Now i would like to begin this post with an apology for being AWOL. I havent forgotten about this website or photography but being a graduate student, approaching the end of the semester, has its downsides. Due to meetings with supervisors, research work, teaching assistant duties and exam invigilations i just haven't had the time nor the drive to free my DSLR from within the camera bag (cue worlds smallest violin..). Although, with the first 'stay-in' snow storm last monday, here in Fredericton, i was tempted to go out and click a few good ones before the snow flattened. The visibility for low, however, and conditions were actually bad (grip wise). I didn't want to take a tumble down with an expensive lens.
I resorted to my cellphone and actually utilized its flash feature (maybe the first ever time i've used the flash feature on my cellphone). The result can be seen on the right. The feeble flash was actually good enough to brighten the street sign and add a bit of contrast to the otherwise dull picture.
I resorted to my cellphone and actually utilized its flash feature (maybe the first ever time i've used the flash feature on my cellphone). The result can be seen on the right. The feeble flash was actually good enough to brighten the street sign and add a bit of contrast to the otherwise dull picture.
Now that winter is officially here, and xmas carols are over played in every store you visit, it's worthwhile to pause and think if professional-type pictures can be taken with snow everywhere. The answer depends on the terrain and timing. The optimal time to take non subject, scenic based pictures with snow blanketing the surface would be right after a fresh snowfall. Fresh, untouched, snow gives the picture a sense of minimalism and purity. This can't be achieved once pedestrians walk about and compact the ice. It's even worse when snow turns into the brown and disgusting slush we all hate to step into.
What do you do then? Hopefully stumble upon an area of land with no foot traffic and a decent subject that compliments the untouched snow heap. While the picture above models the sunlight against leafless trees, it is ruined by tire marks on the surface. The picture on the right, however, was taken a day later just outside the UNB campus. The tree logs were literally untouched with smooth powdered snow.
I wish i had my DSLR at that point but i was miles away from home, the light was fading fast and i had the perfect composition i wasn't willing to lose. Camera phones to the rescue again!
I wish i had my DSLR at that point but i was miles away from home, the light was fading fast and i had the perfect composition i wasn't willing to lose. Camera phones to the rescue again!
What do you do when you lack either options? Go aerial.
One good part about winter time is that the skies look amazing throughout the day. The trees are missing leaves and create quite the silhouette against dark clouds. Go ahead, give it a try. Just remember to bump up the contrast a bit to give that picture an added punch.
Well this was me giving my 2 cents worth yet again.
Hope you guys have a very Merry Xmas and a happy new year... if the world doesn't end i.e.
cheers
-ABK
One good part about winter time is that the skies look amazing throughout the day. The trees are missing leaves and create quite the silhouette against dark clouds. Go ahead, give it a try. Just remember to bump up the contrast a bit to give that picture an added punch.
Well this was me giving my 2 cents worth yet again.
Hope you guys have a very Merry Xmas and a happy new year... if the world doesn't end i.e.
cheers
-ABK