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How To Capture Photos Of Famous Landmarks That Are Unique

From the Great Pyramids of Giza to the vast temples of Angkor Wat, famous landmarks around the world are a big part of our travel experiences. It’s no surprise that these iconic places are often full of tourists hoping to capture their own memorable photos. So how can you make your photos stand out? How can you show a place that has been photographed millions of times in a different light? There’s no doubt that in this age of digital photography, that is much harder to do. But with a little bit of hard work and patience, it is possible to capture photos of famous landmarks that are unique. Here are 6 tips to help you on your way.

1. Go onto Google maps

Often my first port of call when researching a destination is Google maps. I do always wonder how photographers of yesteryear were able to research their shoot in an age before the internet. Google maps really is a tremendous tool for photographers to use. Not only can you search on it to find possible locations that you can use to capture shots of the landmark, but can you can actually step in and view it as if you are there. By looking at street view you can move around and do you initial scouting before you even leave your house.

I always spend a considerable amount of time researching every spot by looking at street view. I make notes about possible locations thinking about the direction of the light and possible compositions. This always forms the basis of my shoot at a destination.

2. Look on social media

Another really great tool of this age for research is social media. After I have some ideas for a location my next stop if often Instagram. I look through the various accounts and hashtags that are relevant to the location. One of the best attributes of Instagram is that it allows anyone to upload photos. So you often see photos from locals of a location that may not conform to the usual time of day, season or even location. This is great research and can give you a ton of ideas on how you can make your shots stand out from the crowd.

I also look through accounts of tourists boards and local businesses. Because you may find a new hotel or rooftop bar opening with a unique view of the landmark.

3. Allow plenty of time at your location

One of the big differences between everyday tourists and photographers is the amount of time they spend at a location. The average tourist might turn up, take a few photos and be on their way. As a photographer, I would rarely spend that little time anywhere. How can you possibly hope to capture the best shots if you are gone within a few minutes? Allow yourself enough time at a location to really feel like you know it. Walk around the landmark. Think about the direction of the light and how it will look at different times of the day. Imagine what the shot would look like from low on the ground or high up or with people in the shot. The more time you have at a location, the greater your chances of a great photo.

4. Turn around and look the other way

It can be hard to take your eyes off that famous landmark. But one of the best bits of advice I can give for photographing famous landmarks is to look the other way when you are there. Why is that? It’s not necessary to take photos – although sometimes you can capture nice shots of reflections – it’s to find interesting locations to shoot from. You never know, you might spot a street that can give you a different view of the iconic landmark. Or even a rooftop bar or balcony that you may be able to get to by speaking to the owner. You just never know what you might find if you look the other way.

5. Take risks with your composition

I’m not naive enough to think that anyone will get to a famous landmark and not take the classic eye-level shot. That is a given and you should take the shot. Obviously, make sure it is as good as you can make it. But once you are done with those classic shots, then it’s time to really get to work. Start to look at different angles and compositions that you may never even consider usually. For example, tilt your camera to get a different look to the photo. Or get really close look straight up at the landmark. Maybe even try something creative like looking through an archway, a window or even through peoples legs. The quirkier and less conventional the better. You never know, you might end up with something incredibly unique.

6. Embrace bad weather

I’ll be the first to admit that heading out in the cold and wet is not very enticing. But often these conditions can provide some unique shooting opportunities. From reflection on the ground during and after rain to simply being able to add people with umbrellas into the composition. It can give you a completely different photo than the usual. If you are lucky enough to get snow, mist or fog, that’s even better! Think about how often you see a famous landmark or monuments in these conditions? Not often right. So if you can capture photos during these times they are bound to look different from what exists already.

Seeing an iconic landmark for the first time can leave you breathless. But unfortunately, it can be difficult to replicate that in photos especially in this digital age of photography. But if you are willing to look beyond the obvious eye-level shots you could capture some really wonderful and unique photos. Just do your research and don’t be afraid to experiment and take risks with your shot.

A Guide To Different Types Of Lenses

I often get asked what lens should I buy? Whilst you can photograph anything with any lens often this isn’t advisable or possible. For example, no one wants to get too close to a lion to take a photo. Or trying to capture a cityscape with a telephoto lens means you have to stand so far away which might make it almost impossible. So having different lenses will give you more opportunities to be able to photograph different situations. I have never been one to advocate spending too much money on unwanted equipment. But when it comes to lenses, unfortunately, quality does matter. The better the quality of the lens, the better your images will be. Sharpness and the colour will be better with a better lens. It will also allow you to take photos with a faster shutter speed as you can select a wider aperture. This means that you can take photos handheld at lower light conditions. So if you have been unsure about which lenses do what, here is our guide to the different types of lenses.

Super wide-angle lenses

Super wide-angle lenses generally are less than 24 mm focal lengths. With this wide angle of view, they lend themselves to landscape photography and architectural photography. The only other scenario where these lenses might be useful is when you are working in confined spaces. For example, photographing a market vendor with a lens like this will allow you to capture their surroundings as well. But these lenses have to be used carefully otherwise you may find that your subject appears too small within the competition.

Wide-angle lenses

These are general wide-angle lenses. They are what most photographers use day-to-day. These will often be 24-70 mm and will allow the photographer to be able to photograph a wide range of scenarios with one lens. Over 90% of the photos that I would take on any shoot will be taken with this lens. This should be the first lens that you buy.

Prime lenses

Most photographers these days would have zoom lenses that allow you to have a range of focal lengths. Prime lenses are set so you cannot change the focal length. In other words, you can’t zoom in or zoom out. The benefit of these lenses is that they are often cheaper than buying good quality zoom lenses. They often also have a fast aperture such as f/1.2. This will allow you to capture photos in very low light conditions handheld.

Prime lenses are also a good way to practice becoming better as a photographer. Because you have to move around and get closer to your subject, you will find yourself doing the same when you have a zoom lens. Even if you don’t own a prime lens it’s always worth renting one for a few days and setting yourself the task of capturing photos with just that lens. You may be surprised by the results and your progression as a photographer.

Telephoto lenses

Telephoto lenses range from about 65-250 mm. The main characteristic of telephoto lenses is that they magnify your subject. In other words, you can capture closer photos of things which are further away. The other characteristic of telephoto lenses is that they will shorten perspective. This will make everything in a scene seem more compact. These lenses are generally used for head and shoulder portraits which give a pleasing perspective of the face of your subjects. The other benefit of these lenses when taking portraits is that it allows you not to be too close to your subject. Often that little bit of space can help relax them a little bit more and give better photos. The telephoto lenses are also useful for landscape photography especially cityscapes. When things are too far away they are useful in isolating a small section of a wide scene.

Super telephoto lenses

Anyone wanting to venture into wildlife photography, bird photography or even sports photography you would likely need these super-telephoto lenses. They will have a very narrow-angle of view and will often be very big and heavy to carry. If that doesn’t put you off the price often will. But for certain scenarios, you will not be able to capture a photo as well as you could without one of these lenses.

For example in bird photography, if you want to take pictures where you can actually see the bird close up, you are going to need at least a 500 mm lens. You may sometimes get away with using a shorter telephoto for some scenarios such as sport and some wildlife. But if you want to capture photos as you see in magazines and newspapers you are going to need one of the big serious telephoto lenses.

Perspective correction lenses

Perspective correction lenses or tilt and shift lenses are primarily used by architectural photographers. The main benefit of tilt and shift lenses is that they can eliminate linear distortion. This occurs when you take photographs of buildings where you tilt your camera upwards. By allowing you to control the angle of the plane of focus you can keep the image plane parallel to the building. Thus eliminating that effect of a building looking like it’s falling backwards. Keep in mind that these lenses are expensive and these days you can remove converging lines using post-processing software. Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom can remove this distortion easily.

Macro lenses

Macro lenses are ideal for photographing very small things such as insects or individual flowers. Generally, these macro lenses are described by the degree of magnification possible. A macro lens with 1x magnification is capable of one-to-one reproduction. A lens capable of 0.5x times magnification reduces objects at half life-size. They are specialist lenses for these types of scenarios.

Teleconverters

Teleconverters are accessories that fit between the camera body and the lens. They are used to increase the focal length of the lens and come in a variety of magnification (i.e. 1.4x, 2x, and so on). So for example using a 2x teleconverter on a 70-210 mm lens will turn that lens to a 140-240mm lens. They are ideal if you need a one-off solution where you need to magnify your lens. For example, if you are going on a safari and don’t want to rent or spend money buying an expensive super-telephoto lens this is a cheap alternative. But unfortunately, they do come with the downside of inferior optics. This will have an effect on the sharpness of your images. So you need to decide whether you would want to put a cheap piece of glass between your expensive lens and your expensive camera?

Image stabilisation

This is a feature that is available on most lenses these days. It is especially useful in telephoto lenses as it allows you to take photos at shutter speeds two or three stops below the recommended minimum shutter speed. For example with a 200 mm lens, image stabilisation will allow you to photograph at 1/60th or even 1/30th of a second handheld. Whereas without image stabilisation you would need a shutter speed of at least 1/200th sec or more. You will often see the image stabilisation referred to with IS on Canon and VR on Nikon. So in summary image stabilisation will allow you to take photos at slower shutter speeds then you would normally be able to handheld.

Like most things a photographer carries, lenses will be added to over your photography journey. The key is to always buy the very best lens that you can afford. Because lenses make a huge difference in the quality of your photos. But always buy what you actually are going to use. You can always rent a specialist lens for a one-off trip, assignment or even for personal photography. So there you have it. A brief summary of lenses and what they are for.

6 Tips For Better Local Park Photos

Wherever you live in the world, you are sure to have a local park near you. Parks are fantastic places to photograph and importantly practice parts of your photography that you may be weak in. Besides the array of fauna and flowers, there are also people to photograph, wildlife and even sculptures and art. The great thing about parks is that you will often find people interacting with each other and nature. There might even be some people playing sport. All of this can lead to some great photos. To help you on your way here 6 tips for photographing local parks.

Use the right light

Light is vital in any sort of outdoor photography. Parks are no different. To capture great photos of parks aim to take your photos early in the morning or late in the afternoon. The soft golden light will enhance shadows and give the scene a warm glow. If you really want to improve your park photos, learn how to utilise this light creatively by for example backlighting your subject or creating sunbursts. The other advantage of photographing early morning is that you may also get some mist which will enhance the scene further.

Know what the rules are

Some local parks will be clear about what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to photography. For example, in some parks, tripods or drones might not be allowed. Or some may only allow photos for non-commercial use. For example, some of the Royal parks in London allow photography for editorial use but not commercial. The majority of the time if you are not intending to use the photos for commercial purposes (i.e. they are just for yourself) you will be fine and should have no problem. But it’s worth checking the rules and also using common sense. For example, taking pictures of kids or people sunbathing might get you being asked some questions. Also, pay attention to things like opening and closing times. You don’t want to end up being locked a park.

Look for stories

Parks are a wonderful place to practice your storytelling photography. There are so many different situations happening that the possibilities are endless. It could be someone walking their dog or people enjoying ice cream. Including people in your photos is a great way to tell these stories. These photos can often give you the unique shots that will make your portfolio stand out from the crowd. They are everywhere to be seen, you just need to keep your eyes open to capture them.

Shoot a few great photos

One of the great things about photographing in parks is the sheer volume of subjects that you can capture. From flowers, trees, lakes and animals to statues, wildlife, bugs and even people, they all offer great opportunities for photos. Instead of trying to photograph everything do some research to try and find what that park is famous for. Then just focus on capturing that part of the park. You may not end up with as many photos, but the ones that you have will stand out much more. Remember it’s far better to have a selection of fantastic photos than a whole load of mediocre ones.

Don’t forget the details

Photography allows us to photograph and see the little things. Often these small details Are missed by the naked eye. So instead of always trying to capture the wide-angle views, step in closer and capture those small details that you notice from time to time. It could just be the beautiful bark of a tree or the leaves of a plant. Not only will these types of photos give you a variety for your portfolio, but they will also provide you with wonderful abstract images. So don’t be afraid to experiment by getting in closer. You never know, you might be surprised by the result.

A close-up photo of the shell of a turtle.

Take your time

As with any form of travel photography, often you have to be willing to be patient and wait for the right moment to capture your shot. So if you spot a scene where you think it could be improved or the light isn’t right either sit and wait. Or come back later in the day. The key is not to cram too much into your shot list for each day so that you enough sufficient “waiting” time.

Parks are a great place to practice any form of photography you are interested in. Most often they are easily accessible and with the plethora of subjects on offer to photograph, it means it is easy to hone your skills. Just do your research beforehand and if time permits even scout the park out. Just make sure you pay attention to the rules.

Which Type Of Camera Is Right For You?

Mirrorless or DSLR? Compact or smartphone? Or do you go for a medium format? These days the choice of cameras can seem endless. But if you know the differences between them that can be a great help in helping you choose the right one. Budget will also, of course, be a factor. So here is our guide to help you decide which type of camera is right for you?

Smartphone cameras

The first option when it comes to cameras is the trusty smartphone. Because after all the best camera is the one that you always have with you. Smartphones have improved vastly over the years and are slowly becoming a serious player in the camera market. In fact, it’s not unusual to even see photos that were taken with a smartphone being accepted by prospective clients. There are some smartphones now that can offer high-quality resolution and are even good in low light conditions. There are so many choices out there so do your research and chose one that will do what you are looking for.

Standard compact cameras

These are generally the basic point and shoot entry-level cameras. Whilst they are normally fully automatic, there is usually also the option to adjust some settings manually. Some will also offer HD video recording, image stabilization and even Wifi connectivity which is useful for uploading photos directly onto social media platforms. Most will also have a 10x zoom lens, built-in flash and an LCD screen on the back. With prices starting at around $80 it’s often the go-to camera for people who just want to take family or vacation photos.

Zoom compact

The next level up from the standard compact cameras are the zoom compact ranges. These are very similar to standard compact but often will have a more powerful zoom lens. For some models, this can be as much as x30. You will often have some manual exposure options as well as the usual fully automatic modes. As per standard compact cameras, they will usually have HD video recording and some models might offer extras such as GPS for geotagging or WiFi connectivity. Prices would usually start around $150 with some models being +$500.

Adventure cameras

An alternative option to the standard compact cameras are the adventure cameras. They are usually similar in their features to standard cameras and also a similar zoom. The big benefit of these cameras is that they are built to withstand the elements. Their tough casing might make them waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof and even have toughened glass on the lens. If you are going to be using your camera in harsh conditions, this would be a good alternative to standard compact cameras.

Advanced compact

Even though these cameras might look like the normal standard cameras, they offer far flexibility and control in their photo taking. Designed for more experienced photographers, they are ideal for those who want more versatility, quality and creative features. Options such as manual exposure mode and manual focusing features, optical viewfinders and external flash connections make these cameras a good option for photographers who want more control over their photos.

Compact (mirrorless) system cameras

The big step up from the compact systems is to the mirrorless cameras. The big benefit of these cameras over compact cameras is the ability to have interchangeable lenses which mean greater flexibility. But you can also benefit from all of the manual and creative features of SLR cameras without the burden of the additional weight. Mirrorless cameras have been experiencing a huge boom and they are becoming increasingly more powerful. Some of the latest models are as good as the higher-end DSLR cameras with some professional photographers also investing in these cameras as an alternative or even replacement to their usual cameras. These cameras are a great option for anyone from hobby photographers or even those who are more serious about their photography and even pros.

DSLR

Traditionally the go-to option for serious amateur and professional photographers, DSLR cameras helped make the transition between film and digital. With interchangeable lenses, full manual control, superb image quality they have been top of the tree for a long time. That position is under threat from mirrorless cameras and in the years to come they may fully replace traditional DSLRs. The majority of DLSRs use a sensor size called: APS-C. The high-end ranges will have a full-frame sensor which is the same size as the traditional 35mm film. Prices start from around $400 for an entry-level model with a standard lens right through to over $3000 just for the camera body for a full-frame model.

Medium format cameras

If you have a few thousand dollars to spend, then medium format cameras are the highest quality cameras you can get. This is the next step up from full-frame DSLR cameras. With a bigger sensor than even the full-frame DSLRs, it means higher image resolution (60 megapixels). But this extra quality comes at a whopping price. For example, some medium format cameras can cost in excess of $25,000! But before you rush out and get yourself one, ask if you are actually going to need that extra quality. The reality is that photos that are taken with full-frame DSLR cameras or even mirrorless camera will be a good enough quality to print even at big sizes.

Whatever camera you choose the important thing to remember is that your photos won’t automatically become better. You will just have more tools to be able to control the photo-taking process. Yes, your photos will have a better resolution, but a poorly composed photo in poor light will still not impress anyone, even if it is taken with a medium format camera. Invest in the best quality camera that you can afford. Then upgrade when you can afford to do so. These days it seems like a new camera is released every day. As long as you follow the advice above and learn the differences in the camera systems you will be able to purchase what’s right for you.

6 Things That Could Be Holding Your Back Your Photos

Most amateur photographers at some point through their journey feel like they have reached their peak. This might lead to the frustration that they cannot take their potential in taking great photos any further. Often the barriers that are holding them back have nothing to do with skill. Instead, they are either mental or the common photography pitfalls that they fall into. If you are one of these photographers, fear not. Below you’ll find 6 potential issues that are holding you back. The first step in being able to push through your limitations is to understand them. Because only then can you begin to rectify these issues and move forward.

Not confident enough

Confidence plays a huge part in anything that we humans do. When you are confident you feel you can achieve anything. It helps to motivate and push you further. But a lack of confidence in photography is probably the most common reason that is holding people back. Confidence is such a vital part of photography that if you are lacking in confidence, it is something you need to address. The first thing you should do is establish what you are lacking confidence in? Is it approaching people to take their photo? Is it the confidence in knowing what settings to use? Or is it a lack of confidence in your ability?

Whatever you are lacking confidence in, that is the area that you should focus on. But it’s not enough to simply acknowledge it. You need to try to train yourself to improve in that area. Because that is what will give you the confidence you need. For example, if you are shy and don’t like approaching people, make it a mission to do so. Set yourself a daily challenge to photograph one person. Then increase it to two and so on. Eventually, it will become second nature to you.

Or for example, if you are lacking confidence in knowing what settings to choose, make that a priority to practice. Go to a market for a day and keep shooting until you get a good idea of the settings you need. Then next time practice photographing during the blue hour until that becomes comfortable for you to do. Eventually, you will have a good understanding of every scenario and what settings you need to use.

Blaming your gear

This is one of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to photography. Having better or more expensive equipment will not make you a better photographer. If you don’t believe this, just have a look on Instagram at the thousands of amazing iPhone photographers out there. So don’t hide behind your gear and instead try to examine and understand how and why your photos are not as good as you want them to be. Better equipment will make the quality of your photos better. But that is in terms of resolution, sharpness and even colour saturation. But a poorly composed and executed photo will not be made better with a more expensive camera.

Saying “I don’t have enough time”

Everyone in any line of profession is always guilty of using this excuse. Whilst it is true that as an amateur photographer you may not have as much time to dedicate to photography as a pro, it shouldn’t be an excuse. If you want to improve your photography you have to dedicate the time to learn, practice and even examine your failures. Try to dedicate a set night in a week where you can just focus on photography. Think of it like attending a class. Or if you struggle to manage your time why not join a local camera club. Often you will find that because there are regular meetings every week, it will become part of your schedule.

Not shooting enough

Even if you feel that you do not have the time at all, at the very least you should carry your camera with you every day. Using the time when you are commuting to take photos is a good way to practice. Photography is like any other hobby or profession, the more you practice the better you will become. Try to set yourself a target daily, weekly or even monthly. But try not to think of it as to quantity but rather quality. Aim to capture one great shot a day. So even though you might take fifty photos, aim for that one fantastic shot. Even if you managed to capture just one great shot a week, that would be 52 a year. But think of how many you might have taken for those 52? Those photos will help you learn as much as your great shots.

Too impatient

One of the things that always astonishes me is how often I see photographers turn up somewhere, take a photo and leave in the blink of an eye. There is no time spent thinking about the shot or the light. No thought on the composition or even just taking in the scene. Very rarely will I ever find that my favourite photo from a scene is my first shot. Of course, sometimes there won’t be time to wait around and you have to capture the shot straight away. But if you are photographing something like a landscape scene, take your time instead of rushing to take the photo. You might be surprised by the results.

Giving up

All of the points above sometimes end up with you giving up. You may give up waiting for the perfect light when you are at a scene. Or you might just give up photography. The thing about photography is that sometimes it can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. Even seasoned professionals will have their moments of thinking that a change in career might be in order. But if you can persevere and identify where you can improve then you may just find yourself being able to push through the thought of giving.

Photography can be incredibly rewarding. Just think of that moment when you were able to nail that shot that you had to work hard to capture. Or maybe it was just a lucky fleeting moment. Either way, you are proud of that shot. So every time that you feel that one of the issues above is holding you back think to that moment. Or just imagine how great it would be to capture that incredible shot. It may just stop the issue holding you back.