Thus far we've considered photography tips on waves, waterscapes, waterfalls, reflections, abstracts, splash 'n spray, foam 'n bubbles, and puddles as remedies for the photo doldrums. But, water can provide even more photo op's! Here are 4 more.
#1 - Condensation: Perhaps more often associated with man-made things - cold objects amid warm, moist air - condensation is an often overlooked source of interesting pictures. So, watch out for cold water pipes and surfaces in warm places. Or, open your fridge sometime and check out the food containers with clear plastic lids. Are there any condensed water droplets on the underside of the lids? Remove the lid without disturbing the droplets, (Tip: leave the lids just sitting on top instead of clicked down tight) and gently place it down on a flat surface suitable for a background. Set up your camera to shoot straight down on the lid for over-all sharpness.
Regularly check your local weather forecasts and keep a notebook of the special places you find in your neighbourhood that provide good locations for shots that include the following:
# 2 - Hail: Hail is possible with most thunderstorms as it is usually produced at the leading edge of a severe storm system and usually falls within 2 miles of its parent storm, during the summer months, in the afternoon and evening hours. Hail-producing clouds are often identifiable by their green coloration and hailstorms normally last about 3-15 minutes. Hailstones can vary from less than pea-size to larger than 4". Place a hailstone over a slightly smaller hole in black cardboard and shine a light up through the hole and the hailstone, and photograph the hailstone's interior structure. Or picture assorted stones along with coins, etc for size comparison on a dark background. Or photograph it after a heavy fall where ever it lays, amid the damage it may cause.
# 3 - Mist: In the early morning or late evening, mist or groundfog can generate "artist's light" as masses of water vapor in an area condense from coolness near ponds, rivers, etc or down in ravines and valleys. It burns off quickly though, so you have to anticipate it and get there early. Look for things extending above the mist, or visible through openings in it, as it swirls about.
# 4 - Fog: Can make all the difference between ordinary and exceptional images. In foggy scenes include foreground objects for silhouettes and interesting contrasts. Just remember that you generally have to increase your exposure by 1/2 to 3/4 of a stop to avoid a picture that's too dark.
Self-Assignments For Above Photography Tips: Choose the projects that interest you most. Follow the photography tips conscientiously. Re-shoot when you aren't satisfied. Do it til you are satisfied. It'll take all your patience and passion. Your skills and eye will improve with the practice. Shoot especially in early and late light. Use a tripod as much as possible. Edit your results relentlessly. Pin small samples on the wall for a few days to study before making final prints for wall art.
Photography Tip # 1 - Condensation: If you have a container of yogurt with a clear plastic lid in your fridge, just sit the lid on top of the container and don't click it down tight. When water drops from condensation form a pattern of circles on the underside of the lid, gently take the lid and place it down on a table or counter top, without disturbing the drops. Shoot straight down on it and make a close-up of a part of the pattern.
Photography Tip # 2 - Hail: When a thunderstorm is forecasted keep an eye out for hail. Find a safe place to shoot from and shoot it as it falls and bounces off things, using both fast and slow shutter speeds.
Photography Tip # 3 - Mist: When the weather forecast predicts ground fog, have a rural scenic spot in mind to go to that has higher and lower sections within it and shoot it just as the sun comes up.
Photography Tip # 4 - Fog: When the weather forecast predicts fog, have a scenic spot in mind to go to and shoot a portion of it that has things that recede from you into the fog, with some leaves hanging down into the top of the frame as silhouettes.
In the next article of this set we'll consider photography tips about water's cold season photo op's for remedying the photo doldrums, when it can turn crystalline or even solid!
John Maxymuik is the author of "Photography Tips For the Photo Doldrums" a set of 6-articles providing tips to break the grip of the photo doldrums. To see examples of fine art photography that made use of the "ideal photo subject"- water, go to my website at: http://ambienceimages.net
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