How to take a Photograph out of a Plane Window

Here's a quick set of tips for those of us lucky enough to be taking a trip in a plane and wanting to get the classic 'out of the window shot' that often is featured early in a travel photo album.

Image by mbshane

One common mistake that people make with taking this shots is to put their camera's lens right up against the glass of the plane window in the hope that it will help cut down on reflections and in the hope that it will steady their shot. While it might help a little with reflections it generally does anything but steady the shot and will often usually increase camera shake' due to the vibrations of the plane. A better strategy, if you're using a DSLR with a fitted lens, is to attach a lens hood to your lens and get in as close as you can to the window without actually touching it. Alternatively, use your free hand to cup around the lens as much as you can to shield it from reflections. Of course for high quality aerial shots you'll want to shoot out an open window from an appropriate altitude - but then most of us are not in that league so the window seat on an airliner is our best option.

Photo by Tim Caynes

Here are five more tips that come to mind on photographing out a plane's window:

1. Switch to Manual Focus

Quite often cameras get confused when shooting through glass (and on most planes its two or three scratched and marked sheets of glass). Switching to manual focussing mode and locking your focus on your main focal point can help a lot.

2. Shoot early in the Flight

Windows tend to ice up or get condensation on them once you've been flying for a longer period of time. Shoot early when you're window is clearer and your shots will be better for it.

Photography by betta design

3. Be ready for the Plane Banking

It is difficult from an airliner to take shots of the ground (due to window size and the angles that are possible through them) but opportunities do present themselves for such shots on the few occasions that the plan banks before landing and after take off. The key is to be ready and to shoot fast as these moments don't last long.

4. Turn off your Flash

For starters it'll have no impact on your shot (its not strong enough to have an impact beyond a few meters) and secondly it'll just cause reflections against the window.

Image by igorms

5. Look for points of Interest

Sometimes the scenes out of plane windows seem quite spectacular to the eye but when you look at your photos they can be a little empty and un-inspirational. Look for a point of interest to bring your shot to life. It might be the wing or engine of the plane, it could be a cloud formation, another plane, a coastline, a change in the landscape below or a setting sun etc. It could even be something inside the plane.

Photo by Bill Liao

How to take a Photograph out of a Plane Window

Here's a quick set of tips for those of us lucky enough to be taking a trip in a plane and wanting to get the classic 'out of the window shot' that often is featured early in a travel photo album.

Image by mbshane

One common mistake that people make with taking this shots is to put their camera's lens right up against the glass of the plane window in the hope that it will help cut down on reflections and in the hope that it will steady their shot. While it might help a little with reflections it generally does anything but steady the shot and will often usually increase camera shake' due to the vibrations of the plane. A better strategy, if you're using a DSLR with a fitted lens, is to attach a lens hood to your lens and get in as close as you can to the window without actually touching it. Alternatively, use your free hand to cup around the lens as much as you can to shield it from reflections. Of course for high quality aerial shots you'll want to shoot out an open window from an appropriate altitude - but then most of us are not in that league so the window seat on an airliner is our best option.

Photo by Tim Caynes

Here are five more tips that come to mind on photographing out a plane's window:

1. Switch to Manual Focus

Quite often cameras get confused when shooting through glass (and on most planes its two or three scratched and marked sheets of glass). Switching to manual focussing mode and locking your focus on your main focal point can help a lot.

2. Shoot early in the Flight

Windows tend to ice up or get condensation on them once you've been flying for a longer period of time. Shoot early when you're window is clearer and your shots will be better for it.

Photography by betta design

3. Be ready for the Plane Banking

It is difficult from an airliner to take shots of the ground (due to window size and the angles that are possible through them) but opportunities do present themselves for such shots on the few occasions that the plan banks before landing and after take off. The key is to be ready and to shoot fast as these moments don't last long.

4. Turn off your Flash

For starters it'll have no impact on your shot (its not strong enough to have an impact beyond a few meters) and secondly it'll just cause reflections against the window.

Image by igorms

5. Look for points of Interest

Sometimes the scenes out of plane windows seem quite spectacular to the eye but when you look at your photos they can be a little empty and un-inspirational. Look for a point of interest to bring your shot to life. It might be the wing or engine of the plane, it could be a cloud formation, another plane, a coastline, a change in the landscape below or a setting sun etc. It could even be something inside the plane.

Photo by Bill Liao

20 Quick Street Photography Tips

I was going through an old 'Digital Photographer' magazine this afternoon and came across a good Top 20 list of tips for those wanting to get into Street Photography. Photography by Carlo Nicora Here's their headings an a few thoughts on each one from me:

1. Photography by Carlo Nicora
   Less is More - don't take too much equipment and travel light. It'll make you less obtrusive and you will be able to move around for the best shot quickly.
2. Off the Beaten Track - don't just go to all the touristy shots - try to get 'behind the scenes' and 'real life' scenes.
3. Stolen Moments - anticipate moments between people before they happen.
4. True Colours - black and white is often where it's at with street photography but at times colourful situations arise and can really make a shot - be on the look out for these.
5. In the Background - what's goign on behind your subject can actually 'make' the shot. Billboards, signs, graffiti and other visual elements can really make a statement in a shot.
6. Dare to Go Diagonal - don't just hold your camera horizontally - experiment with angles. Street photography is a less formal medium - make the most of it.
7. Opposites Attract - shots which challenge the 'norm' in terms of composition and story/subject matter can be powerful. Look out for 'surprising' subject matter and composition.
8. What a Performance - street performers, parades and other street entertainment can be great subject matter on the street.
9. Off the Streets - other places where people gather in number can lead to great shots in this genre - zoos, fairs, shows, parks, sporting events etc all can be worth trying.
10. New Angle - find ways to get up high or down low - these new perspectives on subjects that are familiar can lead to eye catching shots.
11. Practice makes Perfect - over time and with practice your photography will improve. You'll not only get better at technique but also spotting the things to focus upon on the street.
12. Fortune Favors the Brave - sometimes the best thing you can do is to get close to your subject - this can be a little confronting but will produce powerful images
13. Fun in the Sun - often we try to avoid shooting into the sun and the shadows that direct sunlight can produce - in street photography breaking these 'rules' can lead to great shots.
14. Ready to Pounce - have your camera out and ready to shoot at all times. Things can move quickly on the street so if you're not ready you'll miss lots of opportunities.
15. Revise the Revisit - street photography is not all about spontaneity - if you see a scene with potential don't be afraid to keep coming back to it until you get the shot.
16. Frozen Motion - the street is a place of movement - to capture it and still get sharp shots make sure your shutter speed is fast enough. 1/125 or more with an ISO of 400 is what this article recommended as a base. I also think it can be fun to experiment with slower shutter speeds on the street - capture the movement as blur.
17. Street Wallpaper - blend in with the scene - shoot unobtrusively and unnoticed.
18. Life Through a Lens - 'exaggerating perspective will help set your subject in context and provide a more forgiving depth of field' - use a wide angle lens (or even a fisheye).
19. Expect the Expected - people can be suspicious of street photographers so shoot in places where people expect to see people doing photography. Smile, be polite and be willing to delete images if people protest.
20. Location, Location, Location - really this is what it is all about. Choose places where people interact with one another and times when they are present.

What would you add (or subtract) from this list of Street Photography Tips? Photogrpahy by Gabba Gabba Hey!

The Art of Travel Photography

If you are like most photographers who takes roll after roll of film or fill up digital cards and love to bring home great travel photographs now is a good reason to get started. Perhaps you'd like to put together a personal collection as a memento of your travels. Or, you might be assembling a slide show of your travels that will wow folks. Maybe if you're really ambitious you've got visions of someday impressing editors and art directors with your picture taking abilities.

Wedding Photography - Why It Is One Of The More Critical Choices For Your Wedding

Wedding photography is one of the most important decisions that an engaged couple must make. While the dress, cake, flowers and other details are of course important, the wedding photography will capture the event for all time. When deciding on wedding photography, you need to make not only the all-important decision on which photographer to use, but will also need to decide what style of wedding photography you would like.

Caring for your Digital Camera

Here are some great tips and tricks to keep you digital camera in the best condition.  From best cleaning practices to great storage tips, follow these steps and you digital camera will stay like new for a long time.

The Canon Sure Shot Digital Camera - One of the Good Cameras

Amongst all of the Canon digital camera models you can get cameras for all type of photographers. Whether you are an experienced photographer, the semi-serious professional or the amateur canon offers some of the best cameras for your needs. Amongst those cameras you will find the Canon Sure Shot digital Camera.