Do you often travel to new places for vacations with family or friends, especially for outdoor activities? Photography definitely becomes an essential part of capturing those moments.
A good photography process can result in stunning photos, allowing you to preserve every memory to the fullest. Especially when you’re surrounded by breathtaking natural landscapes that you’ve never seen before, you’ll want to bring out all your photography skills to capture Instagram-worthy shots.
But sometimes, you might feel that your outdoor photography results are unsatisfactory or the background is too dark. Here are some photography tips for outdoor shoots to make your photos more impressive and captivating!
Avoid Midday Sunlight
Natural lighting is undoubtedly the best companion for outdoor photography, but it's better to avoid the sun at midday. This is when the sun is directly overhead, and its light is the brightest. Your camera will be exposed to harsh, uncontrolled light, creating sharp shadows. If you must shoot during midday, try standing in the shade. This will create a dramatic effect in your photos.
Always Use RAW Format
Before you start shooting, set your camera to capture photos in RAW format. RAW files are unmodified and come directly from your camera’s sensor. Compared to JPEG files, RAW images contain far more pixels, which allows you more flexibility during editing. While RAW files take up more memory space, they offer much more room to adjust and enhance your photos later.
Focus on the Eyes When Photographing People
Outdoor photography doesn’t always involve landscapes or scenic views. Sometimes, you’ll want to photograph a model outdoors or capture a moment with friends. When photographing people, always focus on their eyes, especially in portrait shots. The eyes are usually the sharpest feature on a person's face. With focusing on the eyes, the camera will naturally apply a bokeh effect to the background.
Keep ISO as Low as Possible
ISO determines your camera’s sensitivity to light. The higher the ISO, the less light your camera needs, which is helpful in outdoor environments. However, high ISO can introduce noise in your photos. Therefore, aim to keep your ISO setting as low as possible. While you may need to increase ISO when photographing fast-moving subjects, using a fast shutter speed can help minimize noise, making it harder to notice.
Use a Polarizing Filter
If you frequently engage in outdoor photography, it’s a good idea to use a polarizing filter on your camera. This tool allows light to enter the camera at specific angles. With rotating the filter, you can eliminate glare from the sun. Additionally, a polarizing filter helps remove reflections when photographing windows, water, and other reflective surfaces.
Dear Lykkers! These simple outdoor photography tips can make your shots more stunning without the need for heavy editing or filters. Now you don’t have to worry about capturing photos in bright daylight—just follow these tips, and you’ll be able to get amazing results. Ready to give these practical techniques a try?
