July 2024 DPA Newsletter
July 2024 DPA Newsletter:
Capture Summer with Macro Photography Tips
Fourth of July Photos
July FinerWorks Winners!
As we step into July, we’re embracing the warmth and vibrancy of summer. This month, let’s capture the essence of summer fun and togetherness with our cameras. Whether it’s beach outings, backyard barbecues, or family vacations, let’s celebrate the joy and beauty of summer through our lenses.
Digital Photo Academy is pleased to bring you the latest updates and photography inspiration in our recently relaunched monthly newsletter. This is all made possible by our valued sponsor, Finerworks.
Photo by Steve Dunwell, a Digital Photo Academy instructor in Boston.
If you want to learn more about Fourth of July photography—including expressive architecture and evocative aerial photography—check out the showcase of photos in Steve Dunwell’s recent newsletter.
Click on Steve’s photo above to check it out!
Macro Summer
Expert Macro Photography Tips and Pics from New D.C. Instructor Christopher Munoz
Summer is here! As some of us are heading to the pool, others are lighting up their backyard barbecues, all while the parking lots at the beaches quickly fill. As all of this hustle and bustle of summer fun commences among the masses, a particular species of human has their eyes on the tiniest details around those bodies of water and those yards that so many others miss. This elusive, mysterious human, curiously peering into every patch of grass or bloom of flowers that grow so abundantly in the warmth, is known to many, as the illustrious macro photographer.
So many people develop an interest in macro photography after purchasing their first camera, because why wouldn’t you!? While starting to point and snap, people’s imaginations start to run wild. And lots of fresh-faced shutter bugs, as their photographic eyes develop, quickly realize the immense world of photographic opportunities that will open up for them if they begin to appreciate the little things.
As a very experienced photographer myself with a love for macro, I have compiled a short list of 4 crucial points that, I believe, are great places for the macro newbie to get started.
1) Scout Locations
And the most beautiful part is, that the location can be just steps from your front door! And don’t think of this in the same way you would think of location for, say, family portraits or even landscapes. A “location” can be the potted plant next to your patio, the patch of flowers where you have your lunch break, or the bush by your bus stop.
Recently, for me, it has been a bloom of milkweed that grows in the woods right behind my place. Or perhaps you make the long drive to your favorite nature reserve for the plethora of opportunities. More power to you! A single nature reserve will have thousands of “locations” to work in. And if you find a patch of wildflowers, you can shoot the “location”, or lean in, look closer, and find an immense variety of subjects willing to model for you therein.
There are almost always some insect and bug buddies willing to strike that pose to give you the shot that you’re looking for.
2) Shoot With the Best Available Light and Consider Light Modifiers
A softer light, as is often the case across different photo genres, is usually what you will be going for. Golden hours (the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset) are great times to work in order to avoid the harsh midday light. But what if you can’t shoot during that time on a particular day? Well, find shade! Perhaps a flower or bush that lays behind a taller tree or on the shady side of a building. This shade will beautifully flatten out the light on your subjects.
Or perhaps it is the brightest part of the day, and you have your eyes on a set of blooms in an open field that you have your heart set on capturing. Try a reflector! Reflectors are a great, inexpensive modifier that you can use to practice bouncing and diffusing light over your small subject in order to achieve this softer light. And if you are willing to spend a few more dollars as you continue to advance, you can start experimenting with a ring flash, which is a flash designed specifically for macro photography to provide the extra pop of light needed to fill in those shadows. There are also specially designed hoods to attach to traditional external flashes that can deliver similar results to those of the ring flash.
3) Don’t Be Scared of High ISO’s
Bump it up! Now I know we all like to keep it nice and low, and for good reason. But the amount of shots that you can achieve per session can increase exponentially if you crank up your sensor’s sensitivity. Even a very slight wind can keep your subjects in a consistent swaying motion that, even if subtle, is not going to get along with slow shutter speeds.
Not to mention how quickly some of our insect and bug friends can move. I would even have given this advice years ago when the noise caused by a higher ISO was a much less manageable issue than it is today. And nowadays, with advancements in a camera’s ability to keep noise at a minimum combined with newer editing technology, even the noisiest shots you achieve can be fixed in post-processing to give you the smoother, more buttery looking composition that you may desire.
4) Enter Their World
The world of macro is a surreal one indeed! Peering through your lens can begin to feel like you are observing an alien world. You will find yourself observing the smallest details from every angle you can as you imagine a scene.
And don’t be afraid of getting a little dirty while you are out shooting. Wear some pants that you don’t mind getting grass stained. Lay down in that less than comfortable looking position as other park goers give you curious glances. As you look through your viewfinder, escape the world you know, and mentally place yourself into the world that you are peering into.
Think of a leaf, not as a small detail of a tree, but a lush landscape on its own. A ladybug walking across the leaves, to you, is a bison walking across the great plains, with the same number of beautiful compositions that can result. Concentrate on all of those little things, until you are enlightened about how gigantic they really are.
Introducing Our New D.C. Instructor: Christopher Munoz
Did you enjoy the macro article by Christopher Munoz? We’re excited to announce that he’ll be joining our team as a photo workshop instructor!
He’ll be teaching Washington D.C. workshops along with our other pro teachers.
Chris discovered his passion for photography while documenting his fishing catches. From capturing songbirds to photographing events, real estate, and food, his talent quickly blossomed. Despite facing a challenging multiple sclerosis diagnosis, Chris’ determination to capture every moment only grew stronger. With over 20 years of experience and a diverse portfolio, he is excited to guide others in their photography journey.
Read more about Chris and see his stunning work here.
July Finerworks Award Winners
Every month, our judges select 2 of our social media members to receive an HD Metal print of one of their photos, printed by our sponsor Finerworks.
We choose one winner from each of our Facebook groups:
“Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” and “Digital Photo Academy Community”
| Posted on our “Digital Photo Academy Community” Facebook group by Eric Tilson: |
| Posted on our “Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” Facebook group by Tobi Steinberg: |
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Access the live cities page on our website to explore upcoming photo workshops in your area. Elevate your photography skills with help from our experienced instructors in interactive sessions!
Our Social Media
Connect, share, and spread cheer! Join our Facebook groups to participate in our monthly prize contests in collaboration with Finerworks.
Facebook Groups:
“Celebrating Senior Shutterbugs” and “Digital Photo Academy Community”
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