Amateur Photographer Advanced Photography Skills.

Of all of the genres in photography it is landscapes that are probably the most accessible to amateur photographers. To take good landscape images you don’t need expensive lighting kit, and you won’t feel nervous as you may taking photos in the street or taking a portrait in the studio. Instead all you need is a camera, your feet and some patience, often a lot of patience. Whilst it is the simplicity of the landscape image that is appealing, it is the sense of exploration and adventure that perhaps draws so many people to taking these images. We often start by looking at landscape images and visiting some of the classic tried and tested locations, but it isn’t long before we are exploring for ourselves, walking down paths untrodden, and searching…

Look through most photography magazines and you will see the same locations time and again. There are countless sites all over the UK that are notorious for photographers almost having to queue up to take photographs. Places such as Durdle Door in Dorset, or the wooden jetties on Derwent Water in the Lake District, are fantastic locations, but with so many images of them already existing, it is difficult to make your photograph stand out from the rest. While it isn’t necessarily a bad thing to have a great photograph that is similar to someone else’s, it is nicer to have your own unique image from your own location, or at least to see how you can photograph the more famous locations differently. Thanks to the internet, it is now possible…

Besides camera equipment, there are a number of other items you should pack. If you are heading off the beaten track in the Lake District, Brecon Beacons, Dartmoor or a similarly remote landscape, a map and compass should be high on your list. Despite mobile phones being able to access maps, many will require an internet connection that may not be available in a remote landscape. Similarly, mobile phone batteries can also die. With this in mind, make sure your mobile is fully charged and use an in-car charger to keep it topped up while travelling between locations. A back-up USB battery is also a great way to keep your phone, and possibly even your camera battery, topped up with power. The most obvious advice of all is to take a…

As unpredictable as the British weather can be, most 24-hour forecasts are reasonably accurate and offer at least an idea of what you may be faced with before heading out. So make sure you check the weather beforehand and, if you are determined to head out even in the pouring rain, make sure you have packed your camera kit and clothing accordingly. It may seem like common sense, but when that 10% chance of a downpour materialises you’ll be thankful that you packed a waterproof jacket and your camera in its water-resistant case. Checking the weather will not only help you decide whether it is worth getting out of bed or to remind you to take a coat – it can also help to prevent a dangerous situation. Although some of…

MAPS AND NAVIGATION It seems obvious, but any good landscape photographer should know where they are in the world, and how to get there. A good mapping app is a must, but to save time getting to your location a navigation app with current traffic info is also useful. GOOGLE MAPS FREE ANDROID https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps. maps&hl=en APPLE https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/google-maps/id585027354?mt=8 Although Apple devices come with Apple’s own app software as standard, it is still worth installing Google’s version for its extensive landmark listings and links to locations, especially as it also includes turn by turn navigation. WAZE FREE ANDROID AND IOS www.waze.com Waze is a fantastic navigation app that relies on feedback from its users to judge traffic conditions. For example, Waze knows if you are driving at 5mph on a 50mph stretch of road, and will see this is a build up of…

Whether you are just getting started, or are looking to fill a gap in your landscape lens line-up, there are some excellent third-party secondhand bargains to look out for. Here we look at some of the lenses that you should consider giving a place in your camera bag SIGMA 30MM F/1.4 EX DC HSM £150-£220 It may recently have been replaced by an all-new model in Sigma’s Art line, but the 30mm f/1.4 is still a very fine lens. It uses a Hyper Sonic Motor for silent autofocus, with full-time manual override available at any time. As is usual for Sigma’s EX lenses, build quality is very good, and the lens is available for all SLR systems. The 30mm is the only third-party, fast ‘standard’ prime for APS-C DSLRs, offering a 45mm equivalent angle…