Top 10 Photo Skills #9: Use a simple background

A simple clean background draws the viewers attention to the subject matter that you are trying to capture. A good clean wall, and even better of contrasting colour will really bring out the details of your subject.

If you can not find a clean background then think about using a wide aperture (F2.8, F4) to create a contrasting depth of field.

• Colonia, Uruguay
  Sitting in parkland these colourful swings contrasted with the black background
  
  
• Caye Caulkner, Belize
  On the way to the boat to leave our porter rested his bike up against this bright yellow wall, the blue really stands out against its opposite colour.

Top 10 Photo Skills #8: Change the film

But I thought this was a digital age?

Most digital cameras still allow you to change the film settings of your camera to simulate the differences with the old 35mm film cameras that now fill the closet.

So what do these do...

ISO 100 - It is the best in bright sun delivering bright, clear pictures with a striking combination of vibrant, accurate color, and vividly sharp detail. Great for close-ups and still-life shots.

ISO 200 - When you need an all-around performer, thi is it. It turns up the color in variable light with good all-around sharpness. Great for slow to moderate action, this film works in a variety of indoor and outdoor situations.

ISO 400 - When you want a film that does it all with rich color and great sharpness. Ideal for extended flash range, as well as outdoor shots. It has outstanding flexibility in a variety of lighting situations that makes it perfect for sports and action.

ISO 800 - Great for pictures in most light and action conditions. Truly, it’s the speed that adjusts to the widest range of picture-taking conditions.

So play around and notice the differences.

Top 10 Photo Skills #7: Beware the staged photo

One of the harder things to capture whilst travelling is capturing people acting 'normal'. All too often you get caught trying to capture people as they go about their day in their natural environment.

One way to get around this is to use a tele-photo lens. I use a Canon 80-300mm that on my digital body pushes this out to close to 400mm with the sensor magnification.

Another solution is to hold the camera away from your eye. I know this is a bit hit mad miss but you can grab some amazing photos from some un-orthodox angles.

• Lake Titicaca, Peru
  Sitting across the plaza I saw an American couple blowing bubbles and the native girls could not believe their eyes. The symmetry of the two girls really makes the image.
  
  
• Bocas del Toro, Panama
  As I waited for a canoe out to the islands this young girl glanced up for a second. My camera was in my hand by chance and without looking I pulled the trigger.
  

Top 10 Photo Skills #6: Black & White

Displaying images in Black and White really brings out the contrast in images. Through Black and White you can highlight tone, sharpness, emotions and comparisons in your subject matter.

Many people have taken B&W images of people, Ansel Adams inspired me through his photographs of Yosemite and you can really see the dramatic aspect of disaplying images in B&W.

The key for B&W images is light. How does it effect the shapes, angles and textures.

I would recommend shooting in colour if using a digital camera and then converting back on the computer.

• Opera House, Sydney
  Taken from the Harbour Bridge with a tele-photo lens the light cuts terrific sharp edges to the sails. The light also shows off the tile pattern adding texture to the image.
  
  
• Observatory Hill, Sydney
  Looking away from the Harbour Bridge the grand trees silhouette well against the afternoon sky.
  
  
• Circular Quay, Sydney
  The buskers around Circular Quay are an everyday occurrence. The light hit the musicians face just as he looked up into the sky
  
  

Top 10 Photo Skills #5: Be prepared

When on the road shooting travel photos you really do never know when a fantastic image may present itself. Look around, wander the back streets and take an inquisitive eye to every aspect of your travels. Not only does this help you to notice the intricate aspects of a new place but also can present some of the most memorable photos.

• Ushuaia - Chile
  This photo was totally unexpected but I saw the sea gull coming across the view finder and with a large bit of luck I snapped this great moment. I only took the one frame!

• Lencois, Brazil
  Sitting on a bus waiting to leave for yet another 20 hour South American bus ride I was reviewing my photos when this girl sat up and looked over the seat. A split second move with great results.
  

Top 10 Photo Skills #4: Reflections

Looking down is sometimes the best way of looking up!

Look down into a puddle and see if you can capture an interesting twist, walk around the puddle. Stand up straight, kneel down and look for all of the angles to capture the best photo.

Another great tool to have here is a polarizing lens that screws on the end of almost any SLR camera, the swiveling lenses provide different reflective instances. This should be standard in any camera kit.

• El Captain, Yosemite NP USA
  This is taken into the Merced River looking across to El Captain
  
  
• Luna Park, Sydney, Australia
  I noticed this interesting view after a summers rainfall in Sydney. The face of Luna Park is a Sydney icon.

Top 10 Photo Skills #3: Get closer!

To really bring out the best in your subject matter one tool to use is to get in close, and then get in closer. By taking an image that is closer than you would normally view something can really draw in people's attention.

One of the cheapest additions you can buy is a macro filter. I purchased a 4x macro filter a couple of years ago and though it may not grab the uber-professional level of detail I have had some great success with thisrge lens addition.


The images:

• Santiago del Estero Zoo, Argentina.
  Using a 70-300mm lense I was able to get this lazing tiger as he gazed out of the bars. The look in his eye is immense.
  
  
• Mendocino, California
  Using the maco filter here and really tightening up on the centre of the flower. The petals are in high detail and the
  colour contrasts are fantastic. I have split this image up into 9 and it displays really well.
  
  
• Stanislaus National Forest, California
  Using the maco filter here and at F2.8 you get this great depth of field close up on the small white flower elements.
  
  
  

Top 10 Photo Skills #2: Framing your pictures

A great way to add interest to your images is to frame your chosen object on the photo. Be it a door, window, tree branches, cave entrance or a whole in the wall. The list really is endless.

This technique is something that I really like to use and have been using it to different results over the past couple of years. On this post you can see examples that I have taken:

• Morro de Sao Paulo, Brazil. This was taken from inside an old fort looking back across the beach to some leaning palms.
  
  
• Inspiration Point, Yosemite, USA. Taken from the car park the branch really adds an additional element to a classic photo.

It is very simple and yet very effective way of making something simple look or the more engaging.

Top 10 Photo Skills #1: Balance/Composition

The balance of an image is one of the most important aspects between an ordinary and exceptional image.

So what is balance:

• Generally an image can be broken up into thirds. The visual rule of thirds says that major points on an image should sit on the vertical and horizontal thirds.
• It is also important to balance the colours of the image to provoke emotion to the scene.
  

Of course since these are the rules an equally striking image can break all of these rules.