Shooting Rainbows

“Rainbow” by Peter Horner

Rainbows can be a fickle subject on camera. They only come out when the atmospheric conditions are just right and, even then, they usually don’t stick around for long. Capturing one on film and keeping it true to the awe-inspiring splendor that motivated you to get out your camera in the first place, can present a formidable challenge to any photographer.

That’s why I really enjoyed reading this article by Jason Paterson of fotohacker.com, which greatly demystifies the process of capturing these wondrous spectral images on camera, like lightning in a bottle.

Jason recommends the following:

1. Consider your framing carefully. If your background looks bad, the resulting picture will look bad no matter how beautiful the rainbow is.
2. Use a polarizing filter. This will allow you to get the most vivid and saturated colors from both the sky and the surrounding scenery. More information about polarizing filters can be found here.
3. Use a tripod and a low shutter speed. When you use the polarizing filter, you’re going to lose light. The tripod will make sure the picture remains sharply in focus.

Be sure to read the complete article for additional tips, and be sure to join us next week when we look at how to photograph moonbeams and unicorns.

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Do you have an unedited photo of a unicorn? If so, please let us know in the comments.

Fall and Winter Workshops Announced

“Light Shaft in Keyhole Arch, Antelope Canyon.” by Alain Briot

Alain Briot of Beautiful Landscape has just announced his fall and winter workshop schedule for 2008:

Antelope Canyon Workshop
September 5-9, 2008

John Sorce, a participant of an earlier Antelope Canyon Workshop, speaks highly of the experience, saying he learned a lot and especially enjoyed the community of like-minded fellow photographers who openly shared their knowledge with the group.

Mono Lake and Eastern Sierra Nevada
October 10-14, 2008

Death Valley Winter Workshop
December 5-9, 2008

Speaking of her experiences at Mono Lake and Death Valley, Kathy Swanson says her friends and family have noticed how much her photography has improved since she took the workshops.

While these dates may seem like they’re still a long time away, be forewarned that these workshops typically sell out months in advance, so if you see something you’re interested in, be sure to check out the Workshops FAQ or click on any of the links above for all the details, and then contact Alain or Natalie to secure your place. If you do sign up, be sure to let them know you heard about the workshops on Photobird.com.

Using Your Camera in Cold Temperatures

“Snow 6”
© Copyright David Cresine

Ray Davis is no stranger to cold climes. He used to live in Alaska and decided to winter in Chicago this year, where temperatures frequently fell well below zero.

In spite of the cold — or perhaps because of it — he’s put together some great tips in this article on photodoto.com about how to use your camera outside in cold temps while minimizing the risk of damage.

Ray advises snow photographers to:

1. Invest in a UV filter. This can protect your lens and, if it shatters because of the extreme temperatures, it will only cost 10 bucks to replace.
2. Buy a decent camera bag and keep it warm. Put some padding around the camera and then invest in some hand or foot warmers, which can be purchased from a sporting goods store for very little money. But wrap them up first so they don’t accidentally leak on the camera equipment.
3. Buy a giant zip lock bag. Ray says it’s the damage from cold to warm that can damage your camera, particularly as condensation occurs when the cold air meets hot air. If you put your camera in a zip lock bag and seal the top when bringing it in from the cold outdoors, it will reach room temperature more slowly and is less likely to be damaged by condensation.

If you do find condensation on the camera, don’t turn on the camera. Take the battery and memory card out and let the camera dry completely before use. Check out our post from last week about what to do when your camera gets wet for more tips on drying a wet camera. Also, we recommend this related post, about what kind of gear to bring when taking photos outdoors in low temperatures.

Be sure to read Ray’s complete article for additional tips.

What’s the coldest temperature you’ve ever shot in? Let us know in the comments.

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