Blog posts of '2021' 'May'

Accessories are something which are as important as the camera itself and this is where most photographers take wrong decisions. Here are few camera accessories you must have a look at and make them a part of your Gear.

• Camera Bags

Well if this made you laugh at as an option, think again. We know that bags are something most people buy when they buy a camera and cannot actually be termed an accessory. Well, think again. Did you do as much research in buying a good camera bag as you do for buying your most expensive camera? If yes, then move to point no. 2 otherwise read on.

Camera bags if not more, are as important as the camera itself because it protects your all expensive camera. A good camera bag must not only carry your camera but should be light weight, preferably water proof, should have sufficient padding to withstand the rough terrain and should not hurt your spine with all the gear getting packed in.

• Memory Card Holders/Wallets

You know what is the, most precious thing after your shoot is over and if you lose it, you are devastated? No prizes for guessing; it’s your image data. All those images that you clicked are lying in that small fragile, delicate memory card and it must be protected by keeping them safe.

The best in class are hardcover cases which are water and shock resistant. Do not compromise on quality because of price. Always compare the price with that of your priceless image data.

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• Cleaning Kits

Dust is the biggest enemy of camera and lenses. And most photographers remember the need of proper cleaning kits when faced with dusty conditions and they are mostly found cleaning with their T-Shirts, handkerchiefs etc. These cloths are not meant to clean your expensive camera gear because they can end up adding scratch marks on your lens. You must have a couple of micro fiber cloths and a blower.

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• Memory Card Reader

This is another piece of accessory most photographers do not pay attention to and end up buying something very cheap compromising with the quality. Cheap card readers have the potential to damage your card or data or both. Look for a fast and reliable card reader, which help you transfer your images as fast as possible to your hard drive.

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• Camera Straps

While camera straps that come with camera are a good starting point, but they can be very tacky. They are difficult to fix and even remove, they are mostly non stretchable almost becoming a pain in the neck. These replacement camera straps should be stretchable, easy to fix and remove, should be switchable from neck to shoulder with a single action. If you are not the neck or shoulder strap types, look for a wrist strap.

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• Variable ND Filters

Most of us shoot during broad daylight and shoot with that all expensive fast prime lens. In strong light we are unable to make best use of wide open aperture because of very strong light. Circular Variable ND Filters help you cut light and do your shoot with wide open apertures as well. Another word of caution here is that do not compromise with quality, because cheap Variable ND Filters have the tendency to get X band in image ruining your final image almost permanently.

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• Extra Batteries

And you though we how could we forget this all important accessory. Battery juice is everything specially in this Mirrorless Age. Depending on your usage, you must have at least 3-4 extra batteries, just in case. Needless to say that always go for original batteries because they are reliable and last longer.

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• Tripod/Monopod

Well this is must have accessory with every photographer. If you are into landscape photography, look for a good carbon fiber tripod with a ball head. But if you are into events and wedding etc opt for a good monopod to help you manage those slow shutter speeds and get tack sharp images.

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All the artists out there find inspiration from the tiniest of moments taking place around them and try to incorporate them in their piece. This quarantine however, has got everyone stuck at home which might produce a creative block due to stress and boredom.

Photographers especially, are baffled because of their inability to go out and explore the world and their own creativity and are stuck within the four walls of their homes without much to do with their camera. However, photography is an art, and all it requires to come up with a beautiful picture is, out of the box thinking, skills and some patience.

In this article, you will find some of the ways in which you can make your very home your inspiration to create wonderful images.

Selfies have become common during the past few years and are gaining more popularity since the onset of the pandemic. Self portraits are one of the most popular and creative ways of doing photography while at home.

One can explore with different moods, tones, lights and even looks. With a lot of time on your hands you can change your looks by exploring with your hair or beard to give diverse moods to the portraits. One can also explore with the natural light from the windows or lamp shades or some other props to add more elements to the image.

You can also go for capturing the various patterns seen on the bed covers that one sees after waking up or even the rays of light peeking from a window early morning or at the time of sunset. These kinds of shoots do not require any special lighting or setups but are candid and just need some creativity.

Sky photography is another something gaining more and more popularity among business as well as professionals. Anything from blue sky to the colourful sunset sky to dull grey sky has the potential of being converted into a beautiful image. Along with that, one can also experiment with flying birds or some unique cloud shapes that on e might come across. 

Reflections are something that are found everywhere from the bathroom mirror to a raindrop on a leaf to a road drenched with rain water. Capturing reflections can give some of the most aesthetic images and incorporating some colorful lights or other props can even add a pop of color to the image.

You may not be fond of wildlife photography but with so much time on your hands during the quarantine, one can always try something new without even getting out of house. If you come across some beautiful birds, insects or squirrels around your house, you are lucky enough and all you have to do is to be a little patient and wait for the right moment to get a good shot.

However, if you come across any, you can always try to hang a bird feeder near your window to attract some beautiful species.

The list can go on and on and so can your imagination. So explore your creativity, find an inspiration, pickup your camera and get going.

The world is enveloped with the deadly Corona virus and none of us can go out which makes all the photographers out there, stressed about how to make the best use of their time as well as their cameras. It’s certainly not an easy job but we have so much time at our hands, that we can endlessly explore our creativity, try new things every day and re-discover ourselves.

In this article, you will find some simple yet creative tips on how to use your camera to the fullest to create some wonderful images while at home.

Having kids or pets at your home, as a photographer can be the biggest boon as they are full of enthusiasm, expressions and innocence and can give some of the most playful and joyous pictures. Give your kids some toys to play as props and click some great candid or capture that beautiful fur-buddy while it’s in deep sleep.

Grab anything at your home ranging from utensils to vegetables to kitchen essentials and click them up close to get some good shots. The most interesting thing about macro photography is that you can take anything, add some creativity to it and create a masterpiece. For instance, you can click the strings of your guitar up close or even the patterns in the iris of someone’s eye to get a beautiful image.

While it’s raining cats and dogs outside, you can make the most of that situation by picking up your camera and getting some good pictures. You can click anything from that misty window or the reflection in the drop on a leaf of your plant or even that after-rain sky with a rainbow if you’re lucky!

Are you a photographer who is learning to cook or bake this quarantine? Flaunt both your skills by clicking some vibrant and delicious pictures of your food. Use some props from around your house and try to make a composition out of it to make it look more aesthetic. Use natural light from the window or the light from your lampshade as per your convenience and create some beautiful images.

If we look around and are observant enough, we are sure to find some interesting patterns made by shadows on the walls or the floor around our house. These could be from the leaves of your favourite plant or a window pane during sunset; find it and capture it to get an aesthetic image.

If you are that person who loves to read with a cup of coffee, you might as well get inspired from it and click some creative images using the same. Get a macro shot of your favourite book or create a backdrop using books to click a portrait or use a cup of coffee, some stationery items or a pair of spectacles as props to get some really wonderful images. A little play with light for changing the mood of the picture might also help.

The creative ideas can go on without an end to them and the same is the case with your imagination. Use this time wisely to explore yourself and your interests and push your creative boundaries to get some of the most marvellous images, that too while at home.

Quarantine because of Covid19 may have locked us down physically but it certainly cannot and must not lock down our soul. Using the wings of creativity, we must fly. All we need is our camera, little imagination and the will to do something different.

Many photographers used their creativity to beat the stress and boredom. Options are aplenty – home portraits, family portraits, still life, backyard wildlife, food and even exploring closed shops and streets.

Lets look at some ideas which you can pursue while still in lockdown.

Creative Self Portraits

Probably selfie is the most popular portrait photography and during quarantine, it has become all the more popular and people are unleashing their creativity through these self-portraits. Getting creative and working on a concept is name of the game. Start with a weekly project and take one self-portrait every day and make sure each portrait has a different feel to it.

You may focus on changed looks like over-grown hair, beard, nails etc. You may even use window light creatively to play with light and shadows. Using table lamp, bedsheets as props will also help you in getting creative self-portraits. Don’t get hung on how you look, just click the way you look during different times of the day.

Beds, Bed-Sheets and Body Parts

Beds are one subject we are spending most time on. I see some interesting patterns of wrinkled bed-sheets after you get up or leave the bed after getting up early in the morning. It may even be a hand coming out of a sheet, or just an eye glass. You may even see if there is some ray of light creating a mood in the room or on bed early in the morning. They do not take anything extra, not even special arrangements but just the desire to see some creativity and click.

Coffee and Beyond

First I thought of using the title for this point as food photography but the title itself looks so professional it may scare many people away. If the idea of doing food photography at home scares you, don’t worry, just forget that you are trying to do food photography. Remember those days when posting the image of food that was served on a restaurant table, that you used to post first thing on social media before digging your fingers in it. Try doing that now and keep experimenting with the composition and items you use for the same.

Use props in the house to get creative with composition and use window light as main light and a thermocol sheet to diffuse shadows.

Rainfall

Its monsoon time. While its raining cats and dogs why are you sitting duck. Rain offers many creative opportunities to make images. That puddle of water, a simple reflection in the puddle, blurred view from that misty window-pane or just the droplets on glass window; they all form great creative images.

Shadow Play

One thing that Covid19 could not do is to put light in quarantine and am sure you know that shadow is a conjoined twin of light. If you see light, look for shadows and create some stunners just using the play of shadows.

Backyard Wildlife

Do you hear the musical chirping of birds early in the morning? Well no matter where you live, chances are high you share space with variety of species of birds, insects, and butterflies. You may not be a wildlife photographer but quarantine has given you another opportunity to tray your hands at something new and that too without going out of your home. Spend a day trying to be observant of their presence. And very soon you will have a list of birds, insects, squirrels or even lizards to photograph.

To make things easier for yourself, hang a bird feeder near your window and soon you will start having fun. 

Macro Photography

Macro is another subject which can throw up interesting results. Focus on small things at home and/or garden and create some stunning macros. There are flowers, textures, vegetables or even spoons and forks which can make interesting subjects for macro. Even if you do not have macro lens, try shooting subjects from up close and see the impact.

Sky

How could we forget Sky? Blue Sky, overcast sky, dull grey sky, clouds in the sky, birds in the sky. Opportunities are vast as the sky itself. Look out of your window and start looking for unique cloud patterns, birds in flight and even aero plane. 

Reflections

Reflections are simple yet very evocative. I love walking on streets and looking for puddle of water where I can click reflections. If you don’t get that opportunity look for a glass reflection within your house itself. Experimenting with these will give you immense satisfaction along with some creative images.

You know we can just go on and on with this list. There is no end to creative ideas provided you put that thinking cap on. All you need is your camera and some inspiration to create. How about sharing some of your images created during quarantine in comments below.