While studio photo shoots do allow photographers to be in better control of the setting, many of them still prefer to shoot outdoors. After all, outdoor shoots have the benefit of natural light, which can be advantageous in capturing breathtaking images. The variety of shots possible also increases when one plans an outdoor shoot. They get to take advantage of the season, scenery, and more. Bruce Weber Photographer has done a large number of his shoots outdoors. A lot of his outdoor work can be considered to be a part of architectural or landscape photography styles.
Bruce Weber Photographer Discusses A Few Elements Important To Outdoor Photo Shoots
There are three key variables crucial in photography, ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. To capture attractive outdoor images, one needs to manipulate and balance all of these three variables. This is why shooting in manual mode is preferred by many photographers. Not only doing so would help them to understand the nuances of these variables, but also allow them to capture varied effects. For instance, a smaller aperture and high shutter speed might be needed to highlight the texture of rocks and leaves in an ultra-crisp landscape. However, when capturing a lake or some other water body, the photographer should try to create an artful blur that helps depict the feeling of motion. This can be done by experimenting with lower shutter speeds.
Higher ISO can let in more light. Even though this seems to be good, higher ISO can actually result in an increasingly grainy image. Professional photographers cannot compromise on the quality of their images at any cost. Hence, they should try to keep their ISO as low as possible. ISO in the 200 to 800 range is usually good enough.
When going for an outdoor shoot, photographers must remember to bring the right lenses along with them. A standard 50mm lens can work well for street or architectural photography. However, if one is planning to capture dramatic landscapes or wildlife in motion, one might need more specialized lenses. But at a minimum, the photographers should have a good wide-angle lens with them to shoot landscapes. Wide angle lenses have many advantages. They can subtly exaggerate the difference between objects in the foreground and background, thereby creating a dramatic vibe in the scene. This factor makes wide angle lenses well suited for compositions where there are intriguing elements in the foreground.
When working with outdoor light, photographers should additionally consider having a lens hood. This will help in reducing glare. A set of polarizing filters can also be advantageous for the shoot. These filters basically allow light in just from certain angles. This helps in reducing glare and atmospheric haze. Polarizing filters are often useful in shooting distant objects like clouds and mountains. Bruce Weber Photographer commonly uses reflectors for his outdoor shoots as well, particularly while capturing portraits. Reflectors assist in fixing odd shadows on the face, and can even prevent a backlit subject from becoming a silhouette.
