Here is one last post from my friend Laurie Excell, here again to help you make the most of the Photo Walk!
With less than 24 hours before Scott Kelby’s Second Annual Worldwide PhotoWalk begins, I can feel the anticipation building. I keep getting emails from eager walkers who are thrilled to be a part of what is likely to go down in the Guinness Book of World Records. I know that I and all the other walk leaders are excited and have put lot’s of time and energy into our routes and the end destination to make the most of the photographic opportunities as well as making this a great social event where you make new friends.
For the last several weeks Brad (here on the PhotoWalk blog), Scott, Jeff Revell (over at PhotoWalk Pro) and I have been passing out tips and ideas on how to make the most of your PhotoWalk. There has been some great information handed down that will help you to not only come home with some great images but, to have a great time exploring your won city. I find that we take the things that are most familiar to us for granted and last year when I led the PhotoWalk in Portland, it opened my eyes and reminded me what a pretty city I live in. I made a vow that I would get out and explore my own city more.
Well, I’m going to pass out a few more last minute ideas for making the most of your PhotoWalk…
-Panorama…Cityscapes and buildings are great subjects for panoramas. You will need your tripod to lock your camera down tight. Level the tripod and the camera so that when you pan, you have an even path. Pan through the scene with your eye in the viewfinder and compare the exposure range. Set your camera to manual exposure and select the desired exposure. Set your camera to manual focus after focusing on your subject. Set your camera to single advance so you only get one frame of each section. Begin at the farthest left angle that you will be shooting. Place your hand in front of the lens and take the first picture, this tells you where the beginning point is. Remove your hand and take the first photo. With the panning knob loose enough to pan smoothly, turn the camera until about 15-20% of the previous image is still in the frame and click again. Continue the steps until you have done a complete pan with one frame of each section. Photoshop will do the stitching for you. Simply open the files in Photoshop and go to File>Automate>Photomerge, select the files and sit back. All you have to do when you are done is finish the image. Photoshop will stitch the files together blending them smoothly and seamlessly.
-Combine B&W with color…as in the General Store above and the Denver Union Station image below, I have taken the image to B&W using NIK filters and then adding a layer mask have painted in some color blending both color and B&W into one image. I love the contrast of a monochromatic image with splashes of color
-Reflections…most cities have several buildings made of glass which make for great reflective surfaces. I love to photograph reflections in windows.
-Shadow & Light…even at midday there are some excellent opportunities to photograph great light in cities. I love the way the light bounces from one building to the next just like giant reflectors. The play of shadow and light can make for some very interesting images.
-Windows, Doors, Stairways…make for very simplistic and yet interesting images. You could give yourself a self assignment to only photograph one to all three of these and easily find many subjects to photograph along your route.
-Vertical vs Horizontal…remember that your camera can turn…from the horizontal (or landscape) format to vertical (or portrait) format. Try shooting the same subject in more than one orientation. You will be pleasantly surprised that you like the other orientation in many cases.
On a more serious note (for just a second)…
-Respect private property. Don’t go onto private property unless you ask or are invited to do so.
-Be safe. It is so easy to get so involved in shooting that we forget the rest of the world. Be aware of the traffic ; don’t step out in front of a moving car.
-Be courteous. There will be fifty plus folks vying for the same photograph. Be courteous of others and don’t walk in front of their photos. Be courteous of others who are out and about too. Don’t take up the sidewalk, blocking traffic.
-Dress according to your local cities weather. Layering is the best alternative. You can take a layer or two off if it gets warm or you can add a layer if you get chilled. If there is a chance of rain, go anyway, some great images can be made before, during and after a rainstorm. But, be prepared…take a rain jacket for yourself and one for your camera. I use the Shutter Hat to protect my camera against the elements.
-Be friendly and take the time to explain to others what you are doing and why you are out photographing the city. Talk up NAPP and what a great organization it is, mention the Springs of Hope Kenya Orphanage that your PhotoWalk t-shirt is benefitting, take the opportunity to meet people.
-HAVE FUN!!! Don’t forget to have a great time!
