, like Vanguard, will come with a lifetime warranty. Take this into account when purchasing a tripod, as a larger investment now may be one that you do not need to ever make again. (I recently had an adjustment button on my Vanguard Alta break during rough transport, and my local camera store was able to ship it off and get it replaced for free within only two weeks. While it was tough to be without my tripod for those weeks, but it was well worth not having to buy a new one!)

Read more about How to Maximize Your Tripod.

Summary: Camera Accessories

There are many things to consider with your new camera, and this post has served just to highlight some of the most common and most useful ones. If you are just starting out, be sure to purchase, at minimum, a UV filter, an extra battery, a spare memory card, and a LensPen or other cleaning supplies. Then, as you can, think about adding a lens cap holder, a camera case and/or wrap, a remote shutter release, and a tripod and/or GorillaPod. You will find these invaluable as you continue on your photographic journey.

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Creative Christmastime Photography

Christmas is a holiday of love and lights and provides many opportunities for interesting and creative photographs. This post is meant to inspire your own Christmastime photographs with some ideas and examples of creative Christmas-themed images (and to give you some ideas of photographs you can take without bothering the rest of the family!).

Make the Tree Shine

You can add an extra sparkle to your Christmas tree by turning the lights into starbursts. You will need a tripod to hold the camera steady, and a remote shutter release will help. Use a wide angle lens, such as 18 mm. In aperture priority mode, set an ISO of 100 and an aperture of f/22. This narrow aperture will cause each miniature light to be rendered as a starburst. Read more about starbursts in my guest post on Digital Photography School.

Go for Silhouette

You can use just the glow of the Christmas tree to create interesting silhouettes. This is a great technique to use with children as well, as the glow of the lights mirrors the excitement for Christmas on their faces. Expose the scene for the Christmas tree and glow, before positioning the person or persons for the silhouettes. (Read more on Explaining Exposure and Exposure Compensation.) Try to use a mid-range or narrow aperture to amplify the glow and starburst effect. The photograph above was shot at ISO 100, f/8, and a shutter speed of 3.2 seconds. (Trying to get f/22 would have been a much, much longer shutter speed, and it would have been difficult for the subject to hold still that long without blur becoming evident in the final image.)

Use Bokeh

Two earlier posts this month explored the idea of bokeh and how to use it creatively in photographs: All about Bokeh and Shaped Bokeh. Christmas trees and other strings of Christmas lights offer an easy bokeh-filled background. You will need a lens with a wide aperture (like f/1.8 or f/3.5) for best results. For more details, read the previous posts.

In this photograph, the entire tree is used as a bokeh background for the statue. The implied shape of the tree is visible in the patterning of the bokeh and serves to form a connection between the two figures carrying home their Christmas tree and the real tree in the background. Using the entire tree as a bokeh shape can make an interesting backdrop for many kinds of shots.

Capture the Whole House

Outdoor holiday lights are another possible Christmas photography subject. Plan to photograph the lights on a clear night during the Blue Hour, which starts about 15-20 minutes after sunset. Read all of the details in the post on How to Photograph Outdoor Holiday Lights.

Focus on the Details

Christmas decorations and traditions make excellent subjects for a still life. Here, the Christmas cards and Christmas cookies are complemented by a glowing arrangement of ornaments and lights. Think about featuring a memorable or significant decoration in its own photograph. Below is a small vignette created with miniature Christmas houses and characters, made more special as this was taken the first Christmas after I received these from my grandmother.

Remember to Kick Back and Enjoy It

And of course, do not forget that Christmas is also a time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday, surrounded by people you love. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas!