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Panning vs. Long Exposure: Photography Tips

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Photography can capture a speeding train or the movement of a crowd. And the technique used all depends on the final goal of the image. There are two primary means for capturing motion in photography. One delivers a clear subject with a blurred background, and the other delivers a blurred subject with a clear background. Here are the basics on Panning and Long Exposure.

 

Panning

Panning

Panning is an especially attractive option if you want to emphasize the speed of your subject and de–emphasize the background. Panning is achieved by selecting a slow shutter speed and moving your lens to follow your subject.

 

How to Do It

 

  • Use the burst or high continuous shooting mode to take several images in short succession while holding down the shutter button.
  • Begin with 1/30th of a second shutter speed. Then, depending on the speed of your subject and the results you desire, adjust your shutter speed slower or faster, as needed.
  • Practice following the subject as it passes you. It takes a bit of calculation and a few goes at it to develop a rhythm, but these are skills easily mastered with practice.
  • Follow through is the key. To ensure that you capture the subject, shoot and follow it with your lens even after you stop making imges.
  • Panning won’t work in every situation, but with patience you’ll get the shot you are looking for. As is often the case in photography, patience pays off!

 

Long Exposure

Long Exposure

Long exposure is another way of saying “slow shutter speed.” Long exposure photographs also capture motion. Unlike panning, the camera is held steady. They give you a blurred subject with the background in focus. The background is in focus because stationary elements will remain the same while moving elements will smear themselves across the field of vision like a paintbrush.

 

How to Do It

 

Great long exposure photographs are all about trial and error. As electrons are free, it’s inexpensive to experiment with digital cameras. Adjust your shutter speed to find the best fit!

 

  • Try a 1/100th of a second shutter speed.
  • Try a 1/40th of a second shutter speed.
  • Try 2.5 second shutter speed.
  • Try a 5 second shutter speed.
  • Compare the results!

 

You’ll notice that some subjects, like running water, will look similar at different shutter speeds. Other subjects, like fireworks, will end up looking completely different based on the exposure time. And as seen here, it is useful with people as well to create rather dramatic effects.

Take Your Landscape Photography to the Next Level 

Want to learn more photography tricks from an expert? Professional landscape photographer Jim Steinberg offers numerous workshops and photo tours to help people of all skill levels. His next workshop will be held at Rocky Mountain National Park. Head to our homepage to reserve your slot!

Business Tips

A minimally invasive way to clean your camera’s DSLR Sensor

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If you are serious about photography, you also have to be serious about your gear. Digital cameras are expensive. Like a car or any other good tool, cameras require proper maintenance if you are planning on getting your money’s worth.

Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras use a mirror behind the lens that directs light toward the viewfinder. The sensor, like film in traditional cameras, captures the light to form an image. As time goes on, and your list of fascinating photography destinations grows, dust and dirt will inevitably find their way onto your DSLR sensor, producing glare, blurriness and lovely little black dots, instead of razor-sharp images.

Why clean your DSLR Sensor?

 

The inside of your camera has an electrostatic charge. That means that every time you take one lens off to put another on, you are allowing particles of dust and dirt to rush in while there is no lens on the camera. (You can minimize this by holding the camera opening toward the ground so the only material is that drawn in is by static.) Having dust in other areas of your camera’s interior is a problem, but it normally won’t affect the quality of your pictures. But when you have a dirty sensor, you have dirty pictures. The only option, then, is to clean the sensor.

Today most DSLR cameras beng sold come with a built in sensor-cleaning tool. Having one in your camera as another tool in your camera’s “toolbox” will save you time, money and headaches in the long run. I have my camera set to clean every time I turn it on and off, and when in the field, I do so often to make sure the sensor is being regularly cleaned. Nevertheless, this does not prevent dust from attracting itself to my sensor.

So, once a year I send my DSLRs off to the camera spa for a full sensor-cleaning, which also includes other servicing such as dry lubes, where appropriate, and other clean-up, as required. It’s a well spent $80 and they come home happy and clean.

That doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t clean your own sensor, for though the DSLR sensor is delicate, it is not so delicate that you can’t apply some elbow grease.

And here are the tools you should use.

  • Take a picture of a blank white surface. This will show where your sensor is dirty. Use it as a reference.
  • Charge your battery completely
  • Clean the camera exterior
  • Clean your workspace
  • Check if your camera has a “Dust Removal” or “Dust Reduction” setting. If it does, your job is much easier!
  • Lock the mirror and get it out of the way. Look under your camera’s settings for something like “Mirror lock” or “Sensor cleaning”. This will give you instructions to correctly lock your mirror.
  • Remove the lens.
  • Blow dust off sensor with an air blaster. Use a “manual” air blaster, like the one here. DO NOT use an air blaster that is under pressure, as it will have chemicals in it that can damage your sensor and your camera’s interior ($300+ for this repair)
  • Reassemble the camera.
  • Take a picture of the same white surface and compare.

 

If that doesn’t work…

If this ‘no contact’ method for cleaning your DSLR sensor doesn’t work, you may have to send it in to get cleaned. There are other methods for cleaning the lens manually, but they run a greater risk of getting your camera damaged. Remembering our car metaphor – If you were driving a BMW, you wouldn’t change the oil yourself, so if your shooting with the equivalent keep this in mind.

 

Learn Landscape Photography with Steinberg Photography

Looking to master the craft of landscape photography or just get into the great outdoors for a wild adventure? Jim and Lori Steinberg of Steinberg Photography are here to help. We run photo tours to exotic locations and conduct photography workshops for photographers of all skill levels. Follow us on Facebook to see where we’ve been and check out our schedule to see where we’re headed next!

 

Landscape, Photos, Travel

Our Favorite American West Photography Locations

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Landscapes of the United States are incredibly diverse. In the American West photography locations abound and they are busy year-round with tourists drawn to the unique ecosystems, national parks, and stunning geographic formations. Here are a few of our favorites on the West Coast:

The Best American West Photography Locations

Oregon Coast, Oregon

A haystack adjacent to Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, OR provides a lovely reflection at sunset.
A haystack adjacent to Haystack Rock at Cannon Beach, OR provides a lovely reflection at sunset.

The Oregon Coast Trail is a great way to holistically experience the Oregon coast. It stretches from northern Oregon and the mouth of the Columbia River 380 miles down to the California border. The coast boasts multiple state parks, the famous shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park, the Devil’s Churn, incredible rock formations, expansive sand dunes and amazingly fresh seafood to please your palate and fill your stomach.

Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Late afternoon light engulfs the Columbia River Gorge and illuminates the trees and cliffs on which Vista House is situated onthe right.
Late afternoon light engulfs the Columbia River Gorge and illuminates the trees and cliffs on which Vista House is situated on the right.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic area spans nearly 3,000 acres across Washington and Oregon. It runs approximately 80 miles long carving deeply through the picturesque mountains of the Cascade Range. The Gorge runs nearly 4000 feet deep at some points, with many side canyons and numerous waterfalls crashing across the eroded basalt formations in some areas, especially closer to Portland.  The most famous of these is Multnomah Falls, the largest waterfall in Oregon at 620 feet.

Big Sur, California

Sunset flames along the California coast north of Big Sur at the Andrew Molera State Park in Monterey County. The mixed skies include cirrostratus fibratus, stratocumulus undulatus & altocumulus duplicatus clouds.
Sunset flames along the California coast north of Big Sur at the Andrew Molera State Park in Monterey County. The mixed skies include cirrostratus fibratus, stratocumulus undulatus & altocumulus duplicatus clouds.

Big Sur is a major draw for people interested in American West photography locations. It is home to the southern limit of Redwood trees, and features a long rocky ridge that abruptly drops off into the Pacific. Dramatic clouds due to precipitation and picturesque sea stacks make it a must-see location. Be aware that due to heavy rains and resulting landslides this past winter that the main road, Cal Hwy 1, is still not yet open and may not be for several more months.

Redwood National and State Parks, California

The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail winds an easy mile and a half through upland stands of old-growth redwood, Douglas fir, and tanoak. It ends at the site where Lady Bird Johnson dedicated Redwood National Park in 1968.
The Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail winds an easy mile and a half through upland stands of
old-growth redwood, Douglas fir, and tanoak. It ends at the site where Lady Bird Johnson dedicated Redwood National Park in 1968.

The Redwood trees are surreal in their size and beauty. Redwood National and State Parks during the summertime are particularly mesmerizing as the fog builds up and billows across the terrain. The trees, fog, and streams make for magical landscape photos.

Olympic National Park, Washington

The sun rises over Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mountains with Puget Sound under a layer of marine fog. From Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, Washington.
The sun rises over Mt. Baker and the Cascade Mountains with Puget Sound under a layer of marine fog. From Hurricane Ridge Road, Olympic National Park, Washington.

The famous Olympic National Park is an ideal shooting location for landscape photographers as it encompasses some of the most diverse terrain in the National Park system. The park includes beaches, meadows, mountains, and part of the Pacific coastline.  It also includes the only temperate rain forests in the United States. A visit here from May-September will reward the photographer with unlimited opportunities.

Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

Climbers relax on a slack line over the Paradise River after a day of mountaineering on Mount Rainier and enjoy the beauty and cooling mist of a waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.
Climbers relax on a slack line over the Paradise River after a day of mountaineering on Mount Rainier and enjoy the beauty and cooling mist of a waterfall in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.

Located only 65 miles southeast of Seattle, the 236,381 acres of Mt. Rainier National Park offer a dazzling array of opportunities for the photographer.  With its vast sub-alpine meadows, old growth forests, more than 25 glaciers and extensive network of hiking trails it is impossible not to create wonderful images, unless of course, everything is shrouded in the famous Rainier fog (sometimes, rain, sleet, snow, etc.)

Take Your Landscape Photography to the Next Level

Interested in visiting any of these amazing American West photography locations? Steinberg Photography offers workshops and tours to help photographers improve their skills. These sessions are suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals. Visit our website to learn more!

Business Tips, Uncategorized

Get Your Business Started With This Photography Pricing Guide

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Determining what to charge for your photography services can be bewildering. Here is a brief photography pricing guide to get you started:

 

Publish Prices on Your Website

You don’t have to include every price, but it is a good idea to post some prices to manage your clients’ expectations. If clients are negatively surprised by your prices, they may back out or try to negotiate you down so provide at least some parameters for pricing and uses.

Charge A Full Session Fee Up Front

The last thing you want is for a client to cancel unexpectedly. An important tip in this photography pricing guide is to protect your business against cancellations. If clients are required to pay for the session or at least a non-refundable deposit up front, they will be far less likely to leave you hanging. More and more restaurants are using this technique and find it successful so there should not be a great deal of resistance.  After all, your time is no less precious than your clients’.

 

Price Uniformly

Uniformity in pricing is helpful for both you and your client. If it makes sense, it’s easier for you to keep track of and for your clients to trust you and use your services. Remember the KISS principle and keep your clients happy by keeping it simple.

 

Ensure Informed Consent

It is critical that your clients understand the terms of making a reservation and paying a deposit or prepaid fee. The payments are nonrefundable. Make sure that your clients enter into an agreement knowingly. Some photographers require their clients to sign a contract. But even if you don’t, make sure to provide them with a written explanation of your pricing system.

 

No Friends and Family Discounts

Some photography pricing guides encourage discounts, while others warn against it. We believe that formal friends and family discounts can work against your best interests. You should be fully compensated for your work, though It is fine every once in a while to show your appreciation for your regular or best clients with a small gift..

 

Use Expiration Dates and Watermarks for Online Client Galleries

Some clients will try to snag the previews posted online instead of paying the full price for the prints. To protect your bottom line, be sure to use watermarks with your copyright on your previews and only make them accessible for a limited amount of time

 

Take Your Landscape Photography to the Next Level

Jim Steinberg photography offers workshops and tours to help photographers improve their skills. These sessions are suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals. Visit our website to learn more!

Landscape, Photography Tips

Night Photography: How to Take Stunning Photos at Night

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If you’ve been longing to take stunning photos at night, you’ve come to the right place! Use this guide to get you started.

Equipment Needed

– Camera that shoots in RAW format

  • – Sturdy tripod
  • – Remote shutter release or timer

Set Up Your Tripod

You can’t skimp on a good sturdy tripod. You need it to be stable even in wind and to hold the weight of your camera. As shooting at night requires longer exposures, the camera must remain still for longer than you can hold hold. As a general rule of thumb you can hand hold an exposure for a time as the focal length of your lens, i.e. for a 50mm lens you should be able to hand hold a shot at 1/50 of a second at ISO 100.  If you’re really good you might be able to manage one or more seconds and still get a shot with no movement. But, still not enough for night photography.

Set Your Image Files to RAW

Setting your image files to RAW will take considerably more space on your memory card than the usual .jpeg format, but will capture an image with a great deal more information for you to use ensuring a much higher quality finished image when you come out of the darkroom.

Use the Manual Focus

The auto settings in cameras certainly have come a long way, but they don’t compare to using the manual settings, especially at night when the light is low and auto-focus does not function. Using the tripod gives you the time you need to manually adjust the shutter speed, aperture, and ISO, giving you full control over the shot.

It may take some tweaking to get the hang of it, but once you do, the results are well worth it. Be careful not to return your camera focus to auto as if you do, you will lose all of the settings you adjusted manually.

Become Familiar with Bulb Mode

The longest exposure time possible in many manual modes is about 30 seconds; anything longer than that, and you will need to shoot in bulb mode. This basically means that the shutter stays open as long as you hold it. Of course, you will want to use your remote shutter release, making sure it has a locking feature if you don’t want to have to hold it for the entire time. Depending on what you are shooting and what effect you desire will change the time the hutter should remain open.

Open Up the Aperture

A lower f-stop number equals a wider aperture. Night-time shots need all the light they can get, so set your f-stop as low as you can without compromising sharpness, especially along your edges. Remember that most lenses are at their sharpest in the area of f8, but f4 to f5.6 in most quality lenses will still produce an optimal images.

Use Lowest ISO

Using a really high ISO may create unnecessary noise in your image depending on the quality of your camera. While some high powered cameras are equipped with an ISO capability that can produce relatively quiet images at up to ISO 12,000, it’s best practice to stay as low as you can go. To find the limits of your camera’s ISO levels, take some test shots in low light at different ISO settings. Check the photos to determine at which point you begin to notice unacceptable digital noise and then stick below that.

Slow Shutter Speed

Using a tripod means that you can use longer exposures. Any movement in your pictures, like running water or moving headlights, will benefit from letting the shutter stay open longer. Remember though, if you are shooting images of, say, the Milky Way, that the stars will appear to be moving after 10-15 seconds.

Experiment with Bracket Exposures

This step is where you take a series of photos at different exposure settings (always keeping the same aperture) incrementally getting brighter or darker. The hope, of course, is that one of them will be the perfect one.

(Psst! Don’t miss our recent blog about photographing the Milky Way!)

Learn and Travel with Steinberg Photography

Are you a beginner or professional photographer looking to upgrade your skills or go on an adventure? Join Jim and Lori Steinberg of Steinberg Photography on one of their workshops and tours.

Travel

Traveling with Photography Gear: 3 Pro Tips:

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Whether you’re flying to the other side of the country or the world, it’s critical to be aware of the best way to transport your landscape photography gear. Otherwise, you might end up at your location with equipment that is broken or missing. The good news is that it doesn’t take much to drastically reduce your odds of dealing with a very unwelcome situation. If you put the following tips into place, you should be able to travel safely with your camera bag.

Put Your Landscape Photography Gear in Your Carry-On

The first, and arguably most important, rule of flying with camera equipment is to keep as much of it as possible by your side at all times. Your carry-on bag needs to be dedicated to your most expensive and important pieces. In other words, your camera body and the telephoto lens that cost you thousands of dollars should never be transported in checked luggage. It’s best to use your normal camera bag or a dedicated camera rolling carry-on to ensure that everything is properly padded. Remember to check with your airline to make sure that your camera gear fits the airlines size restrictions.

Purchase Insurance

If you don’t already have insurance for your photography equipment, make sure that you purchase some before you begin traveling with it. Hobbyists can usually add a rider to their homeowner’s or renter’s policy that protects against theft or damage from catastrophic events. Professionals typically need to take out a separate policy. Doing this won’t keep the gear you’re traveling with safe, but it will help keep you from losing your investment if something bad happens. Please note that international travel may require a different level of coverage, and many US insurance companies will not insure equipment in some places such as Africa, so always double check your policy to see what and where you are covered, and not. Having trouble getting international coverage? USAA will cover equipment anywhere in the world. So if you’re a vet or related to one, check out this option.

Avoid Taxes When Returning from Abroad

Believe it or not, you can actually be charged taxes on your own gear when you return to the U.S. from an international destination. There are several ways to stop this from happening, so be sure that you take the necessary precautions. The rules state that any photographer who is traveling with equipment that isn’t at least six months old should bring receipts with them to avoid hassles with U.S. customs and border patrol. You can also fill out Form 4457 or a Carnet before leaving to help establish ownership. It also helps to have a typed list of all your equipment with serial numbers. I carry 2 copies: one with my kit and another with my personal travel documents. This not only will help should your equipment get lost or stolen, but you can then quickly whip it out for any troublesome customs agent.

Photograph the Beauty of the U.S.

Jim Steinberg has a long and proven history of capturing beauty throughout the world. He offers dynamic workshops and photo tours in the U.S. to help people of all skill levels improve their landscape photography. Sign up for the next workshop today on our homepage!

Photos

Three Strange-but-True Flower Photography Tricks

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Floral plants begin to appear in early spring, and this gives you a great opportunity to practice flower photography. Fortunately, many of the most eye-catching flowers showcase their beauty during the summer. This will enable you to take everything you learn during the springtime and apply it to the peak growing season.

Amateur and professional photographers can benefit from taking photographs of flowers, even if they’re not a subject that would typically be of interest. After all, the skills you learn by capturing the best possible floral images can be easily applied to other shoots.

Hooray for a Cloudy Day!

Bright sunny days are what we all wait for in the spring. However, If you want flowers to truly stand out, it’s best to photograph them when they’re not overwhelmed by an excessive amount of sunlight. The bright sunny days we all love are also days of high contrast and do not allow the full spectrum of spring color to shine through. Although you can ameliorate this problem with camera settings, you’re going to get the best results by avoiding the bright spots and shadows that accompany a sunny day.

Ignore the Field – Choose Smaller Subjects

A photo of an entire field of flowers can be beautiful, but it also prevents you from documenting the finer details of your subject. Start your shoot by photographing the entire field, then move in and get a small grouping of flowers, and finally find your close-up specimen. There are two ways to accomplish this; with a telephoto or macro lens.

Each of these options will give you different results, so it’s best to have both tools in your flower photography kit. Additionally, learning how to use these lenses effectively will give your skill set a nice boost.

Depth of Field for Flower Photography

Every photographer needs to have a firm grasp on how to utilize depth of field. Eliminating distractions is important for floral photography, and you’ll also want to make your subject as dynamic as possible. Choosing an extremely shallow depth of field such as f/2.8 provides stunning results that let you direct the viewer’s eye to one specific section of the photograph.

Pro Tip: A macro lens may be the first thing you think of when shooting flowers, but you can actually get an equally visually interesting depth of field by using a telephoto lens.

Improve Your Skills with Steinberg Photography

Award-winning photographer Jim Steinberg offers landscape photography workshops and photo tours! Everyone from novices to professionals are welcome. Spend a few days capturing wildflowers and landscapes with a pro who can teach you how to take your flower photography skills to the next level. Learn more today by visiting our homepage!

Landscape

Tips for Keeping Your Landscape Photography Equipment Safe in the Rain

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Rainstorms can provide a visually stunning addition to a landscape photography outing, but the last thing you want to do is let your gear get wet. The good news is that you can still shoot in inclement weather if you take the proper precautions. Be sure not to take any unnecessary risks; if it’s raining at all, you need to protect your landscape photography equipment and yourself.

Be Aware of Your Gear’s Weather Sealing

One of the major differences between a professional DSLR and one that’s intended for hobbyists is the amount of weather sealing that’s included in the camera body. In other words, cameras that are more expensive are typically less likely to be damaged by exposure to a small amount of rain. However, you should make sure that you are fully aware of your camera body’s limits by checking the user’s manual.

Buy a Rain Cover for Your Landscape Photography Equipment Bag

Putting your landscape photography equipment in a camera bag before heading outside isn’t always enough to keep everything dry. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to invest in a rain cover. Simply place the cover over your bag whenever it’s raining. It’s also wise to utilize a rain cover when inclement weather is in the forecast. This can help you avoid damage from a sudden rainstorm.  An alternative to a rain cover, and one that I uses, is a 30 gallon heavy duty trash bag (Kirkland is my favorite). Additionally, these are quite good for also spreading on the ground when it is wet or muddy to keep yourself drier and cleaner.

Use a Rain Jacket for Shooting

Are you planning to take photos outside when it’s raining or snowing heavily? Put the camera body and lens into a rain jacket to keep it safe. This is highly advisable even for professional DSLRs that have extensive weather sealing. There are several types of rain jackets to choose from, including some for budget photographers. Most people prefer shooting with a rain jacket that includes a sleeve for their right hand.

A Lens Hood Protects Your Lens

Your camera body can probably withstand a light rainstorm, but your lens is another story. If you want to be able to keep shooting, you’ll need to put a lens hood on to help keep rain drops away from the lens and the front of your camera body. Be sure you choose a solid lens hood instead of one with a flower petal shape in order to receive the best possible results. Also, be sure to put the lens cap on between shots to keep moisture from getting on the lens.

Take Your Landscape Photography to the Next Level

Professional landscape photographer Jim Steinberg offers numerous workshops and photo tours to help people of all skill levels. His next workshop will be held at Rocky Mountain National Park. Head to our homepage to reserve your slot!

Business Tips

Create a Professional Photography Studio at Home for Under $1200

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Creating a professional photography studio at home is entirely possible, and we want to help you do it for under $1200.

What You Will Need at Home

  • Space

You need to have enough space to fit all of your equipment and still be able to work and maneuver around comfortably. Floor space at least 10’ wide and 15’ long will do it.

  • Hard Surfaced Floor

You’ll want the floor to be a hard surface. It’s much easier to work with.

Dark

You’ll want to be somewhere that you can control the light, either with curtains, tape or by waiting until after the sun sets to shoot.

Equipment You Will Need for Your Background

Savage Seamless Colored Backdrop Paper  ($29.99 to $99.99 per color)

Control the color of your backdrop with easy-to-use and switch out colored backdrop paper. Having a few different color options makes it easy for you to switch things up. You’ll want to have black and white for sure but having some fun colors won’t hurt.

Photo/Video Backdrop with Stand and Clamps ($70)

You need a framework to hold up all of those backdrops. This one comes with two clamps, but you might want to get some extras just in case.

Extra Clamps ($8)

An extra pack of clamps will come in handy. You can use them to control how much of your backdrop is unrolled, which helps preserve the life of your backdrops.

Sand Bags ($15)

These will also help preserve the life of your backdrops by holding them down without using tape.

Equipment You Will Need to Light Your Subjects

Digibee 800 Black Front-Facing Main Strobe Light ($320)

Considered by some, the “most underrated flash unit on the market,” this is a small portable studio light that will be the main light you use to illuminate your subject from the front.

Fotodiox Pro Octagon Softbox 48″ with Speedring($50)

This front light diffuser will diffuse the light cast by the front light, avoiding harsh contrasts.

13′ Air-Cushioned Light Stand for Digibee 800 Black ($100)

A light stand will hold the front-facing light and modifier at the height needed.

Speedlight – Secondary Back-Facing Light ($180)

This unit will light your subject from behind or from the side. It gives you more control of color, depth, space, and light, which allows you to make your subject pop out from the backdrop.

Speedlight – Softbox Diffuser ($26)

Diffuse the backlight against your subject with this portable and collapsible softbox.

Speedlight – Holder for Stand ($20)

You will need this piece to securely attach the speedlight to the light stand.

Speedlight – Stand ($24)

This will hold the speedlight and softbox to the height needed.

Universal Flash Gels Lighting Filter Kit ($12)

These neat little gels slip over your lights to easily change the color of light being cast from the back or the front.

Other Things You Will Need

PocketWizard Wireless Flash Trigger (2-Pack at $169)

You will mount this to the top of your camera. You can set one channel to communicate with the shutter and the other to trigger the flash, allowing you to control and time the lights for each shot.

Extension Cord & Power Strip ($30)

Lastly, you’re going to need a place to plug in all of your equipment!

Learn and Travel with Steinberg Photography

Are you looking for adventure and professional growth? Photographers Jim and Lori Steinberg of Steinberg Photography combine those aspects in their workshops and tours.

Landscape

9 Destinations for a Summer Landscape Photography Adventure

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Are you looking for a photography adventure this summer? Steinberg Photography leads expeditions to some of the most beautiful locations in the USA. To see where we’re headed and to reserve your spot, check out our Photo Tours page.

If you’re looking to have your own photography adventure but aren’t sure where to go, we have you covered. Below are 10 scenic locations that are renowned for their beautiful landscapes and excellent for landscape photography.

9 Photography Adventure Destinations

1. Yosemite

Also in California is Yosemite National Park, known in part for its Giant Sequoia groves. Millions of people visit the park each year, drawn to its waterfalls, streams, and granite cliffs. When possible, shoulder seasons are a great time to go:  fewer crowds and spring and fall provide great shooting opportunities.

2. White Sands

The White Sands National Monument features unique, snow-like gypsum sand dunes. It is, however, located near a missile range and is subject to closure during testing. Plan accordingly. It can also be quite windy, so be prepared to protect your equipment from getting the extremely fine sand grit in it.

3. Glacier National Park

Another incredible natural wonder is Glacier National Park, located in Montana on the border with Canada. This enormous park features two mountain ranges, over 130 names lakes, and hundreds of waterfalls. Bird Woman Falls, a 500-foot-tall waterfall, is a must-see. To get away from the summer mobs, plan on some of the numerous hiking trails available including those from the Logan Pass Visitor’s Center.

4. Banff National Park

If you’re scouting locations outside of the U.S., consider Banff National Park. The oldest national park in Canada is home to glacially fed lakes, picture-perfect mountains, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Additionally, the Icefields Parkway is one of the 10 most spectacular scenic drives in the world and lands you in Jasper on the other end.  An absolute can’t miss!

5. Assiniboine Provincial Park

At the edge of Banff lays Assiniboine Provincial Park, accessible only by backcountry trails. Photo opportunities are endless among the glaciers, lakes, mountains, waterfalls, and canyons. This is  a great add-on to the Banff-Jasper shooting trip, and after all the people in the former, you will appreciate the latter even more.

6. Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

If you’d like to go south, don’t miss Salar de Uyni – location of the world’s largest salt flat. When dry, it is uniquely fractured. When filled with water, it also serves as the world’s largest mirror: a unique and unspoiled location.

7. Tasmania, Australia

Tasmania, also in the Southern Hemisphere, is an Australian island covered with National Parks and Reserves. Forests, rivers, and mountain ranges make for beautiful photos. And because it is relatively small, it is easy to cover in depth, and of course, there is Hobart a fun and funky town in itself.

8. Tibet

Tibet is home to Mt. Everest and countless other incredible mountains. It is also home to YarlungZangbo Grand Canyon, one of the deepest and longest canyons on the planet. If you’re looking for an adventure shooting trip, consider some time hiking the Annapurna Trail.  You will need to be in shape for this one though as it is at altitude.

9. Golden Gate Highlands National Park

This South African National Park is best known for its eroded sandstone cliffs and outcrops, which make for unique photos. There is also an abundance of wildlife, perfect for your photo adventure. Like most of South Africa, it is affordable and the beauty is absolutely spectacular.  We have taken numerous groups to South Africa and they always come back gobstopped!

Landscape

Spring Photography: Four Ways to Make Colors Pop

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Spring is a wonderful time for landscape photography because bold colors begin to appear and nature’s winter doldrums are finally over. There are many editing techniques that you can utilize to make springtime colors truly pop, but why not do most of the work with your camera equipment? In fact, there are numerous ways to bring out brilliant colors without Photoshop. To get you started, here are a few easy-to-follow spring photography tips that everyone can incorporate into their photography outings!

Remove Distractions

Make the vivid colors of a new flower-covered landscape the focal point of your photo and remove unnecessary distractions from the background. You can accomplish this through proper framing or by changing your depth of field. For example, if there’s an unsightly sign poking up over the top of a hill, change your composition to eliminate it. As a rule, always eliminate the extraneous and only keep in the frame that which is necessary to tell the story of your image.

Practice Landscape Photography at the Right Time of Day

Do you want naturally occurring objects such as wheat and reeds to appear more vibrant? This can be easily accomplished by choosing the right time of day to take photographs. The beautiful glow that occurs daily shortly before sunset and after sunrise is rightfully referred to as the golden hour. Also be aware that backlight can add just the right glow to those reeds, flowers, etc.

Use Lens Filters to Even Out Colors

It’s difficult to fully showcase vivid landscape colors when your entire subject doesn’t have the same lighting conditions. Fortunately, you can easily correct this problem by utilizing a graduated neutral density filter. This helps correct exposure issues that occur when the sky is much brighter than everything else you want to capture.  Also, use a polarizing filter to decrease reflections and increase color intensity.

Choose the Right Color Balance

One thing that amateur landscape photographers often forget about is setting the correct white balance for their shooting conditions. Failure to get this right in-body will require editing in order to correct your images. Instead, simply choose the appropriate white balance setting for your lighting conditions. For example, if it’s a bright, sunny day, be sure to select the sunlight option. You can also manually pick a custom white balance setting for your landscape photography, but this requires practice and the right tools.

Learn More about Making Colors Pop in Landscape Photography

Professional award-winning photographer Jim Steinberg has been featured in numerous publications, including National Geographic. Now he offers workshops and photo tours to help other photographers of all skill levels. Learn to improve the colors, composition and every other aspect of your landscape photography by attending an upcoming session. Visit our homepage to learn more!

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NYC Photography Exhibition to Celebrate Art of the Landscape

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Opening Reception: Thursday 16 March, 6-9 PM – Levin Mezzanine Gallery – Public Theater – 425 Lafayette St. New York City, NY

 

Landscape photographers Jim and Lori Steinberg of Steinberg Photography have announced Art of the Landscape, a free and public photography exhibition that will have its opening from 6 to 9 PM on March 16th at the Levin Mezzanine Gallery at the Public Theater in New York City. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served. Jim and Lori will be on hand to interact, answer questions about the art of landscape photography, and provide information about Steinberg Photography’s many prints and photography workshops.

 

17 stunning landscape photographs from the gallery will be available for purchase.

 

Jim & Lori Steinberg are award-winning photographers whose photographs have appeared in magazines worldwide including National Geographic, Backpacker, National Parks, Audubon, Nature Conservancy, and Nature’s Best. Their work has been featured in numerous galleries and books and has garnered a Foreword National Book Award.

 

“2017 has already been a tremendous year for Lori and me,” said Jim Steinberg. “We have a few amazing trips planned across the globe, capturing some amazing moments, landscapes and people. This exhibit at the Public Theater will give us a chance to share our love for landscape photography with fellow enthusiasts as well as a wider public and get off the road for a few days and enjoy everything that New York City has to offer.”

 

If you are unable to attend the opening reception, you still have a chance to see Art of the Landscape. This evocative exhibit will remain in place until May 31, so be sure to stop by the next time you are in Manhattan or the next time you see a show at the Public Theater. The Levin Mezzanine is open to the public from 10 AM every day.

 

About Steinberg Photography

 

Jim and Lori Steinberg travel the globe driven by a passion to capture the essence of the world around them and convey the spirit of that world through their photographs. A destination for world-class landscape photography prints and calendars as well as exotic photo tours and workshops, Steinberg Photography allows Jim and Lori to employ their skills as photographers, instructors, mentors and travel guides simultaneously.

 

Steinberg Photography has already announced the next two guided photo tours: in July, a five-day trip through Rocky Mountain National Park; in September, a five-day photography workshop / train ride through the Colorado Rockies on the 19th-century Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

 

Contact Information
Jim Steinberg
info@jimsteinbergphotography.com

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How to Capture Beautiful Landscape Photos during Gloomy Weather

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Gloomy weather is very common at this time of the year, but it doesn’t need to ruin your landscape photos. Indeed, sometimes when the conditions look marginal at best, we can find some fantastic photo opportunities. Unfortunately, many photography enthusiasts will let their camera gather dust for a couple of months because they don’t feel confident shooting in overcast conditions. The good news is that gray skies can actually provide you with new opportunities to get truly stunning and unique photos.

Use Areas That Are Covered by Shade

It can be very challenging to get an evenly lit photograph when the sun is flitting in and out of the clouds on an otherwise gray day. Instead of fighting with this, select a spot that is shaded for better results. Light will still filter through, and you can compensate for the lack of direct light with your in-body camera settings.  Or, look to take advantage of the rays of light occasionally flitting through the trees or clouds to create some magical effects.

Pay Closer Attention to Small Details

A wide angle landscape photo may not provide the desired results when it’s raining, but you can pick out smaller details to focus on. For example, if you were shooting a mountain that is covered in flowers, you could pick one bunch of the wildflowers to focus on instead. Work with the drama of the natural light to create something magical!

Skip the Sky Altogether

Sometimes, the details in the foreground are still very compelling, but the sky is too washed out to make a good background. Much like with the previously mentioned mountain landscape photo, you can use your zoom lenses to omit the sky completely.

Use a Polarizer

Utilize a polarizer to help cut through the haze and infuse some color. Make sure to compensate by 1 1/2 F stops (when metering manually) due to the darkening effect of the polarizing filter.

Improve Your Landscape Photography Skills

Don’t let gloomy weather get in your way. Attend one of the Steinberg Photography photo tours and workshops to enhance your landscape photography skills. Visit our homepage for more details!

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Tips for Keeping Your Photography Gear in Good Shape

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Your landscape photography gear is an investment that needs to be properly cared for in order to provide you with the best possible results. After all, if you fail to keep everything clean and well-protected, your gear is much more likely to fail when you need it most. Fortunately, following a few simple tips can greatly expand the lifespan of your equipment.



Always Use Caps, Bags, Storage Cases and a Strap


The easiest way to harm your gear is by not keeping the front and rear lens caps on at all applicable times. It’s also best to have a UV or Skylight filter on the front of your lens to provide some protection if you drop your camera. Additionally, make sure that you always keep your equipment in a camera bag or storage case whenever it’s not being used. Another vital tip is to use a strap or tripod while shooting for added stability. Also, when changing lenses in the field, always be sure to keep the camera turned away from the wind, so dust or any loose material cannot land on the camera sensor; and, be sure to always have the camera pointed down so that nothing can fall into the opening and land on the sensor.



Clean Your Gear Regularly


For most people, it’s best to leave the cleaning of the camera sensor to a professional. However, you can clean your own lenses and your camera body. Use a rocket blower to get rid of dust. The rest of the dust and grime will come off of lenses easily with pre-moistened lens wipes and a microfiber cleaning cloth. Utilize a clean towel and a makeup or paintbrush to dust off and wipe down your camera body.



Insure Your Landscape Photography Gear


If your gear isn’t insured, you’re running a huge risk of losing everything to theft, fire or a flood. Most renter’s and homeowner’s policies will allow you to add on a special rider that specifically covers your gear. Make sure to check with your insurance company to see that your equipment is still covered even when traveling overseas. We have found most companies will not extend coverage to Africa. If your insurance company falls into this category, I suggest using USAA as they cover equipment on a worldwide basis.



Take Your Landscape Photography to the Next Level


Jim Steinberg photography offers workshops and tours to help photographers improve their skills. These sessions are suitable for everyone from beginners to professionals. Head to our homepage to learn more!

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How to Make Sunset Photography Truly Dynamic

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Sunset photography is visually appealing and offers a unique way to capture landscapes and people. However, getting high quality results requires some knowledge and practice. It’s better to use a DSLR for sunset photos, although it is possible to get good images with a smartphone.

Sunset Photography Starts with the Foreground

A sunset on its own is beautiful, but the visual contrast supplied by a compelling foreground will make your photos much more dynamic. Choose a foreground focal point such as a waterfall or unusual rock formation to create depth. As an added bonus, this foreground will look different in a digital format in sunset lighting than it does at any other time of day.

Underexpose the Sunset

Have you ever shot a picture of the sunset that turned the sun into nothing more than a big, bright blob? You may have also photographed stunning sunset colors that came out muted and boring. Fortunately, these problems can be solved by underexposing the sunset. You don’t have to take this concept too far; a slight underexposure goes a long way toward creating a fantastic image.

Use Silhouettes to Your Advantage

We’ve all seen photos with amazing silhouettes, but mimicking this can be tricky. Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that will help you turn the foreground into a professional looking silhouette. Pick something that doesn’t fill up a major portion of the frame (and do not center it) and has an easily recognizable shape. Next, decide on how much depth of field you need. Remember that if your foreground subject is fairly close you will need a smaller aperture to maintain sharpness throughout the image, and you may have to increase shutter speed to stop any motion in the foreground.

Enhance Your Landscape Photography Skills

Landscapes work well with sunsets, but you need to learn how to capture them in prime lighting conditions first. Steinberg Photography offers photo tours and workshops for everyone from novice to professional photographers. Check out our homepage to find out more so that you can begin expanding your repertoire to include sunset photography!

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