Ever wondered how motion can be captured in still photography? Or how sunset and sunrise photos always seem to come out over or underexposed?
Photographers have a variety of tools in their kit bags. Some of the most interesting effects are from a tiny lens fitted over the camera lens; not from any unique skillsets with photo editing software. With the right equipment, anyone can take stunning photos outdoors, in any light conditions without knowing a thing about photo editing. It’s all in the lens selection.
3 Interesting Digital Camera Lenses for Shooting Photos Outdoors
Polarising Filters
Just like polarised sunglasses, polarising filters reduce glare from sunlight.
For taking outdoor photos anywhere near reflective surfaces, be that winter photos with the ground covered in snow, or taking a picture of the water at the beach, lake or pond, the surface reflects sunlight. Polarising lenses reduce those reflections. For landscape photography, these enhance the photos.
Neutral Density (ND) Filters
Neutral density filters are used for long exposure photography. The type you would take with a slow shutter speed. ND filters have different strengths ranging from ND2 (lowest), right up to ND100000. The vast majority are variable ratings of ND2-400. The lower settings of ND2 to ND8 are typically used for portraits. For long exposure landscape photography where you want to capture movement with a slow shutter speed, that’s when the ND400 and upwards ratings are handy.
The higher the rating, the slower the speed, and the more the motion picture is blurred. It is a handy filter for capturing stormy seas, moving clouds, and if you happen to be out during high winds that are strong enough to blow a waterfall backwards, the ND filter is ideal for capturing the motion in the form of blurriness without distorting the surrounding scenery. Moving water becomes sort of like blurred chalk mimicking the motion in view.
In addition to standard ND filters, there are also graduated ND filters which are only useful for outdoors. These are for balancing the light exposure at sunrise and sunset.
If you’ve ever tried taking a photograph at sunrise or sunset, the sky in the foreground of the photo is almost always overexposed or underexposed. Graduated ND filters fix that.
Graduated Colour Filters
Graduated colour filters add colour effects to your photos. These are available in various colours. When attached, you can enhance the foreground colour in the photo. As an example, photographing clouds before a storm with a yellow filter darkens the clouds. Rather than having white on blue, the outcome is a sepia effect with the clouds turning grey to black against a yellow backdrop.
Red filters make dark shades darker. These add a dramatic effect to architectural photos by highlighting shadows. When photographing what most refer to as ‘red skies’, it is orange filters that enhance that effect. Our brains recognise colours differently from what is captured through a camera lens. That’s the reason to use graduated colour filters. It can make photos more realistic, and add a touch of drama for better effect without distorting the moment the photo was taken.
Frame the Best and Save the Rest
Filters on camera lenses add subtle differences that photo editing software can never truly replicate. When you take a photo with the appropriate lens, the light is already adapted in the photo. There is less of a need for editing before printing to reduce colour saturation, contrast, brightness, or even add a colour filter to completely transform it from what was originally taken.
The more exploring and experimenting with different camera lenses you do, the bigger a collection you will accumulate. The more photos you have saved, the more choice you have for changing up your displays any time you fancy.
For that, all you need is a subtle frame in a neutral colour tone to go with almost any colour scheme. White mount boards are ideal for picture frames intended to have the photos swapped out periodically.
Moreover, if you plan to sell your photography as prints, it can help to have at least one print framed to use as a display piece either at a photo exhibition or by taking a photo of the framed print to use as a digital display, with a note stating the frame is not included. Or include it if you want to add a personal touch.