Outdoor Photography Shoot stunning landscapes and much more
EIGHTH EDITION
Digital Edition
Essential techniques for capturing nature, wildlife, travel and action shots
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography
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contents
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5 pro tips for sharper shots
Landscapes Exciting new ways to shoot beautiful landscapes..................18 Frame of mind................................................................................30 The secrets of great landscapes................................................38 Capturing the moment................................................................50 Landscape photography shootout...........................................52 Refine the frame............................................................................58 Coastal photography shootout..................................................66 Employ a polariser.........................................................................72 Add some mood lighting............................................................. 74 Create your own fog......................................................................76
Jarrod Castaing
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The secrets of great landscapes
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography contents Wildlife & Nature 10 essential wildlife techniques..................................................80 Into the wild.................................................................................... 90 Wildlife photography shootout...................................................96 Take the long view........................................................................102 Zoo photography shootout.......................................................104 Garden photography...................................................................110 Garden photography shootout.................................................116 Ring flowers with light.................................................................122 Take a woodland portrait...........................................................124
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Garden
photography shootout Travel & Action
Richard Peters
26 ways to shoot sports and action........................................128 Action cameras............................................................................ 142 Shoot the streets.........................................................................144 Urban photography shootout..................................................152 London by moonlight.................................................................158 Minimise noise.............................................................................162 An interview with David Clapp..................................................164 Travel photography shootout................................................... 172 Broaden tonal range...................................................................180 Chasing the aurora......................................................................182 Relax, shoot, unwind...................................................................186 Travel tripods................................................................................188 Travel bags....................................................................................190
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES
Exciting new ways to shoot
Beautiful landscapes
Bored of the same old landscape styles? Follow this in-depth guide to using new techniques in classic locations to get shots that really stand out from the crowd
rom shooting at sunrise or sunset, to employing the rule of thirds, there are lots of unwritten rules about what makes a good landscape photo. There’s nothing wrong with following traditional rules, but it’s easy to get stuck in a rut, producing the same style over again – a single boulder in the foreground and blurry water in front of a sunset, for example. So we’ve come up with a range of techniques that you can use to
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breathe new life into your landscapes. The following pages are packed with fresh advice on getting original shots in classic landscape locations, from lowlands and woodlands to mountains and beaches, but many of the techniques will be useful wherever you choose to shoot. Don’t be afraid to try something new – you never know, you might even come up with your own twist on the techniques revealed here and go on to transform your shots.
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography The secrets of great landscapes
The secrets of great landscapes Discover 21 techniques you need to know to become a better landscape photographer he wind in your hair, a camera slung over your shoulder and a great location in mind: nothing beats getting out into the great outdoors to shoot landscapes. With the right conditions to hand, a successful outdoors shoot can be an exhilarating experience. But when time is of the essence, you need to learn how to work quickly and methodically to guarantee great shots on every outing. It doesn’t matter where you live: you’re rarely ever far from a great location or two. And even if you have to travel, it’s all part of the adventure. Whether you’re shooting at home
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or abroad, the internet has made location research easier than ever, and the planet certainly feels like a smaller place, with even far-flung destinations feeling within reach. The great thing about landscape technique is that it doesn’t matter where or when you’re shooting: all of the tricks and techniques are the same. Perfect your technique and you’ll be ready to take on the world and enjoy the landscape more than ever before. When David Hockney said, “Enjoyment of the landscape is a thrill,” he hit the nail on the head. By the time you’ve digested these tips, the only thing you’ll have to worry about is the weather.
Jarrod Castaing
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography The secrets of great landscapes
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography Capturing the moment
Madeira Sunrise Nikon D810, 20mm f1.8, 1/100 sec, f16, ISO100
Capturing the moment Mikael Svensson doesn’t just seek the right location, but the right moment in time for his stunning landscape photos y photographic journey began during my years working in a hotel in Grövelsjön, Dalarna, which is a mountainous area in southern Sweden. There I felt inspired often by the fleeting moments in nature’s ever-changing landscapes and light. I wanted to capture these moments whenever I had free time outdoors, trekking or skiing. I started my photography business part-time in 1999, and five years later I’m doing it for a living. Working fulltime has its ups and downs. It’s maybe not the best way to get rich, but it’s more a lifestyle for me, and I get to do
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Mission: To capture a moment in nature’s ever-changing landscape
Photographer: Mikael Svensson Age: 45 Location: Mölndal, Sweden Kit: Nikon D810, Nikon D800E, Nikon D750, Nikon 16-35mm, Nikon 20mm, Nikon 24-70mm, Nikon 28-300mm, Nikon 80-400mm, Nisi filters
what I love most. Since starting out I’ve taken images for seven books, and am always working on various new book projects. In 2004 I moved back to my home town of Mölndal, and I’m now close to both the ocean and the forest, so I don’t need to travel too far to find the photographic motivation that I seek. The challenge is capturing the perfect light, which exists in only a fleeting moment. To me, photography is not only about being in the right location, it’s also about capturing the right moment. When I started out I shot on a Nikon film camera. When the first D-SLRs hit
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography Capturing the moment
Mikael’s top tips • Use a wide-angle zoom to make recomposing images easier, especially if you’re on craggy cliffs or uneven ground • Neutral density filters help to smooth out unwanted details in water or clouds • You’ll know your local area better than anywhere else, so take advantage of the light when it’s right
Clifftop Cabin Nikon D800E, 16-35mm f4, 30 secs, f8, ISO100
Lakeside Retreat Nikon D810, 16-35mm f4, 63 secs, f8, ISO64
the market I used a third-party body, so that I could still use all of my Nikon lenses. Since than I have been a Nikon shooter, and I have used many bodies, from the Nikon D200 to my lovely D810. The quality and performance of the D810 is outstanding.
Seeing stars
When I want to create ‘sunstars’ in an image, I use my Nikon 20mm f1.8 wide-angle lens. On this wonderful morning at Pico do Arieiro [1] (the Portuguese island of Madeira’s thirdhighest peak), the sun peered above the clouds and all I could think was: ‘sunstars’! I set up my D810 and 20mm lens on a tripod, put the selftimer on 20 secs and began the ‘selfie’ exercise: I ran to the clifftop, struck the pose you see in the image, and then turned and ran back quickly, all the while hoping that a sudden gust of wind wouldn’t blow the tripod over and destroy my precious D810! Gothenburg, Sweden, is a place that I’ve visited many times. Trying not
to shoot the same thing time and time again, but to find a new perspective like this [2] is not easy, but with the changing light it never stays the same. For this shot I used a six-stop neutral density filter to enable me to set a longer exposure, which meant I was able to smooth out the movement in both the water and the clouds. My final exposure time was 63 secs at an aperture of f8. Finally, this little cabin on a cliff overlooking the sea in Bohuslän, Sweden [3], is a popular subject to shoot, and the granite cliffs of Bohuslän’s coastline make it a real mecca for landscape shooters. The cliffs have a wonderful texture, and you can find lots of angles to shoot from. I could wander around for a whole day just looking for formations in the coastline. I found a spot where the cabin provided some scale to the image. Three sections of cliff and lines in the granite led the eye up towards it. I set my shutter speed to 30 secs to make the water and sky more dreamlike.
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx refine the frame
Minimalistic captures are often more striking and memorable than more complex shots
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx refine the frame
Refine the frame andscape photography is a popular and accessible genre, but it can often be difficult to create a unique and striking image that will stand out from the rest. With a desire to capture wide expanses of land and rolling vistas, photographers employ the power of their wide-angle lens to capture as much information from the landscape as they can. However, it is this mission to retain as many details and elements of the landscape as possible that will ultimately be the stumbling block of many. Instead, consider stripping your images back,
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take a measured approach to composition and refine your captures in order to create more minimal and refined imagery. Simplicity in landscape photography is often more striking and impactful than a jam-packed vista. Over the next few pages, you’ll discover why you should consider your angle of view, how to draw the viewer in and how to strip your composition down to its bare essentials, as well as maintaining balance and harmonising colour. From shooting a long exposure to simplify your compositions through to changing the aspect ratio can refine the frame.
Dave MacVicar
Discover how to simplify your photos in order to shoot successful and striking landscapes
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography Into the wild
Into the wild
Award-winning photographer Alejandro Prieto discusses how he got into wildlife photography and what he believes makes a great shot
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography into the wild
Red fox
“A curious red fox photographed at Katmai National Park, Alaska” All images © Alejandro Prieto
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography beginner’s guide to garden photography
Don’t be afraid to lie down on the floor to get a more dynamic perspective of flower borders in your garden
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography garden photography
Garden photography Try out our fantastic outdoor projects in your garden at home he natural world is full of fascinating and beautiful things to photograph, and some of them can be found right on your doorstep. Your own back garden is likely to be home to colourful flowers, intriguing insects, spectacular wildlife and other wonders of Mother Nature. Get out there with your camera and see what you can find, then follow our tips for taking great shots. Don’t worry if you don’t have a back garden, as you can visit your local public gardens for fantastic photo opportunities too. It’s not just nature that you can shoot in the garden. You can also take the hands-on approach and create your own still-life shots featuring man-made objects against a garden backdrop.
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Try shooting a wider scene alongside your close-ups. Include foreground interest, such as a row of flowers, a bench or a garden gate for stronger shots
Why not dig out your wellies and wheelbarrow and experiment with different compositions? A great thing about outdoor photography is that you get to make the most of natural light. Shooting at different times of day and in different weather conditions will completely transform your photos, so venture out more than once to see what you can get. Although most gardens will be in full bloom in the warmer months of the year, this does not mean that you should neglect garden photography during the other seasons. Certain species of wildlife and flowers will flourish at different times of the year, so it is worth doing your research so that you know what to look for and when.
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx action man
Action Man Photographer and Panasonic ambassador Steven Clarey discusses his passion for extreme sports and action photography as well as his experience with the GH5
Clarey channels his passion and enthusiasm for extreme sports into his photography
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography
ction photography is a tough genre to master. It demands fast and reliable kit, as well as a skilled and knowledgeable photographer to operate it – but it is also probably one of the most satisfying genres. A good action shot will show off the photographer’s skill – and the demanding nature of the genre makes the reward of a perfectly timed shot all the better. Professional action photographer Steven Clarey has a portfolio full of impressive and dynamic captures. During his career so far he has worked with the likes of IMG Worldwide,
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Monster Energy, Ford Performance, Artifex Media, Panasonic Europe, Peugeot Sport and many more. He wasn’t always on course for a career in image making, though. “I was a late starter when it came to photography and film,” he says. “When I was younger I always admired a good image, but never actually captured anything myself: I was fully focused on rollerblading and bodyboarding. I’m not really the sort of person to look back and regret things in life, but I kind of wish I had started a little bit younger. I experienced lots of cool things as a youth that would have been amazing to shoot.
All images Steven Clargy
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography London by moonlight
London by moonlight
Teach yourself Outdoor Photography London by moonlight
Gi Lewis explores London’s River Thames after dark to show another side to the city’s landmarks hen I was younger I was in a band, gigging around London. I wanted to get signed and become successful, and it almost happened when I had a track played on London’s Kiss FM, but sadly it wasn’t meant to be. My late father had always wanted me to get into photography as he was a film photographer, so after my musical journey ended, the photography quickly took over. When I decided to upgrade to a D-SLR from my compact Nikon Coolpix 995, I held both a Nikon D70 and a Canon EOS 300D to compare them, and the Nikon just felt better in my hand. Most reviews slightly pointed towards the Nikon, too, so that’s what I chose, and I have stuck with Nikon ever since. I absolutely think that kit choice is important. As a Londoner, I love how the city looks at night. I took these images over several nights to capture its beautiful transformation from day to night. I was photographing at around midnight in Canary Wharf’s South Dock one night when I spotted that the moon seemed to be almost directly over the O2 arena, so I quickly packed up and rushed to the riverside. Once I’d found a spot where I could see the O2, I noticed that there was no wind, so the river looked like a mirror. The O2’s lights were still on so I photographed it for an hour until they turned the roof lights off at 1am. Strangely, I now wish that the moon wasn’t there, as I feel it ruins the photo, but it’s still my personal favourite shot to date. Another night, in August, Red Bull was holding the X-Fighters freestyle motocross event in Battersea Power Station so I thought I’d try my luck and ventured down to the riverside opposite the power station to see what I could capture. At first it just seemed like any other night I had been there – that was until a single search light started moving back and forth from behind the building. This one beam of light gave the impression of a huge amount of light coming from the interior.
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Left O2 at Midnight Nikon D300, 18-70mm f3.5-4.5, 13 secs, f11, ISO200
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx written with light
Warm artificial light contrasts with cool natural colours in this iconic view of Venice
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Teach yourself Outdoor Photography xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx written with light
Written with Light From magical Paris to the glitz of Los Angeles, Serge Ramelli discusses his inspirational photographic journey and ambitious future plans erge Ramelli is a photographer with multiple strings to his creative bow. While his photographic portfolio alone demonstrates his skill as a stills photographer, his artistic repertoire extends far beyond this visual medium. Before he’d ever picked up a camera, Serge channelled his ambition to become an actor into developing his talent as a film-maker and producer. The quality and popularity of his signature cityscapes, landscapes and architecture images seem even more remarkable when you consider that he is entirely self-taught, and only started experimenting with digital photography in around the mid-2000s.
All images Serge Ramelli
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