Special Feature - Do it in Camera In this issue’s special feature we look at tricks and techniques to create your images in camera and not rely upon the computer to do all of the work.
Creative In-Camera Photography With Destina Munro LPSNZ
PHOTOSHOP AND LIGHTROOM have added considerable diversity to the art and creativity of photography. This is a wonderful thing and so much fun (if you have the tools and time). Exploring creativity in-camera can also help develop your technical ability and extend your personal creativity. I would like to share a few tips for building creativity in-camera. This is using aperture, shutter speed, ISO, over and underexposing, and most importantly, finding the image. The examples I show have all been created in-camera. There is always a bit of basic darkroom editing done in Lightroom, such as adjusting the contrast, highlights, shadows, white, blacks, and perhaps a bit of saturation to enhance the colours. This takes all of a few minutes. It probably takes longer to go through and discover which of your images conveys the right message! So here’s to experimenting, embracing your mistakes, having fun, and exploring a bit of photographic art — outside the strict guidelines of creating a perfect image.
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Find inspiration As a photographer you are most likely to look to an inspirational photographer, or two or three, but I suggest you look at artists as well. They still use theories of design, composition, colour and mood — which photographers use. Two of my inspirations are Uta Barth, who explores subject-less photography with an emphasis on light and shade; and New Zealand painter John Drawbridge, who expressed his art through abstract and colour, and the use of visual metaphors such as framing and concepts of memories. You still need to explore and develop your own style — but a few coffee table books from the library to gaze over from time to time will keep the creative thoughts flowing. Let’s look at a few examples and exercises to try.
