I know, I may get called out for using the term "selfie" for these photos. Maybe some would prefer to call these self-portraits. Whatever... The point is, these are photos I took of myself. Why, you ask? Good question!
Taking good photos isn't simple. It takes planning. It requires a location. It requires you have the appropriate equipment, and so on...
Add to this, I just plain and simple wanted to get some exercise! So, I decided to get out there, explore, search for cool locations, try different angles, cameras, lenses, times of day, etc... All the sorts of things you don't want to be doing when you have a client with you!
The photo above is kind of what got me started with this. I got up early one January morning and drove to a local mountain top, hiked the rest of the way and set up. And the response to this photo was great!
Forward to now, and I'm just enjoying the exercise, the fresh air and the new locations I've been stumbling upon. Sometimes, like in the photo above, I get a photo and then get soaked by a downpour. All part of the experience! And a good test of gear. I make sure to have my weather resistant lenses and cameras with me when there's a chance of wet weather.
Some scenes just look so grand I want to hop in them so I have to work with the limitations of my self-timer on my camera and run! One of my cameras does have wi-fi control but it doesn't function from this range...
Although, it means more running back and forth, you can play around with different compositions...
You can make those tourism, promotional - looking photos ;)
And you can test lighting in some weird and challenging places. It's harder than you might think to balance outdoor ambient light (lush,green background) with the flash lighting this cave!
Sometimes the natural light is just awesome and the surroundings are like a scene out of National Geographic Magazine.
Then there are more serine locations where all you hear is the river beside you and the birds in the trees.
And every once in a while I'm lucky enough to have my big boy join me for the adventure!
Yes, we do find some very cool locations! There are some amazing caves around here.
And I even tried a self-portrait. Lol!
So, grab your camera and tripod and get out there! Make it happen! Find amazing places. Test your skills. Take your time and compose your shot, then insert yourself into it. What do you have to lose? Nothing! What you have to gain makes it so worth while!
