Category: Tips

copyright Karen Ulvestad

Controlling the narrative

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Tips

Photography is visual communication. What we put into the photograph communicates what we see in the scene or situation. We control the story through subject matter, composition, and exposure. Post processing the digital file enhances our narrative about the subject.

copyright Karen Ulvestad

The narrative portrayed in a photograph is subjective to the photographer and the viewer. It is the culmination of light control, color / black & white, softness or sharpness. It is often defined by the interpretation of the subject by the photographer. In the image above, the tulip is photographed in soft, diffused light with a shallow depth of field. The light creates soft colors that are reminiscent of springtime.

The shallow depth of field is controlled by the aperture setting. The light is softened by clouds and the trees. This photograph was taken indoors by a window with a screen. The screen acted to diffuse the background colors, and the camera was close enough not to detect the pattern of the screen.

Equipment: Canon 5D Mk IV; Sigma Art Lens 24-105; Extension Tubes; Tripod

copyright Karen Ulvestad

Filling the entire frame with color, texture, and shapes directs the attention to the subject. In this image, the viewer only sees the color of the flower and its petal pattern. The brightness of color is reminiscent of summer. This is a dahlia flower, and the light came through the roof of a greenhouse. The light is even due to the position of the light to the flower. The lens of the camera is parallel to the top of the flower. This allows the amount of focus in the photograph.

Equipment: Samsung Galaxy J7 Phone

copyright Karen Ulvestad
copyright Karen Ulvestad
copyright Karen Ulvestad

This last photograph was taken at a very crowded urban area. There were several hundred people under the trees admiring the beautiful cherry blossoms, and tall buildings. This is a time where being selective and creative with the situation needs to happen when choosing the subject. In this scenario, the time of day is crucial for the right lighting of the blossoms and the photograph’s over-all color.

Equipment: Canon 5D Mk II; Canon Lens 17-40 at 17mm

May your Spring be filled with Great Photographs. . .Karen

copyright Karen Ulvestad

Capturing Nature’s Mood

by karenulvestad, posted in light, Tips

Each season brings different moods to our natural landscape. Winter shows us a moody vision with clouds, rain or snow, and lower light. The colors shift from bright summer colors to subdued winter shades. The tonal quality moves towards the middle tones, and contrast is decreased. Clouds in the sky become a giant diffusion filter, diffusing the natural light and letting less light hit the landscape.

The image below shows low lying clouds nestled between hillsides, leafless trees, and rain drops on the water. Less light brings a “darker” feeling to the forest. The aperture is larger to bring sharpness to the entire photograph. So, what mood does it show?

copyright Karen Ulvestad

The composition affects the amount of light that shows in the photograph. Less sky leaves less light in the image. More sky includes more light. Each of these situations changes how the camera “reads” the available light. The exposure with more forest is easier to get a correct exposure, and details in the land features. When more sky is included, the exposure needs to over-expose the scene, if details are wanted in the forest and land features.

In the image below, the exposure allows more light to create the image. The mid-tones (Highlights and Shadows) are worked on through Adobe Camera RAW, which brings out more detail in both the clouds and the trees. A similar exposure can be created in-camera using HDR.

copyright Karen Ulvestad

Drama in the image is created through working on contrast, keeping areas darker/lighter, or desaturating the color (including black & white). The best way to create “moody” images is to shoot RAW files, and refine the photograph on the computer. Sometimes, it is simple like darkening specific areas, and lightening others. The image below is desaturated color. There is still a little bit of color left in the green trees. The clouds contribute to the separation of the darker, tree covered hills. This image shows more contrast in this monochromatic form, than full color.

copyright Karen Ulvestad

As I navigate through the new reality of the pandemic and other challenges, I am teaching more classes and workshops online. If you would like more information on this topic, feel free to contact me directly. Thank you. . .

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

Changing Times. . .

by karenulvestad, posted in Bird Festivals, Tips

It’s amazing how quickly our world changes! I hope this post finds all my followers in good health. As we navigate this new world filled with a dangerous pandemic (virus) and travel restrictions, I think it becomes more important to find ourselves behind our cameras documenting the world.

The act of being creative puts perspective to the unseen and sometimes frightening aspects of our lives. I sit here at home contemplating opportunities that have been canceled in the past few weeks and in the upcoming future. There is a lot to fear, yet it is an opportunity for a new future and growth in vision.

I believe that this is an opportunity to hang out at home, work previous images, and plan / execute new subject matter / ideas. It’s like we have been asked to take a step back from our normally busy world, and breathe. I look forward to the photographic images that emerge through this time of transition and change.

The photo above was taken last year on my way to the Othello Sandhill Crane Festival. I spoke on bird photography. It was an amazing trip and opportunity to meet fellow photographers. This year, the festival was canceled due to the pandemic. I was going to lead a photography tour highlighting the migratory Sandhill Cranes. Maybe, I’ll get to do this next year. . .

I did venture to the Port Susan Snow Goose Festival. It was a quiet year for sighting birds at a close distance. This photo was taken last year (2019).  A year made an immense difference in flock sizes and attendees of the festival. It seems like there was a shadow hanging overhead in the background.

Many of the festivals and gatherings for photographers (and others) are canceled in the foreseeable future, so what are we to do?

First, I think it is important to continue shooting. It might sound difficult to achieve in this home-bound times, but it only requires a bit of creativity. Maybe, it’s time to learn a new photography skill. It could be choosing subjects at home that will improve skills. Everything we learn as photographers translates into better photographs. Now is a great time to try new things.

Second, I believe it helps to create assignments to complete. An example would be to shoot a photo a day, or select a word and try to accomplish it in a photograph.

Third, this is a great time for planning. I’ve been working on planning 6 to 12 months from now, making the plans flexible. I know that these plans help me with creating course content for my classes / workshops, designing new products to sell, and personal projects. Often times, these sessions reveal opportunities for books, articles, and blog entries.

One last thing. . .all of my classes will be taught online until further notice.

Autumn is Coming!

by karenulvestad, posted in light, Tips

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The colors in Autumn are either amazing or subtle in the Pacific Northwest. After a long hot summer, the weather is turning to rain, cooler temperatures, and the days seem darker. The reds, yellows, and golds are beginning to peek through, and shine on these shortening days.

There are 2 different weather conditions I prefer to shoot fall color in. . .sunny (or partly cloudy) and over-cast. These offer 2 distinct opportunities to record the amazing color of the trees and flowers at this time of the year.

The sunny sky offers bright, vibrant leaf color, and a blue sky to place in the background. It is usually warmer, and more pleasant to be outside photographing nature. I use a polarizing filter to bring out the best color, and minimize the “hot” spots in the photo.

On the other hand, over-cast days offer even light and less contrast. The colors are often muted. The clouds at like a giant diffuser of the sun’s light, and offers a “softer” light on everything. I may or may not use a polarizing filter under these conditions. I do like the way it removes the “white” reflection of the clouds on the colors making them richer in color saturation.

Then, there is the rainy weather. I’ll save that one for another entry. . .

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

Black & White Photography Tips

by karenulvestad, posted in Digital Darkroom, Tips, Workshops

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Black and white photography relies on the tonal quality of the colors in the scene. The way the photographer “sees” the image changes. Without the reliance on color, the photograph relies on whites, blacks, and gray tones.

The human eye sees about 16 million colors. To create a successful black and white photograph, those colors need to be translated into their tonal quality. This is dependent on camera settings, and post production processes.

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Traditional black and white was done with black and white film. The process of exposure and film choice dictated the end photograph. Modern digital cameras work differently. The camera’s photo sensor sees light and filters colors. Black and white settings on the camera can produce beautiful photographs, though it will depend on the camera’s programming.

The contrast between light and dark, along with the mid-tones, create the black and white image. The settings for black and white are in picture style, filters, or color (tone) menus of the digital camera. In many cameras, the photographer can set the contrast, brightness, and other settings for the photograph.

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The second way to create successful black and white photographs is in the post processing phase of modern photography. There are many different types of photo processing software and photo filters available. The photos in this blog were done in Adobe Photoshop.

Karen
Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

To learn more, I’ll be teaching Black & White photography on the amazing Oregon coast this June 2018. The Oregon Coast in Black & White, June 18th & 19th, 2018 at the Sitka Center for Arts & Ecology. For more information, click here.

Backgrounds & Choices

by karenulvestad, posted in light, Tips

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The combination of background and available light affects the outcome of a photograph. Birds are adept at camouflage, and our cameras are great at hiding the subject. The photo above is a corn field and 7 sandhill cranes. The coloration of the cranes allows them to blend into the remaining brown corn stalks, and almost disappear.

The late afternoon lighting leaves long shadows for these cranes to blend into the field.

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In this photo of the trumpeter swans, the dark background helps the swans stand-out as the subject of the image. The swans are in shade (similar to the crane photo above), and their coloring allows them to be easily differentiated from the trees in the background.

Both of these images are taken with a 600 mm lens, yet the ease of see the subject is dependent on the background and exposure. Both are shot at F8. The difference is the location of the birds with the background. The cranes are in the field. The swans are flying past the trees.

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This last photo has the simplest background. The solid blue sky offers a background to easily see the subject, 2 sandhill cranes in flight.

Background choices can help or hinder the success of a photograph. Ultimately, it is dependent on opportunity, exposure, and choices made by the photographer.

Tip – Use backgrounds for your subjects that help convey the vision of the photograph.

Karen
Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

Choices, Exposure & Composition

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, light, Tips

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The experience included hundreds of sandhill cranes flying overhead, with some landing in the field below. Their sounds waft in the air, like a light trill. Unlike ducks and geese, the cranes seem to fly without formation, and their flight is affected by wind gusts.

At a distance, it becomes easy to place hundreds of these amazing birds into a single frame. The photo above is taken with a 600 mm lens. The challenge becomes “how are the birds placed in the frame?”

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One thing to remember is that these birds are not small. There size ranges from 3 to 5 feet tall (depending on sub-species and male/female), and their wing span ranges from 5 to 7 feet across.

The photo above is a grouping of 3 birds against the sky. Light is important in all photography, and especially important when photographing birds. The light in this image is late afternoon sun, and it casts a warm glow in these cranes. It is important to light up the head (or face) of the bird.

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In this photo, the light brings the cranes out from the blue background. Without the sunlight, the birds would blend into the background, and be more difficult to see. As for where to focus. it is good to select an area with a large concentration of birds. It is easier for the camera’s auto-focus to actually focus on the subject.

As for exposure, expose for the birds. The background isn’t as important as the cranes, and it’s okay for it to go light or dark. The shutter speed needs to be fast enough (1/250 sec or faster) to keep the cranes from blurring. At a distance, an aperture of F8 should offer enough depth of field to keep most of the birds is focus.

Tip – Use the available light. Set the shutter speed to stop the action, and the aperture to keep most of the flock in focus.

Karen
Visualize ~ Create ~ Evoke

Familiar Subjects – New Perspective

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Tips

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The migratory trumpeter and tundra swans are a familiar subject to me and my camera. Often, they stay at a distance to areas that they can be photographed from. The limitations become equipment and the cost of these longer lenses.

Today, I tested out my new lens. It’s a Tamron 150-600mm 5-6.3 lens, and it is amazing! The photographs in this post are taken today with this new lens. It allowed me to fill the frame with more bird and less environment. I was happy with the image stabilization of the lens. These images are taken hand-held.

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I think this one is my favorite of these two photos. This is un-cropped and a full-frame sensor camera body. The lens is at 600 mm. With my previous lens (Canon 100-400), the swan would be much smaller in the frame, and the environment would be a stronger element.

Sometimes, it takes new equipment to bring a fresh perspective to a familiar subject. I cannot wait to find the next flock of birds to photograph!

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

Simplicity or Chaos?

by karenulvestad, posted in Instruction, Tips

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Composition is a direct reflection on the photographer. Certain aspects can be learned, yet your personal viewpoint seeps through in every photograph we create.

Our photographic vision reflects our inner self, and where we are emotionally at the point of the photograph. It is basically impossible to separate our inner turmoil from showing in our photographs.

Photography is the immediate recording of the environment, both in the physical world in front of the camera lens and our inner self. One does not exist without the other.

Like all other life adventures, photography is part of the journey to ourselves.

Tip of the Day. . .Even if the chaos in our lives shows through in our photographs, look for the qualities shown in the images that reflects a “story.” The best images show or trigger an emotion in the viewer. Remember, we are our own worst critics. . .

Happy Shooting. . .Karen

 

Focus. . .

by karenulvestad, posted in Tips

copyright Karen Ulvestad

Focus is a key to a successful photograph! I mean focus on the subject and the idea behind the image. What message is the photographer trying to convey through the visual medium of photography.

Beyond technique, a great photograph shares a story. Otherwise, why would we want to look at it, share it, have it in our homes (or office), or purchase it?

The message could be peace and tranquility. It may show the chaos of the inner city. What is it that drives the interest in the photograph? What is it’s story?

As photographers, we can all take beautiful photographs. The digital age make accessibility to quality equipment available to a wider range of people. There are so many choices – phones, point and shoots, mirrorless, or DSLR.

So, what story do you wish to tell? It is a question to ask yourself as you compose your photographs.

Happy Shooting. . .Karen