The plane has landed and you find yourself in a new place – a new city, a new country or maybe even a new continent. Your camera is charged and ready, lenses are wiped clean and you set off in search of amazing images. How to get inspired and to make the most out of a destination you have never visited before? Here are 4 tips on finding your own photographic Muse in a new city.
The image we selected for our first online critique was taken by Lou Alegre at the Museum of Lourdes in the south of France in May 2014. It is a landscape, showing a church bell on the left and another church in the distance, surrounded by greenery with a touch of yellow on the right. The light is even and light clouds add texture to the blue sky. The arch with a bell in the foreground adds depth to the scene, inviting us to explore further the hills and the church, as well as the architectural detail typical to the region...
Photo tours are increasingly popular activities for travellers looking for new ways to discover the places they visit. These may vary from city walks of a few hours through to expeditions of several days or even weeks to the most faraway corners of the planet. They may be tailored to anyone from complete beginners to advanced professionals. While we offer photo tours and workshops in Paris and London, we have also been on the other side and understand it can be difficult to pick one that suits your needs. Here's what we learned along with some points to keep in mind to help you choose a photography activity that you'll love...
Busy cities, whether it’s Paris or London, Bangkok or New Delhi, provide lots of opportunities to create dynamic images. However, how can a photographer show fast motion in a still image? Here is where a photographic technique called panning comes into play. In essence, panning means moving the camera with the main subject while the shutter is open. This creates the sense of movement in the image with a blurred background and a relatively sharp subject. With practice you’ll be able to photograph moving cars, cyclists, running horses or anything moving! Try these six easy steps to create great panning images...
Are you a fair weather photographer only? Many might frown at the idea of taking their camera out when the weather turns wet. In a recent article we offered various solutions for protecting your camera from the rain. Now that you know how to keep your equipment dry, it is a good time to talk about some creative possibilities that the rain offers for your photography. Here are 5 ideas on how to use rainy days to your advantage and produce some great images.
Rainy days may look grey at a first glance, but that doesn’t mean they are not suitable for taking some great photos! The light is usually even and the rain saturates colours. Shooting in the rain can be lots of fun and you definitely create images you would otherwise completely miss. The trick is to keep your gear well protected so here’s are some solutions to keep your camera dry even when the weather is wet...
Taking good care of your camera is as important as taking care of your health, especially while traveling. The trouble is that when you are away from home, you might not be sure where to go for reliable camera stores and services. Our Photo Tour participants often ask us about servicing their gear, where to have their camera sensor cleaned or where to buy a fully charged battery. If you find yourself looking for such services, here are some useful addresses in Paris.
Photography is a great means of storytelling. Just as a writer speaks using words, a photographer speaks through his images. A photographic story can be anything from a complex social narrative to a simple emotion. It does not need to be complicated, but has to send a message and invite curiosity. As Steve McCurry puts it, a powerful image is the confluence of several key elements, such as composition, design and emotion, in a pristine moment that reveals a deeper truth.
Here are 7 steps to help you transform your images into good photographic stories...
Once you get comfortable with aperture, shutter speed and ISO and basic composition rules, you may want to venture into more experimenting, for example by using filters in your photography. There is a big choice of photographic filters for sale: neutral density filters, polarizing and gradual filters, cooling and warming filters, among many others. However, there is no need to rush to the store right away, as there are plenty of natural filters around us that can be creatively used to enhance your photos...
Paris is not only the City of Light, but also the city of discoveries. Its busy streets are full of life day and night, which makes it a perfect place for street photography. However, in order to get some really compelling photos, spiced up with a bit of magic, one needs some luck and that is where serendipity can help. Known as one of the most difficult English words to translate, serendipity means the accident of finding something good without looking for it. As one might guess, it is essential for urban photography...
With the Holiday Season coming up, you might be hoping for a brand new camera under the tree. I hope you are on Santa's list and that he is generous with you! Now, have you considered what to do with your 'old' camera? Maybe you are a collector and you'll want to keep your good old buddy that accompanied you everywhere and made you happy when you caught 'The Moment'. Even if you are not sentimental, it is still easy to end up with a collection of disused and dusty digital boxes that don't get to see the light of day any longer. If some camera models and well known brands retain some of their value, most digital cameras quickly lose their worth in this ever changing world and quest for new technology. Here are some ideas about what to do with your 'old' camera after Christmas...
Let's face it. Buying a new camera is a daunting task when there are so many new models out there all the time. With this ever changing industry, it can be tempting to chase the latest and greatest. But realistically, it is impossible... and honestly, not the right approach either. Add all the jargon and camera babble that comes with it, and the result is an utterly confused budding photographer. So, what should you consider when you want to buy a new camera?