Rudy Lopez Photography » Photo Tips

Photography Tips: Composition

Rudy Lopez — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 21:36:02 +0000

Having good gear and finding great locations are critical elements in creating great photos. But without good composition, crossing the line from snapshot to art is impossible. Composition is the first place in the photography process where creativity comes in to play. There are guidelines to composing photos, it’s a good idea to read about the rule of thirds.

Ok, once you understand the rule of thirds, try to forget it. The idea is not to have a strict structure for your compositions, but an understanding that placement interesting elements in certain areas makes better photos.

In the example photo above, I have composed the image to be centered on the width of the room. The four corners happen to converge where the rule of thirds suggests, but there are also interesting elements within each of the sections. The photo at the head of the post does not follow the conventions described in the rule of thirds. The scene is interesting on its own, the key is capturing a natural HDR.

There are many different, interesting ways to compose this image. But composition needs to be at the front of your mind while you are shooting or you may not get the results you want. Some people find it difficult to separate their minds from their surroundings while on location. A trick I use is to imagine (when I look thru the eye piece) that I am looking straight down at a table with a photo on it, a photo that someone else took. Then I adjust the photo until it looks like something I would see framed in a museum. This is how I separate myself from the scene, to step outside myself to see it for what it is.

If you can find a way to separate yourself from the scene, you will be much more creative in your composition. Thereby, more likely to “move” people with your photos.

Tutorial: Creating a fake tilt shift photograph with Photoshop

Rudy Lopez — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 02:59:54 +0000

Ok, so it’s not true tilt shift photography. But, with the right photograph and a deft touch with Photoshop, you will be able to create a great photo with the same effect. The idea is make a true to life scene look as if it were done as a miniature model. View the slideshow below to see examples of simulated tilt shift photography. A screencast tutorial will guide you through the steps.

The Photo

The photos that make the most effective tilt shift photos are ones that have a wide depth of field (everything in the frame is in focus) with a downward perspective. Photos with a lateral perspective or that have a narrow depth of field are not good candidates for the tilt shift process.

The Process

The process to convert a standard photo into a convincing tilt shift is very simple. It takes a bit of practice to apply the mask in a way that is effective, but it is certainly within the grasp of anyone with a little bit of patience. Follow the short screencast below to see the step by step process.

Tutorial: Tilt Shift via Photoshop from rudy lopez on Vimeo.

HDR Tutorial – Part 2 of 2. Workflow and Editing

Rudy Lopez — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 06:06:07 +0000

This is the final part of the HDR tutorial, covering the processing and data management aspects of creating an HDR image. The process is better understood when presented in a way that follows a standard workflow, so I have created a few screencasts that will follow my regular process.

Screencast 1: Generating an HDR image

HDR tutorial 1 of 3: Generating an HDR from rudy lopez on Vimeo.

Screencast 2: Processing and Data Management

HDR Tutorial 2 of 3: Processing and Data Management from rudy lopez on Vimeo.

Screencast 3: Editing and Export

HDR Tutorial 3 of 3: Editing and Exporting from rudy lopez on Vimeo.

It is important to remember that the key to success is practice, practice, practice. The more you shoot, the better you will like your results. If you have any questions, please comment and I will respond quickly.

Photo Tip: Producing a natural looking HDR image

Rudy Lopez — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:11:13 +0000

The image above is a full, five-frame HDR image, processed via PhotomatixPro. My goal was to capture subtle detail from inside the room. It is important to only grab as much tonal depth as you need when creating an HDR. The non HDR version of the above photograph was not able to show any detail inside the room. But a full, 4stop blast around the meter setting will provide too much data on the light end making the texture on the foreground wall look very unnatural. I prefer that the photo not look like an HDR, but more like a natural expression of the subtleties of a scene. It is very easy to over do it with an HDR (take it from me), I have discovered that a light touch yields much better results.

So, set your bracket carefully, don’t get more detail than you need.

Photo tips: Get the right gear for your shutterbug

Rudy Lopez — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 15:48:52 +0000

It’s the time of year again where the question I get asked the most is “What type of (insert gadget name here) should I get for my (insert loved one here)? “

Here is a quick guide to products that I recommend this holiday season.

Camera: Nikon D90

I have used Nikon camera bodies exclusively for my entire career. This camera provides unmatched image quality at a very reasonable price. The camera body I use is the D300, probably costs more than a advanced amateur is looking to spend. I recommend the D90 for advanced amateur or semipro users.

Camera Bag: Tamarac Explorer

I have tried many camera bags over the years, Tamarac is easily my favorite. I have used my Tamarac bags all over the world without any problems.

Lenses: Sigma AF 18-200mm

This is a terrific all purpose lens. It has a useful focal range, wide enough for landscapes and enough zoom to get close to the action at sporting events. Sigma is a high quality product usually priced lower than many similar lenses.

Hand Held GPS: Garmin eTrex Vista

Having a dependable hand held GPS is not only a good for geotagging images with your new camera, it’s also a great way to explore new areas safely without the worry of getting lost. My Garmin eTrex GPS unit is an indispensable part of my rig.

Data Management Software: Adobe Lightroom and Apple Aperture

Managing the huge amount of data generated by your new DSLR is a very important. These two programs are great for keeping track of all your images. Both programs use a library based management system, keeping track of your original RAW files as well as your edits.

If you have any questions or would like recommendations on products not listed here, please feel free to comment. I will respond in a timely manner. Happy shopping!

Photo tips: Preparing for a day trip

Rudy Lopez — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:23:33 +0000

Jumping in the car and hitting the road for a day of exploring is a great way to expand your horizons and improve your photography skills. But before you snap a single photo, you will need to cover a few bases. Listed below are several tips designed to help you avoid making mistakes that can ruin a day of shooting.

Equipment checklist:

Make sure all chargeable devices are charged and in the camera bag: Camera batteries, GPS, phone, flash units, etc.. Also make sure to bring extra disposable batteries for the devices that need them.
Make sure all devices are reset and ready for new input. Format the memory cards, clear GPS tracks, etc.
Make preliminary adjustments to your camera. Set ISO, fstop, and speed to generally match the days lighting conditions.
Make sure all devices are properly synchronized. Accurate geotagging requires the camera’s clock and the GPS to be synced.
Make sure everything listed above is in the camera bag.
Also included in your bag: Reflective vest, pepper spray, pocket knife, bug spray, small flashlight, and sunscreen.

Vehicle Checklist:

A paper map or atlas. The GPS is very handy for recording tracks and providing real time telemetry, but paper map is extremely handy for quick reference.
Have a jacket, hat, food, and water on hand in case you get stuck or stranded.
Make sure the vehicle is operating safely. Check tire pressure, hazard lights, washer fluid, fuel level.
Stow your gear in a way that will be easy to access from the curb side of the vehicle.
Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you intend to be back.

Shooting strategy:

Have a general idea of the area you want to cover, decide where you would like to be during the best light.
Drive with the sun behind you. If you are shooting in the morning, drive west and north. If you are shooting in the evening, drive east and north. Driving due south will provide good lighting, except during mid day when the sun is in the middle of the sky. You will undoubtedly come across scenes and locations that will look better at a different time of day. This is one of the benefits of geotagging each image.
Check the weather. A dreary day doesn’t necessarily mean bad photos, cloudy days make great high contrast black and white photos. If you live in an area where storm chasing is an option, get a sense of the intensity and direction of the storms. Plan your route so that you are following the storms, not being chased by them. You will have more time to shoot as the storms move away from you. It also helps to reduce the chances of being swept over the rainbow.
Some of the best photo opportunities come from taking roads that run along or near an interstate. Before interstates, these roads were the primary roads for the locals as well as people traveling through. Many businesses were forced to close as the traffic sped by, but the buildings still stand.
Follow local speed limits carefully. I try to remember that I am the outsider in small towns I visit, a little courtesy goes a long way.
Obey all “No Trespassing” signs.
Use caution when entering abandoned structures. I do not go into structures when I am shooting alone, but that’s because I am chicken.

A full day of shooting could cover 500-700 miles and around 12 hours, so eat your Wheaties. You may have a cluster of photo opportunities all at once followed by three hours of nothing. There will be plenty of time to practice being patient.

There are unlimited photographic opportunities on the roads that crisscross our country, leave the interstate and go exploring.