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Beyond Phototips

Photography for the Serious Amateur.

19 Radical Skateboard Photography TipsNovember 28 2008

This guest post is by Brian Auer - a photography enthusiast, blogger, photoblogger, and podcaster.

Skateboard photography can be quite interesting and exciting for a photographer. Skaters can be found in most cities and towns, either in skate parks or out on the streets. Below, you’ll find a collection of skateboard photography tips and great example photos.

The tips aren’t massively in-depth because the intent isn’t to lecture about these things. Instead, take what you can from them, build on them with your own knowledge, and study the photos for inspiration. You’ll also notice that many of these tips can be applied to other types of photography, so keep an open mind while reading.

1. PORTRAITS

Even though the exciting part of photographing skaters is when they’re in action, you shouldn’t forget that they’re still people with a face. If you don’t know the skaters, you might try working up the courage to ask them for a portrait. A lot of these folks are interesting and outgoing - the perfect ingredients for a great portrait.

Kung-Fu For Your PhotographyNovember 23 2008

Kung Fu is the martial art weapon of the masses. It’s inception took ‘force’ out of the exclusive domain of the rulers, and empowered the common man.

Photo: TCM HitchHiker

Similarly, with amateurs putting their work alongside professional photographers on websites like Flickr, the line between master and student is starting to get blurred. How can you make the most of this situation?

Here are a few tips from some Kung Fu masters (in the movies)

1 ) Practice now for the future:
Kung Fu movies show the hero practising intensely before a showdown with an arch nemesis (think Jackie Chan, um, rather, the old-Jackie Chan).

Keeping in good practice ensures that you’re ready to pick up your camera and be ready to capture that brilliant photograph without worrying too much about the technical aspects.

By working out your mistakes before you actually get hired, or before you face that incredibly beautiful scenery, you also ensure that you present a much more professional front while working with a cl

Colour it Black (& White)November 9 2008

Photo:Vincent Boiteau

Black & White photography is obsolete. It is antequated, and exists for no reason at all, save our desire to see the world as we can’t see it. In Black & White.

Of course, history has it’s reasons why Black & White photography had to come first. Even when Colour Photography was first invented, there was good reason why photographs were still taken with Black & White film… It was cheaper.

Photo: Pete Carr

But it’s not the same today… Today there’s no cost involved in choosing be

Dear Reader, Who are you?October 29 2008

Hi there,

Beyond Phototips has been around in it’s current avatar for almost a year now, and things have been wonderful. Thank you for making it such a happy place

Photo: Mystereys

However, I have a problem right now. There are so many things to write about, and I’m not quite sure what would be appropriate for you, the regular Beyond Phototips reader. Right now its a bit like having a one sided conversation.

To help the ‘conversations’ on the site itself happen with a bit more ease, I’ve installed a “Top Commentors” plugin. Hopefully that will help identify the regulars and encourage conversations amongst you.

To help me write more appropriate content for you, I’m asking 7 quick questions. The poll is completely anonymous, but will help improve the quality of content you see here.

BTW, I know these “call to action” posts don’t usually do very well, but think of it as a small investment in your reading habits. It should take you no more than 30 seconds to finish off. I

Tiny Tips 16: Always Use a UV FilterOctober 26 2008

A UV Filter is an important part of every photographer’s kit. This may seem like a no-brainer to any sufficiently advanced photographer reading this post, but to the beginners: take note: this is a very important part of your equipment. Or should be.

Why Should you ‘Always’ use a Ultra Violet filter on your lens?

Because they protect your Photographs, your Lens, and your Investment in Photographic Equipment. UV filters primarily filter out the invisible UltraViolet light that causes ‘haze’ on film (and some dSLR sensors), but their broader list of purposes includes:

• Protecting your lens from dust and flying sand
• Protecting your lens from scratches (I’ve seen some bad scratches avoided because of this filter)
• Protecting your filter mount from getting bent
• Saving your lens by sacrificing itself (filters are housed in aluminium frames, these are soft and absorb impact well even though they’re not meant for this purpose)
• Preventing Sea Spray (and salt) from getting into the lens (for this purpose alone, buy a UV filter)

Some people say that a UV filter reduces the quality of the image that you take. They’re referring to an extremely high level of quality that is not required by most people on this planet. If you want to ensure that your image quality does not deteriorate, simply get a good quality filter and keep it clean.

Remember to get one for each lens that you have. When yo