Digital photography technology has given us so many great new tools with which to experiment and improve our images. Image editing software allows us to correct blemishes, add special effects and color correct images to our heart’s content. However, when it comes to image editing and correction, it can often become a crutch that actually ends up taking MORE time overall, and time seems to be our most scarce resource these days. Managing your total time invested in an image is particularly important if you make a living as a photographer. Even if you just love snapping shots on the weekends, a little bit of preparation on the front end can make sure you get great shots that need very little, if any, post processing.
Incident Light Meters are Still Immensely Useful: Some photographers believe that shooting digital means no longer using an incident light meter for outdoor portraits, but these handy devices are more useful than ever before. Today’s in-camera light meters are quite good but can still record true white and true black subjects as gray due to the fact that they are metering reflected light as opposed to the actual light hitting your subject. If you’d like to learn more about incident light meters, drop by the store and we’d be glad to show their benefits.
Benefits of Custom White Balance: A custom white balance can save all kinds of post-processing time and the CWB is particularly useful this time of year when many of us are shooting winter snow scenes. If the sun is bright, a CWB will come in very handy in making sure your snow doesn’t have a blue cast. You may wish to lower your exposure value (EV) since your primary subject (snow) will be lighter than your background.
These techniques are also beneficial to those who prefer not to become masters of an image editing program. Become a master of your camera technique instead.
Is it Better to Be Overexposed or Underexposed? When it comes to your digital images, it is usually better—if given the choice—to underexpose and image and not overexpose it. This is one area where an image editing program can really help you in a pinch as they have tools to help pull detail from the darker shadow areas. If an image is overexposed, or ‘blown out,’ there will likely be very little detail that can be salvaged. We believe this same advice applies to celebrities…underexposure is definitely better.
Benefits of a UV Filter: Did you know that ultraviolet rays can have an impact on your images? These rays can make your images appear hazy or blurred. Our Promaster Digital HGX UV filter is a multipurpose fine-weather filter for color as well as black and white photography. The exclusive PROMASTER REPELLAMAX element resistant coating repels moisture, fingerprints, dust, dirt, and grime to make sure the sharpest image possible. As an added bonus, this filter can double as a lens protector! Learn more about this quality UV filter here:
http://www.promaster.com/digital
Sports Photography Tip: When it comes to photographing winter sports, it’s often the athlete’s expressions that pull us into the shot. Next time you’re shooting a sporting event, think about the best place to occupy that would allow you to capture your subject’s expression during key moments. Try to spend a few minutes before the event starts to scout a place that will let you capture the exhilaration of the athlete as well as the action.
