Blog 2

Fitzharris notes that the first step in becoming a good photographer is learning how to make good exposure.  There are many ways to do this, first check the histogram this will tell you if the parts of the scene you want are being recorded by the sensor.

When using light meters things to remember is they work best in average scenes, it is hard for them to show the true brightness of snow or the depth of lava. You can set the metering pattern to different modes and leave it. A mode that can be used is Evaluative/Matrix Metering which measures light in 15 to 30 locations in the frame, this mode is good for general-purpose or a default setting. There is also Center-weighted Metering which measures about 75 percent of the picture.

Some exposure Modes are Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter Priority Mode, and Manual Mode. These modes can all be used together, by moving meter readings that are measured in stops to make the best exposure possible. Or the exposure desired by the photographer. If there is a sense of brightness or darkness in a photograph, the photographer can play with the meters to create the right lighting, or clearness in a picture White scenes are usually captured as a grayish tone but Fitzharris explains that if exposure is increased by one stop to two stops it will brighten these light tones to their true quality.

When shooting winter photography, there are different modifications that must be made. Gear that needs to be modified includes the most important, clothing, insulation for equipment such as batteries. Let’s start with clothing, it is important to stay warm and comfortable during the duration of your shoot in the cold. Important clothing includes, sturdy water-shedding, insulated pants, head gear, warm boots that are breathable and waterproof, gloves, lots of layers and a loose fitting, non-insulated, wind breaking and water shedding parka.

                Things to remember when shooting in the winter are that snow and ice act as reflectors, so be ready to make adjustments so that your camera can take the picture you are asking it to take. This can be done by using density filters. Although there aren’t as many colors or wildlife during the winter there is an array of creative shots that can be taken during this cold time.

                During every part of the year and in every part of the world there are magnificent images waiting to be captured. In the chapter, Nature Photography’s Year, Fitzharris introduces the reader to a year full of photography in the most beautiful parts of the world.