THE PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE JANUARY
2021
- Ascend the summit pg 9
-The Shades of sky pg 13
- A Vibrant dream city pg 26
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/200 Aperture- f/4.5 35mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
PC- PURAV ACHARYA
ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/60 Aperture- f/5.6 55 mm Shot On- Canon 750D
EDITOR'S NOTE Photographs are the universal language of our era. Photograph speaks. Every picture that we see, depicts a story born out of the imagination of the person behind the lens; the imagination which is inspired by the vibrancy and the colors all around. Colors help us to tell stories and they communicate at an emotional level by making a photo feel exciting, lively, mysterious, or even dramatic. All we need is to broaden our horizons to get those mesmerizing shots that capture the beauty of colors. A picture should have a perfect blend of colors so that it neither looks chaotic nor empty. Colors provide the soul to an image.
Heet Gandhi
With the 4th edition of our magazine – ‘Lens’, we will take you through a colorful journey that includes the wide skies, the majestic mountains, the beauty of blossoms, the sandy deserts, and a modern-day vibrant city. Also included are some small articles on rules from the simplest of devices, the aesthetics of portrait and black and white photography. We would like to thank our seniors for their immense support and guidance and the entire Pratikriti team for their constant help and enthusiastic participation throughout the making of this magazine.
Vageshwari Shekhawat
FOUNDER'S NOTE
Dhrumil Oza Club Pratikriti, IMNU
There are no two photographs that can be compared and no one photograph can be selected as the better one, as it's an art eventually, But still, there can be no photograph that cannot be captured better as there is no limit to it. The exact Sanskrit translation of the word photography is Prati-Kriti. And for us, Pratikriti is an identity as a part of the photography club of the Institute of Management, Nirma University. Pratikriti was founded in Aug 2012 to promote photography and to provide a stage for photography enthusiast MBA students of IMNU to showcase their creative work. And gradually this club has rather become a community where students and pass-outs of IMNU share their work and enhance their creative skills of photography. Initially, when the club was founded, we had the simple idea of promoting photography within the campus. But soon after that, founding members had a vision of making it the biggest photography club among India's all Bschool clubs and committees.
And year-on-year, the club has successfully organized India-level events like Pratibimb, where students from India's B-schools have participated and appreciated the work of Pratikriti. Every year, the club recruits a bunch of fresh minds that work together in order to express their creative skills and manage the club activities, and eventually, club management is handed over to them to take it forward under the consultation of senior members. Beyond photography, I have a vision of making this club the best possible simulation, where MBA students get experiential learning of running an organization and apply all their skills and creativity in real-life. With this, students learn how to build on their passion. I, as a founding member of Pratikriti, would like to welcome every individual to join Pratikriti, who can help the club to create the best learning environment for photography and to make Pratikriti the highest stage for showcasing the photography work among the B-schools.
PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 1600 Shutter Speed- 1/80 Aperture- f/15 42 mm Shot On- Canon EOS 1300D
Contents 09
13
17
SWEET ESCAPE
CLOUDSCAPE
SILHOUETTE SPEAKS
20
26
32
LANGUAGE OF COLOURS
DUBAI
BLOOMING BLOSSOMS
38
44
48
आ प णो RAJASTHAN!
NOIR BLANC
THE PHOTOGRAPHY ESSENTIALS
52
56
PEOPLE, POTRAITS & PHOTOGRAPHY
TELEFON FOTOGRAFIE
PC- TUSHAR VARSHNEY
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/320 Aperture- f/3.5 18 mm Shot On- Nikon D5200
Ascend the Summit!!
-TUSHAR VARSHNEY
Mountains have always been one of the favorite places for photographers. Mountains give a different perspective to any photograph. They are like enigmas to explorers which can be unfolded in different layers that are exceptionally beautiful. It can be a subject or a backdrop for any photograph. Major factors that affect the photos of mountains are weather, terrain, geographic location and their heights. AS A BACKDROP :
First thing to keep in mind while clicking mountains is to keep horizon line straight. Whenever trying to capture any subject while using mountains as a backdrop, one
should set the aperture that can be in range between f/4 to f/20 depending upon the distance from the subject and depth of field required. Aperture at f/4 will create shallow depth of field and f/20 will make mountains appear little sharper in the image. Then the second step is to set ISO and shutter speed. It is better to keep ISO lowest and shutter speed as slowest as possible. To capture moving subjects, faster shutter speed would be required, which will need a higher ISO but it will introduce noise and grains into the picture. So the best setting to capture detailed pictures is to use recommended settings with a tripod.
9
AS A SUBJECT :
Mountains can be a part of landscape photography or abstract photography. It is not necessary to be near to the mountains to capture their beauty. Some natural factors that affect the photo are weather, terrain and height of the mountain. These are some of the factors that are needed to be considered when capturing them. One thing to keep in mind is to use small aperture when capturing landscapes. Using the rule of thirds is very important for a better picture. For this, divide the picture in three parts: sky, background and foreground. This will result in a pleasant mountain scenery. For setting up the camera, start from the aperture. Aperture should be small, ranging from f/7 to f/16. ISO and shutter speed can vary as per the time and light conditions. To capture a wide scenic shot, it is recommended to use 16 mm or wider lenses. If the purpose of shooting is to target a mountain peak, photographers can use zoom lenses. In zoom lenses wide aperture will work but again natural factors like haze or fog should be considered before planning that shot. To enhance the beauty of landscape shots, one can look for a water body near mountains. And if it is a still water body like a pond or a lake, it will be a gem of an opportunity because it can be used as a mirror. The reflection will definitely make the picture more stunning! ISO- 58 Shutter Speed- 1/2625 Aperture- f/1.8 35mm Shot On- Vivo V11 Pro
Colors of mountains depend upon the terrain, time and weather. Earth is covered with wonderful landscapes and mountains add to its beauty. All mountains are different in aspect of weather, environment and ecology, for example, the Himalayas in south east Asia, the Alps in Europe and the Andes in South America etc. Indian subcontinent has many different mountain ranges like the Himalayas, the Aravalli, the Nilgiris etc. All these mountains have different terrains. which are different in habitat and geography. If we take an example of the Himalayan range, it has a variety of mountains in which a terrain changes after every 50km. Himalayan range has mountains of all kinds from lush green to deserted to snowy peaks. Best time to capture mountains is during the golden hour i.e. sunset and sunrise. Although one can capture pictures during any time of the day, variance in colors can be seen at the time of dusk and dawn.
PC- TUSHAR VARSHNEY
10
SEASONS FOR MOUNTAIN PHOTOGRAPHY It is very hard to choose the best season for mountains because different mountain ranges have different surroundings. To get the best light, photographers should consider the weather and climate conditions of surroundings. To capture the clean and beautiful landscapes, one should try to plan their visit to mountains when the sky is full of low clouds because it makes the photograph more dramatic and
interesting. Low clouds give life to still landscapes. Photographers can use different apps and websites to get weather forecasting data to plan their visit. Currently trending apps are Google Earth, Photopills and Sun Surveyor. Mountain ranges can be different depending on age or shape of the cliffs. One can click unique pictures in any direction.
MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING AND YOU MUST GO!! Night skies are very clear in the mountains because mountains have less population and pollution. Cleanliness of climate helps in reducing light pollution when one is stargazing. The rising and setting of the moon is also very scenic as it creates a silhouette effect on mountains at night. One can use different apps to find suitable conditions for stargazing like Light pollution meter, 500 Rule or NPF rule calculator etc. Moonlit snow peaks look very beautiful at night. Long exposure shots can be taken on cameras with manual settings. Pro tip- Try to visit during the off season and timings for a better experience. During odd timings, most tourist places are vacant. Also try to explore new places.
PC- HARSHUL KAMANI
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/30 Aperture- f/3.5 18 mm Shot On- Canon 1200D
CLOUDSCAPE THE SHADES OF SKY -DHAVAN SHAH
The Golden Hour Golden Hour is one of the most beautiful time of the day to capture the strangely stippled sky. Golden hour is the first and last hour of light after dawn and before dusk. The sky is changing shades in a matter of minutes and one cannot help but capture this endless canvas in their camera.
Golden Hour is when the masterpieces are made and that time of the day when all photographers want to go out and play. ISO- 800 Shutter Speed- 1/500 sec. Aperture- f/6.3 250 mm Shot On- Canon EOS 200D II
PC- SHUBHI KAPUR
During the golden hour, the sun is at a low angle which assists in enhancing the beauty of the photograph with natural light. The best thing about photography during the Golden Hour is the dramatic effect it adds to the picture with wonderful tones like ochre, orange, reddish, etc.
It is the best time to capture landscapes, wildlife, portraits, reflections, silhouettes, architecture as well as nature. The sky being the ultimate canvas, simulates a treat for the eyes and a masterpiece for the photograph.
14
PC- MRIGANK RAI
ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/200 sec. Aperture- f/9 48mm Shot On- Nikon D5300
TIPS TO CAPTURE THE BEST PICTURES DURING THE GOLDEN HOUR
PLAY WITH EXPOSURE
The best thing about photography at golden hour is that there is no such thing as right or wrong exposure. This is the best time to be as creative as one wants to be. They have to just switch on manual mode on their camera and experiment through a variety of exposures.
CHECK SURROUNDINGS
EXPLORE
One should be open to explore new places and methods in order to find the best capture as they cannot expect much difference in results when they keep trying in the same way. Experiments should be done with the location, timings and methods in order to click a unique picture.
Sunrise and sunset look better when they are witnessed from an open space where there are less barriers in the shot. Also one should select a place which is not too dusty or hazy as it may distort a perfect picture. Dust and haze decrease the quality, clarity and the focus of the picture.
ADD FOREGROUND
USE OF FILTER
Adding an object like building, mountains, trees etc. increases the depth of the picture by complimenting to the sky. One should look for interesting places where they can add other elements to the picture with sky.
As the sunlight is at a low angle, it acts as a natural filter for the object and hence, one should avoid using a filter while capturing pictures during the golden hour. Applying a filter to the picture may defy a perfect shot and create a ghost image.
15
THE BEAUTY OF NIGHT SKY
Unlike other things, the sky yields a magnificent view after turning dark. In fact, in case of the sky, the darker it gets, the better photographs it helps in capturing. The night sky is endless and capturing it is not only an amazing experience but also a way to deeply connect to the universe. Though nowadays, almost every smartphone is equipped with a night mode camera but the real fun of capturing the night sky is with a camera consisting of manual settings. It really provides an open exposure for the photographer to customize the settings according to ones comfort and convenience. It is advised that night sky photography should be conducted around/on New moon day as moonlight is one of the biggest killer of night sky picture. One should conduct this photography at a time when daylight and manmade illumination is in balance.
Silhouettes Speak -Dhavan Shah
Silhouettes are pictures represented as a dark shape against light which easily catches the attention of the viewer while creating a dramatic as well as a mysterious effect. Despite being mysterious, they not only have a profound ability to communicate visually but also look appealing because of their spectacular colours. All in all, silhouette pictures really give a deeper meaning to the picture and connect with the viewer. The key to taking a silhouette picture would be: choosing a strong subject with a defined and recognizable shape; turning off the flash to have as little light on the front of the subject as possible; getting the right light by having more light shining from the background than the foreground; framing the image so that the brightest light source is behind the subject; and making sure the silhouette shapes are distinct and uncluttered by making subjects recognizable and keeping multiple subjects separate.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed-1/320 sec. Aperture- f/6.6 36 mm Shot On- Canon 1300d
PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
SOME TIPS FOR CLICKING GOOD SILHOUETTE PICTURES
SEEK OPEN SPACE
CAPTURE THE ACTION
Make sure the picture frame isn't cluttered with distracting elements so that the focus remains on the main subject of the picture.
Silhouette pictures become more eyecatching when they are captured in some action rather than just standing still with no movement.
INANIMATE OBJECTS
DISTINCT AND UNCLUTTERED
While people work well in silhouette picture, one can also try capturing an inanimate object. It can provide an abstract effect as well as keep room for some creativity as well.
The best way to present a silhouette picture is to make sure that the object of focus is standing out and uncluttered. Smoothness in presentation of the main object of the picture makes it easy to recognize and eyecatching.
18
PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 500 Shutter Speed- 1/400 Aperture- f/7.1 208 mm Shot On- Canon EOS 1300 D
Colour is one of the most important aspects of photography. Photography is all about light, and the colour is a big part of that. Usually, we don’t take colours in consideration when we photograph birds. We care more about easily getting the shot. However, bird photography is no different than regular photography, so here are some suggestions for using colour theory to take bird photography to the next level. Green & red are complementary colours and they are situated on opposite sides of the colour wheel. This means we notice their contrast especially well, and find it . attractive. Purple and yellow, and blue and orange are also complementary colours that we can look for in our shots. Green and red are especially useful though since it’s very easy to get a green background for birds by shooting them in trees or near other vegetation, and there are numerous common species of birds with some red on them in most parts of the world. Blue and orange are a common colour combination in nature. Orange leaves in the fall are perfect for bluebirds, whereas the blue background of the sky works pretty well for many birds that have some orange colours. Even if they aren’t vibrant orange, such as a more brownish colour make good contrast there.
ISO- 160 Shutter Speed- 1/80 Aperture- f/6.3 300mm Shot On- Nikon D5100
21
A large part of using colour well in bird photography is picking the right background to suit the subject. Birds of different colours will be better on different backgrounds. For example, compare the two photos below: ISO- 320 Shutter Speed- 1/400 Aperture- f/5.6 250mm Shot On- Canon 750D
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/400 Aperture- f/7.1 250mm Shot On- Canon 700D
The first shot is far more attention grabbing, despite the second having more detail and a larger subject. This is because of the colour contrasts goes more strongly with the vibrant green leaves in the background than it does with the tree trunks of second-image.
22
A good way to develop our eye for colour and test our photos is to blur out the details in an image with a gaussian blur. Blur it enough to get rid of all the fine detail in the image, and all we’re left with is colour, so it’s very easy to compare photos and judge which one uses colour better. ISO- 400 Shutter Speed- 1/500 Aperture- f/4 Shot On- Canon 1200D
Now we know what to look for in colour, we can actively seek out good colours in bird photography by adapting photography choices to our subjects and environments. In the winter, we may not have much colour at all. Brown branches and white snow don’t make for very interesting colour combinations, so look for vibrant birds that will really be able to stand out against the severe background. Less colourful birds will work better with more vibrant backgrounds, so perhaps look for them in the spring, summer, and fall instead. Of course, with all that said, we don’t need a great colour scheme to get a great photo. Birds are interesting subjects, and we’ll find pretty much any bird photo interesting. If we want to maximize the impact of our shots and set yurself up for the best possible opportunities though, a little colour theory can go a long way. 23
Bird photography is not easy. Birds are fast and high moving subjects, at the best of times. At other times they might hide away in trees. The closer we get, the higher the chance of the bird disappearing. So how should we go about it?Unfortunately, camera gear is a very important part of wild bird photography. Unless we are standing close and photographing ducks and geese that are not afraid of people, prepare yourself to invest in a solid camera and one or more long telephoto lenses. Maintaining fast shutter speeds, especially for birds in flight and small birds that move very quickly is extremely important – we cannot fix motion blur in postproduction. In some cases, photographers shoot at slightly slower shutter speeds just to get the bird’s wings slightly blurred, to create a feeling of motion. But in all other cases, we want to freeze the action. To achieve this, we typically set our shutter speed to something between 1/1000 and 1/1600. Most digital cameras have the following camera modes: “Manual“, “Shutter Priority“, “Aperture Priority” and “Program“. The camera mode we use the most for our photography, including birding is “Aperture Priority”. Once we are done with practicing, go for a real photoshoot. Some of the best opportunities for bird photography might be very close.
24
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
ISO- 400 Shutter Speed- 1/200 Aperture- f/5.6 300 mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
دﺑﻲ
ytiC maerD TNARBIV A
DUBAI
- Heet Gandhi
PC- HEET GANDHI
Dubai is the most populous & glamorous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Located in the eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula on the coast of the Persian Gulf. The emirate of Dubai shares borders with Abu Dhabi in the south, Sharjah in the northeast, and the Sultanate of Oman in the southeast. Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is today one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.
The city can be broken down into different regions or districts to help get your bearings. At its core lies the center of the city itself, split by a stretch of water known as Dubai Creek. Located on either side of the creek, lies "BUR DUBAI" and "DEIRA". Many of Dubai's attractions and historical monuments are located in Bur Dubai. While the area holds historical value, it is also the main center for Shopping and Hotels. There are innumerable shopping centers and malls in the area where one can find all the variety of items. Deira was historically the commercial center of Dubai. It has managed to hold on to its long history of a trade by the continuous thriving nature of its Souks (Markets). The Gold Souk is one of the most famous and crowded areas.
ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/250 Aperture- f/11 24mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
اﻟﻀﻴﺎﻓﺔ
ﺣﺴﻦ
(Hasan aldiyafa) meaning, Hospitality is an intrinsic part of Bedouin lifestyle that can be traced back to the traditions of life in the desert. The history and culture of Dubai are deeply rooted in Islamic traditions. Dubai's economy majorly relies on revenues from trade, tourism, aviation, real estate, and financial services. Also, Dubai is famously known as the entertainment capital of the Middle East.
PC- HEET GANDHI DUBAI CREEK -MARINA
The Creek is an inlet of the sea which cuts like a knife through the city center and is the perfect place to visit to get a feeling of old Dubai's trading past. Here, one can find hundreds of dhows and yachts coming in and out of the area, for various trading and entertainment purposes.
ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/500 Aperture- f/2 35mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
JUMEIRAH
The area of Jumeirah is now known as one of the most exclusive parts of Dubai. Jumeirah is a relaxed residential strip with sandy beaches like Jumeirah Public Beach, and guided tours at the white-stone Jumeirah Mosque. Shopping options range from small, quirky malls with homegrown fashion stores and indie coffee houses. There are the PALM ISLANDS, the floating vast island, built by man which is one of the most important parts of the district. The area is just known for its luxury and beaches. World's most known and vast hotels like BURJ AL ARAB (7 Stars), ATLANTIS THE PALM (5 stars), etc. are built on the coastal areas which defines the meaning of luxury experience. PC- HEET GANDHI
PC- HEET GANDHI OUTSIDE
THE
CITY
There are places beyond the bounds of civilization; simply, deserts. Desert Safari refers to the riding 4X4 SUVs across the dunes and it is honestly, a thrilling experience on must do while traveling Dubai. There are desert camps, visited through the travelers outside the city. There are drinks, hookahs, snacks, costumes, sofas, camel rides, and much more going around there. People with groups enjoy the dinner with various performances like Belly Dance, Fire Show, and traditional Arabic Dance. SHEIKH
IS0- 800 Shutter Speed- 1/50 Aperture- f/4.5 30mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
ZAYED
'
S
ROAD
It most certainly can be considered an attraction due to its length and access to many of Dubai's famous buildings, restaurants, hotels, and tourist areas. It is home to some of Dubai's most important landmarks. Among these are the Burj Khalifa, the Dubai Fountains, and the Dubai Mall. 28
PC- HEET GANDHI
The Dubai Fountain is a synchronized fountain show with music and light effects, located in between the Dubai Mall and Burj Khalifa. It is made of almost 6600 lights and 50 colored projectors, making it one of the most attractive built fountains. It is one of the most delightful experience to just sit and watch the show, a must watch one if you're visiting Dubai.
The Dubai Mall is the largest mall in the world by total land area. It is almost the size of 50 football fields‌ CAUTION: Travelling there may need much amount of energy and time! Along with the retail sections, there is an innumerable number of brand showrooms, a Huge Aquarium, an Underwater Zoo, a Cinema (22 screens), a VR Park, Dino Museum, Amusement parks, a 250-room Luxury Hotel, along with thousands of cafes and restaurants. ISO- 400 Shutter Speed- 1/50 Aperture- f/4 18mm Shot On- CANON 1300D
The Burj Khalifa is a sky-scrapper, located near the Dubai Mall with a total height of 829.8 m (2,722 ft). It is currently the tallest building in the world, though the Jeddah Tower (1008 m) and the Dubai Creek Tower (1345 m) are currently under construction. The Tower is a multifunctional building, which includes Armani Hotel, Residencies, Lobbies, Bars, Cafes, Corporate Suites, Restaurants, Functional spaces, and AT THE TOP observatory. Being a tourist attraction, the AT THE SKY Observatory is open for tourist visits. One could simply book or buy a ticket. The observatories are situated in the 124th, 125th, and 148th levels out of the total 163 floors. The lift literally operates at a speed of 2-3 floors per second! ISO- 3200 Shutter Speed- 1/25 Aperture- f/3.6 20mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
PC- HEET GANDHI
TO DO (MUST) IN DUBAI WHILE TRAVELING
30
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/125 Aperture- f/6.3 300mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
Blooming Blossoms The Laughter of the Earth - SHIVANI CHATURVEDI
Flowers are one of the many beautiful and colourful things created by nature. One can find flowers of different shapes, sizes, colours and fragrances. Often depicted as a symbol of love and happiness, they are a pleasure to the eyes. A flower’s colour is one of many factors that makes nature so beautiful. Each colour gives meaning to the flower and the feelings they indicate. Let’s have a look at some of these meanings.
32
RED Red flowers are a joy to watch. These flowers are mostly associated with the feeling of endearment and passion. Since ages, people have been trusting red flowers with their feelings and emotions. Commonly used to celebrate love, these flowers are the messengers of warmth . They are also given as a gesture of respect and courage, usually while paying tributes to martyrs. Red is probably the most common colour of flowers found in our immediate environment. Red Hibiscus and Roses are few of the flowers we see around ourselves. The Reds of Geraniums, Roses, Tulips and Poppies are people’s all-time favourite species.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/15 sec Aperture- f/5.6 250mm Shot On- Canon 1200D
PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
YELLOW Yellow flowers bring positive vibes with themselves. They are known to represent charm and attractiveness. They spread happiness and joy wherever they are. They are also perfect flowers to symbolize friendship. With their brightness and cheerfulness, they also help people to lift their moods and get well soon. Nowadays, yellow flowers are seen as bearers of good news, well wishes, and happiness. They are also an easy way to color coordinate for your garden, containers, and landscapes. Some popular Yellows are Sunflower, Daisies, Tulips, Roses and Lilies.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/250 sec Aperture- f/9 5mm Shot On- Canon IXUS 160
PC- HEET GANDHI
33
WHITE Peace and serenity are symbolic of a white coloured flower. They are also associated with the feelings of purity, innocence and sympathy. White flowers have a neutral tone that accents any color. They can be used to round out other brighter, more eccentric florals, adding texture and depth. They traditionally are used in memorial services and religious activities. White flowers are also known to have beautiful fragrances as well. Therefore, they are also used for decoration purposes sometimes. Some beautiful Whites are Orchids, Daisies, Roses and Carnations.
ISO- 640 Shutter Speed- 1/60 sec Aperture- f/3.2 5mm Shot On- Canon IXUS 160
PC- HEET GANDHI
PINK Pink flowers are a symbol of gentleness and femininity. These flowers signify playfulness, innocence, and sensitivity. Similar to Red flowers, Pink flowers have also grown to show the feeling of love but in a different feel. They are a popular gift on Birthdays, Anniversaries and Mother’s Day. They also indicate the feeling of happiness and used in decoration on various occasions. From light and sweet to bright and bold, these pink blooms will warm people's hearts every time. The much-loved Pinks are Roses, Lilies, Carnations and Azaleas.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/1044 sec Aperture- f/1.7 4mm Shot On- One Plus
PC- SWETA LODHA
34
Capturing Techniques As much as colourful flowers make people happy, capturing them is also a joy in itself. One can build upon the automatic emotional associations most people have for specific colours and use them for their photographic advantage. All one needs to do is step into the garden or go to a public park to find beautiful flowers to photograph. However, it takes a little something extra to produce beautiful flower portraits. Here are some essential things to remember while capturing flowers.
Lenses The lens one should have to photograph flowers must capture adequate levels of detail. The macro lens is preferred while shooting flowers, it is not necessary to use it for taking the best shot. A lens of 50 mm focal length is ideal for good flower pictures. Cameras with zooms can also be convenient in flower photography as they provide a lot of freedom for the image frame. One can zoom out and capture more than the flower, or zoom in and capture only the flower
Aperture The most obvious choice for flower photography is wide open aperture. It gives excellent photos. But one should take care as wide apertures have a relatively narrow depth of field as the focus is only on the front of the flower. Reducing the aperture by one or two may give better results. By using f/1.4 or f/1.8, one gets plenty of detail and much more part of the flower in focus. One can always adjust the settings according to the instinct on what will work with the chosen lens.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/15 sec Aperture- f/5.6 250mm Shot On- Canon 1200D
PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
35
Shutter Speed Fast shutter speeds are great for capturing details. A shutter speed of 1/250 will give the necessary details. A good range is 1/200-1/800. Any shutter speed in this range will give useful details. Some other things will affect the selection of shutter speed too like the brightness of the picture, the highlights, the background, etc. All of these things play an essential role in how the final image will look like and help to determine the shutter speed. One can always experiment to get the best effects.
Composition Composition is the final view of the picture that one photographs. There should not be any extra things in the frame of the photo. The light on the flower should be ideal. When the sun is bright, it may ruin the image altogether. Another thing to be kept in mind is the background of the flower. One may not always find a good location. An ugly wall, fence, sidewalk or flower pot rim can ruin a beautiful flower photo. Zooming in helps a lot in these situations. ISO- 4000 Shutter Speed- 1/250 sec Aperture- f/2.5 50mm Shot On- Canon 60D
Creativity The extra little thing one requires is the creativity of the photographer. A creative mind makes the difference between a “photo of the flower” and a “portrait of a flower”. With it, one captures the spirit of the flower. The intent and the different perspective which the photographer gives to the shot takes it to another level. It is what creates a ‘perfect shot’.
ISO- 250 Shutter Speed- 1/320 sec Aperture- f/5.6 250mm Shot On- Canon 750D
PC- HEET GANDHI
PC- PRATIK MALVIYA
The best thing about capturing flowers is that half of the job is already done at the beginning itself since colourful flowers are always beautiful and exciting subjects. The next step is to get some creativity and photography skills to work and create a remarkable portrait of a flower.
36
PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 2000 Shutter Speed- 1/40 Aperture- f/10 23 mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
-VAGESHWARI SHEKHAWAT
LOCATION- JAL MAHAL
JAIPUR THE PINK CITY ISO: 3200 Shutter Speed: 1/80 Aperture: f/5 116mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
Most vibrant city of the state globally known as The PINK CITY JAIPUR, the capital of Rajasthan is an intoxicating mix of old and new, with wide streets are a colorfully eye soothing place to witness. Every building within the walled historic center is painted a terracotta “pink” color. The terracotta “pink” color was chosen as it represents welcoming and hospitality. In famous Hawa Mahal or the palace of winds is located in the old city where the colors are more dominant, especially in the palace that is made of pink sandstone. ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/125 Aperture- f/7.1 23mm Shot On- Canon 1300D LOCATION- HAWA MAHAL
PC- HEET GANDHI
The streets which can be seen showing the pink color in particular is the Bapu Bazzar, one of the most popular local markets in Jaipur. A slight darker shade of pink can be witnessed by the City Palace, a marvel of Mughal and Rajput architecture. For another sand colored stone, The Jal Mahal or Lake palace in the middle of Man Sagar Lake is the best example. The Albert Hall Museum. The Jaigarh Fort, The Digambar Jain Temple, are ancient structure that add to the pink palette of the city. PC- HEET GANDHI
PC- HEET GANDHI
Shot On- One Plus 5T LOCATION- CITY PALACE
UDAIPUR THE WHITE CITY Udaipur is known as The WHITE CITY of India, because of the candid Rajput- style palaces standing all around the lake and also because of the scenic white marble palace in the middle of the state. Besides this the city is also known as the ‘Venice of the East’ and the ‘City of Lakes’. The White Color is also complimented with the architectural design which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal design with the marbles and mirror work throughout the palaces and Havel and the city itself.
CITY OF LAKES ISO- 113 Shutter Speed- 1/2500 Shot On- Lenovo K8 Note LOCATION- LAKE PICHOLA
PC- HEET GANDHI
40
Situated in the heart of the Thar Desert, The GOLDEN CITY of India because of the yellow sand and the yellow sandstone used in every architecture of the city gives a yellowish-golden tinge to the city and its surrounding area. At the time of sunset and sunrise, when sun rays bounce off the golden sands or seep through them, an unfathomably bright spectacle daubs the skies.
The amber-yellow hues that then spread in a space of changing lights, radiate over the city of Jaisalmer though this isn’t the only reason why it is called the Golden City, The Jaisalmer Fort, also called Sonar Qila or Golden Fort along with this the houses and property near the Fort are also build with the yellow sand stone which lends the city to its title.
JAISALMER THE GOLDEN CITY
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/200 Aperture- f/8 Shot On- Nikon D5300 LOCATION- MEHRANGARH FORT
JODHPUR THE BLUE CITY The BLUE CITY as Jodhpur is called, is like a reflection of the sky. To understand why the Jodhpur City is called blue you need to wander away from the market places and new town, and head straight into the older quarters of Jodhpur, the old town is a wonderful example of vivid colors providing a photogenic backdrop to everyday life as near the Mehrangarh Fort most houses in the old town are blue-colored and some people say that the color is associated with the Brahmans. Standing atop the Mehrangarh Fort and gazing at the blue-patterned houses is a delight for the eyes and a great photo opportunity. PC- MRIGANK RAI
PC- MRIGANK RAI
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/15 Aperture- f/5.6 20 mm Shot On- Nikon D5300 LOCATION- MEHRANGARH FORT
ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/100 Aperture- f/5.6 250 mm Shot On- Canon EOS 200D II
PC- SHUBHI KAPUR
Noir
Blanc
by Ritika Jaggi
Era of Black & White For us, Indians, black and white has had a connection since the era of Madhubala, Kishore Kumar, and many others, an era which has reprised as a trend. Black and white photography, on the other hand, has been alive from the time of its introduction. People often confuse black and white photography with monochrome photography. But the truth is that black and white photography is a subset of or a type of monochrome photography. The term ‘Monochrome’ comes from ancient Greek words “mono” and “chromo” meaning having a single color.
PC- HEET GANDHI
PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 800 Shutter Speed- 1/60 Aperture- f/5.6 55mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
PC- HEET GANDHI
45
SHADOWS
PC- HEET GANDHI
Shadows are not just the darker regions of a photograph but a major element that has an outsized impact on it.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/80 Aperture- f/4 23mm Shot On- Canon EOS 1300D
It is not compulsory to have pure regions of black color in black and white photography since the play of shadows has a strong pull towards black, it might offer a better composition.
PC- HEET GANDHI
TONES Tones in a photograph refers to the underlying brightness, darkness, and shades of grey that appear in the photograph. The low-key images offer a good amount of brightness than the contrast and are contradictory to it, the high key tones offer more contrast making it appear dark.
ISO- 50 Shutter Speed- 1/1250 Aperture- f/2.2 3.81mm Shot On- Honor Play COR-AL00
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
CONTRAST Similarly, the gradient scale of contrast in pictures can differ vastly based on the kind of focus object we have and the different shades we can capture. ISO- 220 Shutter Speed- 1/500 Aperture- f/5.6 280 mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
46
TEXTURES
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/125 Aperture- f/5.6 300 mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
Textures in the frame have the potential to affect the emotions in a photograph. Repetitive smooth textures offer harmony and balance to the picture that makes it appear satisfactory to the viewer. On the other hand, harsh textures in a photograph offer a crisp, intense, and detailed appearance to the subject.
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
EMOTIONS The most often used motive can be said to be emotions like nostalgia, memories, and the beauty of the moment. motive can be very potent, to capture poignant and beautiful memories in time, which makes them everlasting. ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/500 Aperture- f/5.6 300 mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
PC- TUSHAR VARSHNEY
COMPOSITION
ISO- 176 Shutter Speed- 1/50 Aperture- f/1.8 3.95mm Shot On- Vivo 11 PRO
Color sometimes is not needed in the picture as even being multicolored, the photo can be a diluted version of its black and white version. Photographers generally like to keep the picture simple and focus on its essence rather than clutter it with more objects or colors.
47
SLAITNESSE YHPARGOTOHP EHT
PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
The Rule of Space states the direction in which the main element/subject is facing or moving . It is simply the act of adding ample visual space in the front of the direction in which the subject/element is facing or moving . By doing this the viewer gets the idea about the direction of the main subject. ISO - 200 Shutter Speed- 1/500 Aperture- f/10 Shot On- Canon 1200D
PC- HEET GANDHI
The Rule of Space states the direction in which the main element/subject is facing or moving . It is simply the act of adding ample visual space in the front of the direction in which the subject/element is facing or moving . By ding this the viewer gets the idea about the direction of the main subject .
PC- HEET GANDHI
VISIT NORTH
ISO- 400 Shutter Speed- 1/30 Aperture-f/3.6 18mm Shot On- Canon 1300 D
Lines that appears in the picture which have been positioned by the photographer to seek the viewer’s vision towards a specific point of interest is known as Leading Lines . The lines often point so far inward that they reach a point two or more lines converge at theoretical infinity . ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/250 Aperture- f/6.64 20mm Shot On- Canon 1300 D
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
Focusing is the moving of the lens elements until the sharpest possible image is achieved.. If the photographer does not focus appropriately , he/she will end up capturing blurry pictures even when all other camera settings are perfect . With the help of pre-installed feature of Autofocus in camera the rookie can take good features though it is not that effective . PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 640 Shutter Speed- 1/320 Aperture- f/5.6 250mm Shot On- Canon 750D PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/800 Aperture- f/5.6 300 mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
The main subject in the photograph is the positive space and the area which surround the subject is the negative space . Leaving the appropriate amount of “negative space� around the subject is highly advisable as it is very attractive . Apt negative space creates a sense of simplicity and minimalism . It helps the viewer to focus on the main subject without any distractions . ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/320 Aperture- f/11 18mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
The Rule of Odds states that a picture is more visually appealing if there are an odd number of subjects in it . The theory suggests that the presence of even number of subject make the scene distracting for viewer as he/she is not sure which subject to focus on . An odd number of elements seems more natural and easier for the eyes .
50
PC- HEET GANDHI
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/250 Aperture- f/3.6 36 mm Shot On- Canon 1300D
- AMAN PANJWANI
Portrait Photography has been one of the most popular genres of photography classifying the pictures that are produced with an aim to portray the subject naturally in the frame. The composition of the frame, lights and emotion of the subject determines the photographer’s vision to produce a photograph. The picture delivers a very sharp effect to highlight the subject and make it look extraordinarily crisp. Portraiture can further be classified into various genres such as: candid, illustrative, documentary, wedding and many more that just suits the style of the photographer to be able to exercise the level of control over the subject and its composition. Here is a guide to optimize results in portrait photography:
PC- KRITIKA MAHESHWARI
1. Get Closer: Closer shots of the subject aim to offer very sharp details and highlights. The prime focus on the subject enhances the appeal of the expressions of the subject to the viewer. ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/100 Aperture- f/1.8 50 mm Shot On- Canon 800D
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
2. Candids being unobtrusive: Candids tend to offer the natural and raw expressions of the subject in a photograph that makes the picture look exceptionally highlighted and realistic. To capture the most real out of the subject, the photographers need to make sure the expressions are raw and might get a shot from some distance to capture it real. ISO- 200 Shutter Speed- 1/500 Aperture- f/5.6 300mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
PC- AMAN PANJWANI
3. Balanced lighting:
ISO- 3200 Shutter Speed- 1/25 Aperture- f/4.8 105mm Shot On- Nikon D3200
Lighting in any portrait photograph plays an important role in highlighting the subject details. The play of lights and shadows, golden hour shots, studio lighting adds up to the detailing of the subject that brings out the extraordinary of the subject.
53
PC- PURAV ACHARYA
ISO- 400 Shutter Speed- 1/250 Aperture- f/1.8 50mm Shot On- Canon 750D
4. Engaging your subjects: The photographer should interact and anticipate the behavior of the subject to engage in such a manner that there is a zone of comfort established. Avoiding any kind of interactions that might disrupt the mood of the subject should be taken care of. The subject should be made well aware about the photographer's perspective and should be able to develop the mood accordingly to give a stand out look to the photograph.
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/4000 Aperture- f/1.8 50mm Shot On- Canon 1200D
PC- HEET GANDHI
5. Framing: One of the most considerable element of portrait photography, framing is really essential to define the subject as well as the perspective of the photographer which makes any picture stand out as extraordinary than the rest. A portrait picture appears even better when the rules of framing are considered well before hand. The rule of thirds can be well understood with this photograph.
For a Portrait Photographer, every portrait tells a different story and to be able to exercise good control, it becomes utmost important to consider the conditions of the shoot well before hand. In addition, keeping track of the camera equipments and the lights is a must.
54
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/200 Aperture- f/1.8 50 mm Shot On- Nikon D5300
PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
TELEFON FOTOGRAFIE - AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
Before the days of smartphones, taking photos was a timeconsuming and labor-intensive process. But, thanks to smartphones and editing apps, one can now take high-quality photos and edit them without too many hustles. Your phone is like your best man because it's always with you wherever you go. Indeed, phone photographers are much more prolific than average amateur "big camera" enthusiasts. They have their photographic brains switched on all the time, looking for opportunities. For many photography enthusiasts phone photography is an initial stage. One can improve and experiment with fewer investments and become better. Most phone cameras are dull and not everyone can afford or like iPhones, but they can always use editing apps and show their creativity and turn them into something amazing and that's what matters.
here are some tips that apply to photography in general and phone cameras to help on your journey to better phonE photography. 1. Clean phone camera for crystal clear pictures
On an everyday basis, people touch their phones a lot, and as a result camera's lenses can get dirty with dirt and fingerprints. If the phone's camera is dirty then the pictures clicked will be blur and not clear. This will make a huge difference to the clarity of the photos.
ISO-200 Shutter Speed-1/60 Aperture- f/7.1 Shot On- iPhone XR
2. Stability equals better pictures
In phone cameras, light is very limited thus keeping it stable is important. When ones shooting in a standing position keep few things in mind like- hold the phone with both hands and tuck elbows into the body. If not shooting in a standing position then brace the phone against something stationary like a wall, fence, counter, or something steady and fixed. Use a phone tripod for more stable pictures.
3. Manually setting exposure and focus Even when the lens is perfectly clean the subject doesn't look sharp. For changing the focus manually from one subject to another just tap on the phone screen and choose your focus point. For changing the exposure just tap on the screen and when the sunlight symbol appears, use a finger to swipe up or down to adjust or reduce the exposure suitably.
4. Avoid zooming in
While taking photos from a distance, theres an urge to zoom in on the subject. But it's better not to zoom in as it will appear to be a grainy, blur, or pixelated. Go closer and shoot or crop.
5. Shoot HDR (High Dynamic Range)
A high contrast scene has both dark and bright areas like a landscape with a bright sky and dark foreground. While choosing to shoot on HDR setting the phone takes series of photos then combine them to create the final image. PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
6. Activate Burst Mode
This feature is in iPhone 11 cameras, one can activate burst mode by sliding the shutter button to the left. The camera will keep taking photos in quick succession until the finger is released. In iPhone XS or older than just hold down the shutter button to activate burst mode. Burst mode is perfect for street photography, shooting animals, and capturing moving people.
ISO-200 Shutter speed-1/60 Aperture- f/7.1 Shot On- iPhone XR
7. Don't use the flashlight
No matter how powerful the phone camera and its processing capability, the on-camera flash does not yield flattering results. When shooting in daylight or sunlight, there is no reason to use flash. Instead, use another phone's flashlight or LED to lighten the subject.
8. Use gridlines to balance your picture
One of the best and easiest ways to improve phone photography is to use the grid settings on your phones. It is based on the "Rule of thirds" – a photographic composition principle that says an image should be broken down into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, so you have nine parts in total. For iPhone Users- Go to "settings", choose "Photos & Camera" and switch "Grid" on. For Samsung Users- Launch the camera app, go to "settings", scroll down and switch the "gridlines" option to "on".
9. Photograph in natural light
Natural light is outdoor light, no matter what the time, natural light has a very distinct quality. Take advantage of the natural light sources that one can find, even after dark, which gives the chance to play with shadows.
10. Don't be afraid to edit
Last but not least. Taking pictures with proper composition is just the first step, editing them is the next and very important step. Almost all smartphones have inbuilt editing software but it isn't very effective. Out of all Lightroom Mobile is one of the best and easiest editing app for beginners. There is a free version of Lightroom Mobile that has a large amount of functionality included. PC- AAYUSHI KALAVADIA
58
BONUS TIPS Tripod is one of the essential accessories for phone photography. It helps to stabilize the shot and reduce the risks of blurry pictures. When phone does not have a wide lens feature, then one can always get an additional lens. There are a variety of lenses from wide to fisheye to macro. LED panels are good for Vlogging or using as off-camera lighting for people. If one wants to buy lights then they should consider purchasing a light with adjustable color temperature.
59
PC- PURAV ACHARYA
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/1600 Aperture- f/3.5 18mm Shot On- Canon 750D
PC- PURAV ACHARYA
ISO- 100 Shutter Speed- 1/125 Apenture- f/5.6 29 mm Shot On- Canon 750D
Explore Create Inspire Conceptualised, Designed and developed by Pratikriti, IMNU https://www.facebook.com/pratikriti.imnu
https://instagram.com/pratikriti_360