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Take Charge of the Beach, No Matter What The Weather Does
Outdoor Beach Photography Light Stand

Professional photographers know that shooting outdoors can yield award-winning photos, but it can also be a disaster if the weather is not cooperative. If the weather does pose a challenge having the right equipment can make all the difference. An outdoor photography light stand, particularly one that is versatile, durable and stable can mean the difference between a successful shoot and broken equipment.

While beach photos are in high demand, they can also be one of the most difficult locations to manage due to the changes of wind and occasional harsh lighting. With a professional outdoor photo light stand, the goal of creating a stunning collection of photos becomes more obtainable. A great photo moment can be easily lost if you photo light stand is blown over.  In contrast, having a light situated on a dependable stand can mean a few more shots as the day is drawing to a close, one of which can end up being the best shot of the day.

Photography light stands can be vital to a beach shoot. However, they can also be a challenge to transport due to weight and awkward size. With a perfect spot for the photo shoot in mind, the photographer then has to decide what equipment is vital to have and what can be sacrificed. This is especially true if that perfect spot is a long hike, across deep and shifting sand, from the vehicle.

In a world of shifting sand, ever-changing tides and quickly moving cloud cover, the beach is also a scene that can change unpredictably. With this in mind, a photography light stand must be able to grip the terrain and create a stable platform for the equipment, yet must be easily moved when the tide rises or the storm clouds roll in. Historically, photography light stands have been bulky and yet another piece of equipment that wears with age. With a durable and lightweight stand that can be carried one-handed and depended upon to remain intact, a photographer can stay focused on the subject and not distracted by equipment failure.

Another feature that can make an outdoor photography light stand a piece of equipment that can’t be left behind is its versatility. With a stand that can hold a variety of lights, either a strobe or flash, the photographer can depend on that stand for multiple shots, rather than debating the use of carrying two or more photography light stands to help fulfill the vision the photographer is creating. Perhaps the biggest benefit of using a quality outdoor photography light stands at a beach shoot is creating the photo you are looking for by your deadline. When it is the last day, or two days past the last day, of a shoot, and the perfect shot has remained elusive, having an outdoor photo light stand that does it’s job can mean the difference between success and failure. To check out the light, strong, and steadfast Turfstand outdoor light stand click here.

Tricks of the Trade: Outdoor Photography Lighting

Lighting in outdoor photography can be a natural asset and a difficult challenge to overcome. However with some simple tips in mind, the desire to succeed,the courage to experiment, as well as the use of a quality outdoor photo light stand you have the opportunity to create breathtaking photos.

Here are some tips to get you started.

• An important thing to keep in mind for outdoor photo lighting is optimizing the use of the natural light. This means doing the majority of the shoot at dawn or dusk, when the light is not directly overhead and therefore less likely to cause harsh shadows.

• It also means using flash to help balance the light that is available and recognizing the benefits that clouds bring – namely, diffusing the light naturally.

• Another factor to remember when considering outdoor photography lighting is the elimination of lens flare and the prevention of the subject showing up as a silhouette. Both of these results can be avoided by keeping the sun behind the photographer during the shoot.

• For those times when the sun is rising or setting and adds light to a portion of the shot but is insufficient, an outdoor photo light stand can be used to balance the light as necessary.

• It is important to note that outdoor photo shoots during evening hours will require longer exposures.

A variety of lighting techniques can be used during outdoor photography lighting. These include front lighting, side lighting and backlighting, all of which can create dramatic differences in the photo.

• Front lighting can be beneficial if the photographer is attempting to get a photo with less depth. Unfortunately, the subject tends to be more uncomfortable when front lighting is used and it may result in a bland photo.

• Side lighting provides the best depth and texture. This is usually used for black and white photography. This is one opportunity to use an outdoor photo light stand to help balance the natural light and give depth to the highest priority areas.

• Backlighting provides a silhouette effect for the subject of the photo. In this situation, however, reflectors or fill flash are needed in order to provide details of the subject’s face.

Outdoor photography lighting can be a challenge to the most experienced photographer, but it can be successful if the person behind the camera has done some research and is willing to experiment to find the ideal mixture of lighting and other environmental factors at the time of the photo shoot. An outdoor photo light stand is only one of many pieces of equipment that can be used to help the photographer balance the unpredictable environment found while photographing in nature.

Outdoor Dramatic Lighting Tips

In order to make dramatic lighting work magic in your photographs, you need to understand how to incorporate some elements like strobes and speed lights in your photography. While some of these techniques may seem intimidating once you understand them, your photos will improve significantly.

Here are some outdoor lighting photography tips:

•  Using single strobes to come up with great dramatic images: In this case, you can use a beauty dish to act as your light modifier. Place the light modifier above the subject’s head and step back about 2 or 3 feet. In essence, the light modifier should be close to the subject without imposing on your image. You can then shoot at a shutter speed of 125 to 250. Low power can help to keep the image dark and dramatic.

• Using triple strobes to enhance outdoor lighting photography: In this case, you are using two soft boxes and a beauty dish. When you are placing the soft boxes, bear in mind that keeping them further away from each other makes the light harsh and moving them closer makes the light soft. Harsh light is ok as you have enough power. Outdoor photography lighting is about understanding your subject and the kind of light that works best for them. For instance, athletes might require more harsh light as opposed to a model. Use the beauty dish to light the subjects up but do not spoil the drama by overpowering the soft boxes.

• Experiment: In photography, you can’t learn if you are not willing to try new things. Step outside your comfort zone. In order to master outdoor lighting, experiment with ways to light your subjects by being as creative as possible.

•  Schedule your shots to avoid too much sun: It can be frustrating to deal with the harsh natural light from the sun. To be on the safe side, schedule your sessions to take place around sunset. This will also help your subjects to be comfortable and avoid squinting due to direct sunlight.

•  Use a dependable photo light stand: You need a lightweight stand to carry your lighting equipment. Setting up lighting accessories in a stand that is unstable can be risky. You can lose all your equipment if they fall. Invest in a good outdoor photo light stand, like the Turfstand as you prepare to take great outdoor shots.

Outdoor Family Photography Tips

Every family takes pride in their beautiful portrait hanging on the wall at home. Achieving this perfect family portrait is not as easy as it appears. A good photographer must combine skill and expertise with the right equipment, such as a photography light stand to help him or her create an interesting and dramatic family portrait. The following tips will help enhance your family photos.

• Pay attention to the background. If you want to produce lively photographs, make sure you choose a background that complements the subject. The colors, objects, and images in the background should not detract from the family.

• Take your time. Group photos often turn out poorly when photographers rush during their sessions. Make sure you compose your photograph before you actually take it. Position your photo light stand in the right place to ensure you like the look prior to taking a shot.

• Avoid stiff portraits by posing in different directions. Many new photographers often make the mistake of lining everyone up in one direction that faces the camera. This creates an illusion of stiffness and even weight gain while exaggerating everyone’s body types. You can avoid this by asking family members to pose with their knees and toes pointed 45 degrees away from the camera. People will then look leaner and more flattering in the resulting portrait.

• Step back to avoid a blurry background. You should not shoot group shots close to the subjects because of the number of people in the photograph. If you move your photography light stand back it will help you produce a sharper image. In such cases you should use a wide-angle lens.

• Always take dependable equipment. One of the most important pieces of equipment to carry with you in any outdoor photo shoot is the photography light stand. To avoid some embarrassment make sure your stand is durable enough to remain stable on various terrains. Also keep in mind some of the other challenges of outdoor photography such as wind and remember to bring a firm light stand to avoid spoiling the event.

Taking the time to master the correct processes of shooting outdoor photography will help you produce many beautiful outdoor family portraits for several years to come.

Nature Photography Tips

Photographing nature takes more than just skill; it takes passion. The proper outdoor photography lighting equipment will also go a long way to give you the proper shot you’re after. Here are a few tips to help you take amazing nature photographs.

• Tip 1: Understand your subject

Some skilled nature photographers study their subject days before conducting the shot. They study the feeding or living habits of the animal, insects, or birds. In the case of plants or flowers then take time to study the effect of light during certain times of the day. Carry your equipment including your photo light stand and familiarize yourself with the setting so that you will not miss out on a great shot.

•  Tip 2: Understand your equipment

The right equipment plays a very important role in giving you the perfect shot. For example make sure the photo light stand you use is durable and versatile so that you can use a number of lighting tools with it. Familiarize yourself with the settings on your camera so that you already know what works best for nature photos. For instance, you must know that shutter speed helps to create different versions of your subject so experiment with it beforehand.

• Tip 3: Set up proper lighting

When photographing nature, it’s best to use an outdoor photography light stand to help you come up with proper lighting. The most important elements in lighting are light direction, quality, and temperature.

1. Light quality: This can be classified into two; diffused and spectacular light. On an overcast day, the sun’s light comes through the clouds and it is considered diffused light. This lighting is suited best in forest scenes, waterfalls, and up close nature scenes.

 Spectacular light is seen on a clear day when the sun is shining directly. It casts harsh shadows making it hard for the photographer to come up with a great shot. However, the right camera mechanisms used together with a dependable photo light stand and lighting equipment helps.

2. Light direction: This is basically the direction of light within a shot. Front light is best when the scene has a good number of strong colors and tones whereas sidelight works well in textured landscapes. Backlight is great if you want to create a silhouette since it emphasizes shapes and forms.

3. Light temperature: This refers to the color of light that is experienced throughout the day. Light temperatures keep on changing throughout the day and unlike our eyes, which naturally adjust, the film cannot correct such changes. Photographers use digital cameras with a white balance, which can be set to daylight to allow for the film to adjust to light temperature changes.

Landscape Photography Lighting

Landscape photography is the soup du jour for many photographers today. Capturing the stunning images of a mountain range, hillside, or even a lone tree standing in a field of flowers is breathtaking, exciting, and at its heart, challenging. While outdoor lighting is typically ideal for photos, there are some instances where a photographer will discover that the natural outdoor light needs a bit of a boost.

Research Your Locations

Before traveling miles to capture some amazing images of landscape photography, do your research. Learn about which seasons are most photogenic for your location of choice. Some landscapes look best in the crisp cold of a fresh snowfall, and others are stunning at the peak of the fall foliage season. Do not waste your time and money by traveling to a location only to be disappointed by its lackluster appearance.

Be Mindful of the Lighting

A photograph can rise and fall because of lighting. Knowing the time of sunrise and sunset, as well as the direction and location of the sun at certain points, can help you immensely during your photography session. Be prepared for clouds and less-than-ideal sunlight. Make sure to bring your standard flash, as well as an external flash to help you use your light creatively. If your ideal shot needs some additional illumination, set up an outdoor light stand that is designed to flawlessly illuminate outdoor shots in a snap. For windy conditions, uneven ground or any environment that might threaten to knock over your photo light stand, opt for a specialized Turfstand outdoor photo light stand over lugging bags of sand as anchors. The light stand is designed to snap together with little effort and provide durable, sturdy lighting for all sorts of outdoor lighting issues.

Choose Your Composition

The composition of landscape photography is a rather subjective area. What composes a ‘good’ photo to one person might be entirely different when asking a second person. It is important to frame your landscape image thoughtfully. Include in the frame only those things that you would want to show to a person who has never been to the location. Avoiding cars, road signs, and utility poles can provide you with a clutter-free photograph that focuses on the natural beauty of the location. Conversely, if you are shooting an urban landscape photograph, it might be the “clutter” that makes the photo and you may want to include every street sign, pedestrian, and yellow cab that you can capture in frame. Trust your photographers eye and you will undoubtedly create the image that you desire.