Mother Nature hit Toronto with a spectacular light show on August 24, 2011.  Lucky for us, Vistek staffer & Photographer Extraordinaire, Anthony Luke, was quick enough on the draw to snap a couple of fantastic photos of the event.

We thought we’d take the opportunity to grill him on how, exactly, he captured such a gorgeous-yet-volatile element of nature.
 

How do you choose a location?
Having a few buildings or tree line in the photograph gives the lightening a sense of scale.

What about safety precautions? Or do you simply shoot from inside?
I shot from my studio window so safety was not an issue. Stay away from trees and open fields. Shoot from underneath an overhang or from inside a car

Any advice for gear protection if shooting outside?
For outdoor shooting I would recommend a  Kata rain cover.

How do you go about framing this kind of shot?
Framing is pretty straight forward: lots of sky in the shot, but interesting foreground is important.

How do you know where to focus manually for something that is sporadic like lightening?
Shoot wide angle to increase the chances of capturing a strike or two. Crop later if you like. I would recommend pre-focusing on the building(s) which the lightening is striking (or likely too.) But with wide angle at f11 you have a pretty big sweet spot for depth-of-field.

Are there specific aperture, shutter speed or ISO settings you can use as a go-to or starting point?
I try and keep the ISO reasonably low to keep noise to a minimum. ISO 320 works well for me on a 5D MkII. I use a 15 second exposure at around f10 or f11

Tripod or no?
I use a tripod but free hand is cool too for streaking lights.

Lens: fixed focal or zoom? Wide angle?
For my images I used a Canon 24-70/2.8L at around 24mm. Wide angle is usually best

Do you use a remote?
I used a remote to trigger the camera to keep camera shake to a minimum.

How many shots does it normally take to get one super one? Or does it really depend on the storm and frequency of lightening strikes?
Patience is key. The long exposures allow you to catch the strikes – sometimes more than one strike in a single capture!
Keep firing the camera while the storm is at it’s peak and you will eventually get a few great images.
Include a tower or tall structure in the photo so that the chances of photographing a lightening strike is greater

What sort of (if any)post processing do you employ?
I do a little post to intensify the image in Lightroom.  I clean up the noise, boost the contrast and adjust the levels a bit.  I have a few presets that I like to use as well.  I play around with colour temperature slider in Lightroom a little as well, depending on the image.

And other tips you can suggest?
Keep Shooting!

Check out Anthony’s blog & website to see what inspires him — and how!

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Sony has launched an entire series of How To videos from everything as basic as how to choose the right cable to connect your Sony products or how to create a Video on Demand account to how to troubleshoot your home network or edit movies with Sony Movie Studio.
 

 
The guides take the typical User Manual FAQs to a more user-friendly level and include easy-to-understand tips and tricks as well answers to the most commonly asked product related questions.

The guides – which cover all of Sony’s key product ranges, including Digital Imaging, Network Communication, Home Entertainment and Essentials – are also available via Sony’s BRAVIA Internet Video service (delivered direct to the TV, Blu-ray player or Netbox.)

Check out the Sony YouTube Channel for even more great How To videos!

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By now you’ve all heard about the Contour Camera and the amazing things that can be shot with these amazing hands-free HD storytellers.

Well now you’ve got the perfect opportunity to check them out in action. Vistek is holding an Outdoor Contour Camera Event this August 19 (it’s a Friday, too – the perfect excuse to slip away from work a wee bit early!)

The folks from Contour will be set up in the Vistek parking lot, from noon until 3pm, with some cool & exciting demonstrations and product sessions. And, even better? This event is FREE!  But it is limited to 50 people, so be sure to register early – you don’t want to miss out!

I mean, seriously… look at the incredible footage these things can shoot!

Don’t you want to come check it out for yourself? Of course you do…

Register now, though, while there’s still space available!

WHAT: Outdoor Contour Camera Event
WHERE: Vistek Toronto (496 Queen St. E) — back parking lot
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19 | Noon – 3pm

REGISTER TODAY.

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Great question! And Jim Harmer at ImprovePhotography.com has a fantastic response.

In a nutshell, unless you’re formatting your memory card 10 times a day, it should last a lifetime. But we all know that there are exceptions to every rule. So have a look, for yourself, at what Jim has to say HERE.

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Debbie Grossman over at popphoto.com has posted a fun tutorial on how you can fake a tilt-shift effect in Photoshop. She’s got step-by-step instructions (including ever-handy screenshots) to transform your image in less time than you’d think.

Check it out & give it a whirl yourself!

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When shooting landscape pictures with telephoto lenses, you will sometime see that the colors are influenced by haze.

It is not just a question of having the right White Balance. It also has to do with the fact that when an object is viewed over a long distance, it will be viewed through lots of air which in itself adds color to the object.

Sometimes, this colored haze just adds the right look and feel to the image but at other times it may just be an unwanted distraction to the landscape.

Capture One Pro’s levels adjustments tool for individual color channels is the perfect tool to deal with such haze problems.

The image on the left shows some typical long distance haze which makes the colors look a little washed out with a distinct bluish cast. The image on the right has been corrected with individual Levels Tools for each color channel. Not only has the bluish cast disappeared, but the blue sky and the green color of the mountain slopes now appear much more natural.

Read more about how to deal with haze on the Image Quality Professor’s Phase One blog >>

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The Datacolor SpyderCube is great when you need to obtain accurate white balance as well as exposure readings and apply these to a series of shots.

The good folks at Datacolor have also put together this simple step-by-step guide to demonstrate how it works.

Check it out for yourself:

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Filter Your World

A polarizing filter can be your best friend when trying to capture autumnal beauty. They will reduce reflections and increase the contrast in your photos giving you rich & vibrant tones and make your colours POP! And the saturation of colours that you get when using a polarizing filter is phenomenal. Not only will it help you to capture the vivid blue of the sky, but it will also decrease much of the haze that is quite common at this time of year.

A simple UV/haze filter can also filters out haze in skies as well as provide extra protection for the front of your lens.

Using a point & shoot camera and a filter isn’t an option? Try using your sunglasses over the lens and see what a difference they make. Rose-coloured ones will make the sky bluer, grayish ones will make the sky less over exposed & yellow ones will allow more detail to show in low light.

Sunrise, Sunset

Mother Nature has already given you incredible reds & golds this time of year, so why not use her lighting as well to accentuate those colours? The light’s low angles during sunrise & sunset can pick out shadows and emphasize a myriad of natural textures that might not otherwise be noticeable in the bright light of mid-day.

And while we’re on the subject of sunlight – don’t limit yourself to only the super sunny days. You shouldn’t underestimate the brilliant shadows that can be cast by a few well-placed clouds. An overcast day can often be the best opportunity to capture rich contrasts in foliage colour & can also add an added tone or emotional depth to your composition.

Ready, Steady, Go

While you’re shooting in those brilliant, but low-light conditions, you’ll want to be certain your camera isn’t moving about as you’re about to release the shutter. You want your images to be focused, crisp & clear? A tripod is definitely going to be another incredible addition to your photo gear.

Try using a shutter release cable or remote for those long sunset or sunrise exposures. Even with a tripod, pressing the shutter release by hand can sometimes create blur and either of these options are great ways to eliminate any potential wobbles.

Outside & moving around a lot? Chances are you’ll be carrying your camera in-hand with from one location to the next trying to capture impromptu shots – but there are into ways to help with the inevitable hand fatigue that’s bound to strike. A good neck strap can be a huge help – there’s no fear of dropping your camera and it can double as a good resting spot when you don’t want to stow it. Another option is a vertical grip: bigger hands find it more comfortable & the built in shutter button when shooting vertical (or horizontal, for that matter) is handy and provides a stable grip for your camera. The additional battery power is an added bonus that will ensure you won’t run out of juice in the middle of a shoot.

Exposure and White Balance

Play with them. It’s what they’re there for. Is the light washing out the colour of the leaves you’re shooting? Dial back your exposure and see the difference. You can also add drama by ditching the Auto setting on your white balance. Try setting it at just the next stop down – experiment a bit until you get exactly the effect you like.

Get even more creative and carry your experimentation over to a bit of editing. You can still capture amazing shots when the sky appears far too bright or overexposed by taking multiple photos and a) adjusting your exposure to the sky in one and b) adjusting to your subject in the second. Challenge your Photoshop skills by combining the two photos to create one perfect shot. (Hint: use a tripod to ensure a steady shot & to make sure both shots are framed similarly)

Not so sure about your editing skills? Try using a graduated neutral density filter to achieve similar results. Position the shaded portion of the filter/frame over the sky and the clear portion on your subject – you’ll be impressed with the results!

Razzle Dazzle

Fall is a great time to add some natural bling to your photographs. Look for a bit of natural sparkle in water droplets, ice or frost.

Brighten up harsh shadows with an easy-to-use collapsible light reflector – they pack up small & unfold big allowing you to direct the sunlight towards shadows and brighten up your shot.

Create gorgeous artistic watercolour-like backgrounds easily by using a wide angle lens. Simply set your aperture to f2.8 (or a similar small number), focus on the foreground of your shot and the background will become blurry (short depth of field); this works especially well in the fall when trees & foliage are an explosion of different colours that will blend into a gorgeous background for your shot.

Play Nice with Mother Nature

This time of year definitely creates an incredible natural backdrop for beautiful photographs. But nature is definitely something to be respected: not only can the weather turn on you in the blink of an eye – it can also make for dramatic photos at the same time. You don’t want to be ducking for cover any time you’re presented with less than idyllic weather conditions. Be sure you have the right protective coverings for yourself AND your gear and you’ll be a happy camper every time you head out to shoot.

Don’t forget wildlife! If you’re out shooting this fall, there are a lot of feathered & fuzzy critters that make great subjects for fun photographs. Even when they’re small and/or far away, they can still be captured – in fact, the best way to leave them undisturbed is with a telephoto zoom, which will ensure that you’re able to capture them no matter how far off in the distance they may be.

View the entire Imaging Guide

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by Cam Levack

A rewarding travel photo shoot starts with what you pack. You’ll have lots of decisions: Zoom lens or fast primes? Underwater compact or a housing for your DSLR? 110 or 220V for your battery charger? Whether you’re a pro shooting stock, or an enthusiast capturing memories, effective pre-planning is the best way to ensure success.

Check it out.
A little research on your destination will help you decide what kind of images you’re going for, and what equipment you’ll need to capture it. In some cases it’s obvious. Photographing lions in east Africa or whales off Cabo San Lucas requires a long telephoto zoom or prime. For sweeping landscapes in the Rockies, bring a wide angle, and for the dazzle of Times Square at night, include a fast lens. For others, a “walk-around” zoom, such as the 18-200, will do the job. And if you don’t own the perfect lens for the situation, consider renting one.

Steady as she goes.
Today’s image-stabilized lenses (in some cases, camera bodies) make it easier to get sharp, handheld images even in low light. But there’s nothing like a steady tripod, like Benro‘s new Travel Angel. It easily fits in your camera bag or carry-on luggage, yet is sturdy enough for your DSLR. Joby’s GorillaPod secures your camera to trees, deck chairs or just about anything. Video users can work with a Glidecam for steady footage – imagine a video walking tour of a Costa Rican rain forest.

Make a splash.
Moisture can be the enemy of cameras, so prepare. Specially-made underwater compacts, such as the Canon D10, Olympus Tough 8000 and Pentax Optio W80 are great for snorkeling, as well as beachside or vacation snaps anywhere. More serious users may prefer a waterproof housing by DiCAPac or Ewa Marine. There are specific models for your DSLR, video camcorder or point and shoot. To protect against tropical humidity and showers, consider a rain cover by Kata or Matin.

Get carried away.
If you’re trekking through terrain, a well-designed photo backpack like Tenba‘s Shootout will help you organize, protect and carry your gear comfortably. Tenba’s Messenger Bag is excellent for city vacations or more general use. E-Image has a number of bags suitable for a camcorders and video gear. If you like to carry your DSLR on your hip and ready for action, check out the BlackRapid R-Strap. The Matin Shooting Vest allows you to “wear” a variety of lenses, flash and other equipment.

You can see clearly now.
A UV Filter from will cut through haze and protect your DSLR lenses, while a polarizing filter will enhance the colour in the sky, remove reflections and improve contrast. B+W and Hoya offer a variety of filters to fit all lens diameter sizes.

Don’t forget the basics.
Depending on your destination, you may be able to purchase memory cards, batteries, lens cleaning cloths and other small items. But why chance it? Better to stock up before you leave with memory, such as affordable Acumem, and rechargeable batteries by Lenmar. Some chargers even let you switch to 220 volts.

Don’t leave home without it.
A trip to an exotic locale can be a unique photo or video opportunity. A little planning will go a long way in making sure you have everything you need to capture images you’re sure to treasure.

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Wildlife and landscape photographer Jim Zuckerman spends a snowy day in Central Park talking about photography and tripod support tips.

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