Hello ladies and gents this is the Viking telling you that today we are talking about 

PHOTO GENIE

Make use of reflections

There are lots of unique opportunities if you pay attention where most people don’t. One of the things to look out for are reflections.

You can find them after (or even during) rainy days, in puddles, in lakes and even in swimming pools. Water isn’t the only source, try mirrors, big glass windows, and chromed out fixtures.

Utilize the photography “golden hour”

Lighting is paramount since it dictates the shape, texture, contrast, and shadows in your images. The golden hour is about a one-hour window briefly after sunrise or before sunset.

The longer shadows and especially the more diffused light during these periods provide much more flattering light. Since the light is diffused, you’re much less likely to ‘blow out’ highlights or lose detail in the shadows that are difficult to avoid during the strong light available during most of the day.

This golden hour tool calculates the golden hour for you based on your location.

Get a low cost reflector to drastically increase your options

Having a reflector will let you better control light on your subject. You can even use foam core board at a craft store that’s black on one side and white on the other for less than five dollars.

Foldable fabric ones are also available at photography stores. The black side lets you block or reduce lights, while the white side can be used to fill in shadows. These two options give you much greater control with positioning and angles instead of being limited by the main light source. If there is too much contrast in your scene, use a reflector to fill the shadows on your subject. Adjust the reflector’s distance to your subject to control the intensity of the fill light.

How to photograph fireworks

Fireworks are an amazing sight—it’s definitely one that captures well on camera too. Be prepared and set up ahead of time to increase your chances for great results. Follow this step-by-step:

Predict where the fireworks will be so you can set up in a good spot. Most firework shows don’t last too long so if you have to move during the show you might miss it!

Keep the camera as still as possible. Use a tripod and a cable release so you can trigger the shutter without touching the camera.

Set your camera to ISO 100 for a clean looking shot. Fireworks are bright so you can also use a relatively small aperture around f/8 or smaller.

Press the shutter release right before the fireworks go off and release the shutter once the fireworks fade. Review your photograph, and adjust your framing and aperture if necessary for the next shot.

Portrait photography tips

If you’re just starting out, chances are you don’t have a studio or fancy lighting equipment.

Your best bet is to use window light. Turn off all the lights in the room and move near a window with some curtains so you can play around with diffusing the light.

Turning off all the lights includes the pop-up flash on your camera too. Make sure you focus on the eyes, make your subjects feel comfortable, and give it a shot!

And as always have a chilled day from the Viking