You don’t always have to stop the action

 

Sports and action photos are most often made with a higher shutter speed that “stops the action” and produces a tack-sharp image.

However by using a relatively slow shutter speed, you can emphasize the movement to create a totally different feel to the picture.

---

This “stop action” photo was captured using a relatively high shutter speed of 1/500th second. The young girl’s face is sharp.	By changing the shutter speed to 1/15th second, the blurred image creates a definite feeling of movement.
Here, the movement is mainly the girl’s arm striking the tree. Her face is still relatively sharp with a 1/30th second exposure.	Using a relatively slow shutter speed and panning (moving the camera to follow the action), produces blur except for the main subject. It takes a little practice to produce this effect.

 

---

Don’t hesitate to set your shutter speed to 1/30 or slower and let the action do the talking. Slow dancing can make for some interesting photos. Do you agree? Send me your comments.

 

 

Written by Arnie Lee

 

---

We heard that a few military aircraft were going to be stopping at Grand Rapids airport for a quick visit. So we grabbed a camera at hopped over to the Gerald R. Ford International Airport – only a mile from our offices.

As part of the Armed Forces Day, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) was displaying different military aircraft and equipment. The event, which honored those serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, was held inside the Amway Corporation hangar so the threatening weather was not a problem.

The aircraft on display included a Blackhawk helicopter and a B-17 World War II bomber.

The “Yankee Lady” B-17 World War II-era bomber.

The ESGR is part of the Department of Defense for Reserve Component Employers. Its goal is to develop relationships with employers that support workers who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. Several representatives from all branches of the U.S. military were available to talk about the military.

The Blackhawk was another favorite with the visitors.

I didn’t, however, see anyone climbing into the very cramped quarters of the ball-turret gunner on the B-17…

The aircraft were definitely “hands-on” so you could climb into the cockpit of the Blackhawk helicopter or check out the very cramped quarters of the ball-turret gunner on the B-17. I saw people of all ages from little kids up through veterans of World War II talking with the military personnel.

The U.S. Coast Guard displayed some of their rescue craft and law enforcement craft. Two sharpshooters were also present talking about their camouflage techniques and work Although it wasn’t extensive and took only a short time to walk through, it was a good way to kick off the days leading up to Memorial Day.

 

Written By Scott Slaughter

 

---

Staying close to mother earth

 

One thing that I’ve tried to do to increase the intimacy of my photos is to GET LOW – stay close to the path leading from the camera lens to the subject.

By path, I mean the space between me and the subject. The subject may be very close, slightly close or far away. And the space between me and the subject may be the ground, water, grass, whatever. By including this space up close, I think I’m better able to convey the scale of the subject.

In my younger days, I had little problem photographing these paths by crouching down or even laying on the ground to capture this space. Unfortunately, my legs and back no longer afford me the same body flexibility.

For some years now to save my back, I’ve used an angle viewfinder. The angle viewfinder that I use snaps onto my camera’s eyepiece and has a built-in diopter adjustment (handy since I use eyeglasses for distant viewing) and two levels of magnification for more precise focusing.

---

This angle viewfinder is for a Canon DSLR. Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony have similar viewfinders for their cameras.	Using the angle viewfinder, I’m able to compose and focus very low to the ground without breaking my back.
The angle viewfinder let me capture a closeup of the pine cone. Instead of a top-down photo, I was able to include the pine needles with this side view of the subject.
Many of the new DLSRs have a feature that minimizes the need for the angle viewfinder accessory – an LCD which swivels. Below, the LCD on this Sony A55 is articulated. You can swivel the LCD to provide a large view when the camera is sitting on the ground and from almost any other angle too. Among the other camera models which have a swiveling LCD are the Canon T3i and 60D, Nikon D5100, Sony A33 and Olympus E-620.
The LCD on this Sony A55 conveniently folds out to provide a 3″ live viewfinder.	In the field, I can place the camera on the ground and compose the photo from my sitting position.
The swiveling LCD made it easy for me to include the surroundings at Monument Valley. Although I was very distant from the monument in the background, this was a convenient way to show the texture of the ground. BTW, my pants remained clean afterwards.
I have many photos of little people taken from above – great if you don’t mind seeing the tops of their heads and hair. But with an angle viewfinder or swiveling LCD you can easily lower your viewpoint for kids’ portraits.
Here I was able to get down to the level of two of our grandkids. From down here, it’s much easier to see their eyes.

 

---

The next time you’re out taking pictures (hopefully very soon), make it a point GET LOW. Take a few shots from the very lowest point of view that you can. It can make for some interesting photos.

 

 

Written by Arnie Lee

 

---

« Older Posts — Newer Posts »