Photography

Against the light

One can get some really interesting effects with the sun (or a light source) behind the subject. What works for me is to shoot in Raw, use manual mode, use as low an F-stop as possible and under-expose by 1/3 to 1 stop. A lens hood is essential for these types of shots Don't try and shoot directly at the source of light, but rather at a slight angle so that the lens hood blocks any lens-flare.


Mount Sheba

A series taken about an hour before sunset from trails in the Mount Sheba Resort.


Fig 1. Tree fern: Canon 7D, Canon 18-135 at 37mm, 1/160s, F/9

The problem with Fig 1, and several others, is that I should have gotten a bit lower.


Fig 2. Protea: Canon 7D, Canon 18-135 at 52mm, 1/100s, F/9

Fig 2 does not really fall into the against the light category as I was almost at a right angle to the sun. However, you still do get a feeling of the light coming through the leaves.


Fig 3. Unknown species: Canon 7D, Canon 18-135 at 57mm, 1/30s, F/9

I can't find the name of the species of plant shown if Fig 3 in any of my reference books, but will update when I do. I really do like the effect that I got here.


Fig 4. Protea: Canon 7D, Canon 18-135 at 18mm, 1/100s, F/7.1

Fig 5. Protea: Canon 7D, Canon 18-135 at 38mm, 1/100s, F/7.1


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