Shoot better
vacation
photos
BY ALLEN MACARTNEY
S
OMETIMES LIFE just outshines
technology no matter how hard we
try. Lots of people have returned from
a fabulous vacation with dull, disappointing
photographs of those wonderful moments.
But there’s hope. A few simple guidelines
can take you and your photos to a level that
won’t let you down again.
6. shoot from unusual angles. Rather than Digital cameras allow you to
1. get up close to your subject and fill shoot all your photos at chest level, get play with exposure, composition
the frame. Most people step back right down on the ground. Great photos and angles – the very elements that
when they’re taking a portrait of people. are available early in the morning of make for dynamic, unusual pictures.
NEVER step back! Step forward. Fill the dew-drenched blades of grass! Or try If you shoot a good one, send it
frame with faces. If you’re shooting a sticking your camera lens in a flower in to Ottawa Outdoors Magazine.
canoeing picture, fill the frame with the and firing away. You’ll be amazed at the We may publish it.
canoe and paddler. creative shots you get. Family portrait? Allen Macartney’s photo exhibits have hung
2. say “ten zany zebras on a zip-line!” not Climb a tree and shoot directly down in the deputy Prime Minister’s Parliament
“cheese.” Saying “Cheese” will glaze while your subjects look up. The unusual Hill offices, Toronto City Hall, and McGill
everyone’s eyes over with a strained, flat angle will make it a favourite. University. «OO
expression because people expect to
be told to say “Cheese” during portrait
A
YLEY
shots. So surprise them with something
B
that will make them really smile for the
camera.
How to pack
ON
/D
.
C
OM
3. keep on shooting multiple shots of the
T
O
same subject. With digital cameras, it
doesn’t cost extra to shoot two, five or for the outdoors. I
S
T
OCKPHO
©
15 extra pictures. Take advantage of the B
Y
technology. Keep shooting until you’re
T
O
HO
happy with the results, or until your
P
subjects yell at you to stop.
It pays to take good care of your photo and video equipment.
T
OP
4. avoid shooting in midday under the
And Vistek carries the best names in bags and cases: Tenba,
harsh sun. If you take pictures between
Lowe Pro, Porta Brace, Petrol, Kata, Crumpler, Pelican and others.
We offer models for point and shoot cameras up to DSLRs with
10 a.m. and 4 p.m., expect a flat, one-
lenses; medium format and field cameras; pro and prosumer
dimensional quality to your photos.
video cameras; tripods, stands and lights. Choose from backpack
Colours will be utterly lifeless. Early
and shoulder bag solutions. And by the way, we also carry all
morning and late afternoon – when the
the cameras, lenses, video and lighting gear to fill your bag.
sun is low on the horizon – produce
Visit our Ottawa store or
Vistek.ca/bagscases.aspx
brighter colours and excellent shading.
5. adjust your camera to automatically
shoot a slightly underexposed photo.
Professional photographers have used
this trick for decades to guarantee
excellent colour saturation – rich reds,
blues, orange and greens. Ask a camera
VISTEK OTTAWA
433 Bank Street (at Gladstone Ave.) s (613) 567-4700 or 1-888-428-4466
salesperson to show you how (it’s very
Free Parking s
ottawasales@vistek.ca s
ottawarentals@vistek.ca
easy), or read your manual. Even low-
Shop Online at
vistek.ca
priced automatic cameras allow you to
Stay connected! Receive industry insights and exclusive special offers via e-mail.
Register at
vistek.ca/enews today!
move the minus and plus exposure.
www.OttawaOutdoors.ca
Ott Outdoors
Mag_Jun08.indd 1
OTTAWA >> SUMMER/F
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