Photography Workshop :
Magnolia Plantation — Audubon Swamp Garden
April 2010
Pamela Cohen / Photographer / Prima Photography
Pamela’s Photographic Philosophy: “Selecting the proper controls on a camera for any given photographic situation is like adding the right amounts of ingredients to a non proven recipe. Once you have the basic equipment/ingredients, use trial and error to create and perfect the final product.”
INTRODUCTION: Photos will be shown at the prep session to accompany the introduction.
Why Magnolia Swamp was chosen for workshop: incredible color, textures, reflections and biodiversity of plants and animals.
An amazing place, comparable to many photography “hot spots” in Florida. Interesting composition to satisfy a wide range of photographic interests.
Understanding the Biology: Explanations of wading bird behavior will be explained in the field ( tidbit… I am also a biologist who loves large wading birds)
An understanding and familiarity with habitat and species behavior allows the photographer to know what to anticipate and what equipment to select.
Approach to Photography: Photos will be shown
1. Decide what the picture is all about.
2. Tell a Story: Shoot a sequence to explain the point you are trying to exemplify.
3. Shoot close ups for details.
4. Cut out the clutter.
5. Eliminate expended flowers, brown leaves, etc. from the subject.
6. Go beyond the traditional…be creative.
7. Don’t be afraid to go against the cardinal rules of photography.
8. Use your favorite artists’ styles to inspire your own compositions.
9. Show the personality of your wildlife.
Technique: Photos will be shown
1. SHUTTER SPEED AND APERTURE:
Shutter speed is critical in shooting flying birds. The type of bird and how fast
it flies, can determine the shutter speed needed. Large wading birds generally can be stopped at a slower shutter speed than smaller birds who have a tendency to fly faster. Try to shoot the birds at a shutter speed greater than 1/1000 sec. It may be necessary to increase the ISO and enlarge the aperture to achieve this.
For landscapes, a small aperture ( large f stop no.) is effective. If it is a bright day, set camera on ISO 250,,, if it is a dark day,,, ISO 400 will work better.
2. LIGHTING:
The single most important element in outdoor photography.
*Your eyes must become finely tuned instruments in light assessment.
Understand that your eyes see lighting conditions differently than the camera.
We will work with exposure compensation to improve lighting conditions.
Reflectors and diffusers could be useful tools in the field with plants and flowers that are within close range.
3. DEPTH OF FIELD
Another crucial element of photography.
If available on your camera, learn to use the DEPTH OF FIELD PREVIEW BUTTON. One must understand that what you see in the viewfinder is not what you always get in the final photo. When you look through the viewfinder, you are actually seeing the image at the widest aperture setting. This may not be the aperture setting the camera is set to. By depressing the depth of field preview button before you press the shutter,,, you will actually see what is in focus. It is also invaluable in determining the background.
4. METERING:
This is tricky.
Most of the time you will use matrix metering, however, consider using spot metering if birds are brighter than the background.
5. COLOR:
There are subliminal effects of harmonic color combinations. Combining colors that are opposites on the color wheel are effective. Examples of great color combinations: red -green, blue-yellow, purple - green. Color enhances composition and captures the viewer’s attention instantly.
6. TEXTURES:
Lighting reveals texture. At the swamp, look for interesting textures in plant life, tupelo and cypress trees, ferns, etc. Use depth of field to create the composition.
7. PATTERNS:
Sometimes by changing position of the subject creates different patterns in composition. Look for lines and diagonals. Work with shadows on the water for an abstract effect.
PREPARATIONS:
Read your camera manual before the shoot …… ( if lost, manuals can be found online … look under your camera manufacturer’s website)
You may use programmed modes if you so desire, in most situations,I shoot in the Aperture Priority Mode on my camera.
To get the most out of the workshop it would be advisable to :
Understand how to change ISO and white balance
Understand how to bring up the histogram, if possible
Understand where the depth of field preview button is located (only on SLRs)
WHAT TO WEAR:
Layers of dark clothing if temperatures are still chilly
Long pants could be a helpful deterrent to poison ivy which is common along some of the trails.
.
Sturdy shoes,,, there are flat trails on and off wooden boardwalks
Hats
Sunscreen
Bug spray is recommended, but not always needed for mosquitoes. The balanced ecosystem is a check and balance system for mosquitoes at the swamp!
WHAT TO BRING:
Camera!!!!!
Flash ( if desired )
Memory Cards
Charged Camera and /or flash batteries
****** Plastic bags large enough to cover equipment in case of rain
Lens:
Wide angle zooms…. for those interested in shooting landscapes
Telephoto…… 70-200, 70-300 great… anything will work!
Lens cleaning cloth
OPTIONALS:
Tripod and / or monopod
Polarizing filter
Enhancing filter
Teleconverters
Backpack for equipment
ACCESSORIES:
Binoculars
Cell Phone
Bottled Water
Magnolia Plantation is located on Highway 61
3550 Ashley River Road
A map is available online: www.magnoliaplantation.com
Bathroom facilities are available…. They aren’t luxurious nor are they always conveniently located,,,, a word to the wise… don’t drink a gallon of coffee or eat a box of bran flakes the morning of the workshop!!!!!!!!!!!
Your admission fee will cover the swamp and garden the entire day, hours are 8am to 5pm.
Workshop Assignments:
Produce … 3-5 images for the critique session. The session is scheduled for April 14, 10:00 a.m. at the Sandcastle. Don’t worry about this,,,, the images don‘t have to be your best. We can talk about how to improve ones that may cause technical dilemmas or pose questions.
Challenge yourself… take a particular subject and shoot it 4 or 5 different ways. Keep in mind some of the techniques described in the prep session.
Determine what kind of category you fall into:
The photographer who: thinks first then makes the photo!
OR
The photographer who: first makes the photo then thinks!
GOOD LUCK …. WISHING YOU INSPIRATION PATIENCE and FUN ….
I TRULY HOPE ALL PARTICIPANTS ENJOY MY WORKSHOP AND FIND IT A UNIQUE LEARNING EXPERIENCE…… pamela