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| Photos by Marc Adamus |
| Click photo to see enlarged images. |
Q: How can I keep colors and textures from looking flat?
A: Shoot at the beginning and end of the day -- the angle of the sun makes for better colors, and it accents forms. Keep the light at an angle to your subjects to get both shadows and highlights. But don't shoot with the sun strictly at your back -- it makes for an easy exposure, but it can leave contrasts and textures looking flat.
Use a polarizing filter to cut reflected light on foliage or other surfaces. Be careful shooting at midday, as the contrast range can be very wide. If this is the only time you have to shoot, exploit the contrast -- try monochrome.
Shoot in RAW and fine-tune your images' individual colors in the RAW converter. You can also use image-editing tools such as Curve adjustment to fine-tune contrast and tonality. But avoid increasing overall saturation or contrast in image editing -- it can make for a garish, unnatural rendition.
Columbia River Gorge, OR: Tripod-mounted Canon EOS 5D with 17-40mm f/4L Canon EF lens, 0.8 sec at f/13 through polarizing filter to intensify greens and accentuate water textures, ISO 50.
Q: How do I take pictures of streams and waterfalls that aren't static and boring?
A: Use a slow shutter speed (between 1/15 sec and 1 sec) and a tripod to give the sensation of motion. If needed, use an overall neutral-density filter to allow for slower shutter speeds. But be careful not to use too slow a shutter speed (e.g., 5 sec), because this will turn the rushing water to a soft mist and eliminate texture.
Using a polarizing filter will reduce the glare off water surfaces, intensifying contrast and textures.
Mount Hood Wilderness, OR: Tripod-mounted Canon EOS 5D with 70-200mm f/4L Canon EF lens, 1/2 sec at f/13 through a polarizer to cut glare and intensify rainbow colors, ISO 125.
Landscape photographer Marc Adamus lives in Corvallis, OR. See his work at www.wildphoto.smugmug.com.
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