By : Nikon School Blog | 2 Jan, 2018 |
Historic places, like palaces, forts, temples, mosques, monasteries, or even ruins have many stories to tell, and there lies the chance for the photographer in you to capture the story, your own way.
Before photographing or even visiting a historic site, gather as much information as possible about it. What makes it special? What are the best things which you should see and document? Is there a lesser known but intriguing side?
If you’re shooting a temple famous for its sculptures, then the sculptures must be given top priority. Similarly, if a site is famous for its architecture and geometry, then they must be highlighted in your compositions.
Find out the best time to visit the place to get the best possible light. An otherwise dull structure or ruins can be made attractive if shot in magical light. Avoid shooting in toppish sun.
Popular monuments like the Taj Mahal and the Qutb Minar have been photographed by millions. Try to find new ways to frame them. Don’t hesitate to try; even if the results look weird, it’s still your version.
Don’t forget to frame people along with the monument, or the site. It’s very important to suggest scale of the scene.
Avoid being on wide angle all the time. While you get a panoramic view this way, you may miss out on aspects which only reveal on closer view. So zoom in to concentrate on details.
A historic building is not only about its past. Document its present as well. How the site or monument has survived and is still connected to present day people is also part of its story.
Aperture priority is the preferred mode to shoot historic places and monuments, as having control over Depth-of-field is vital. However, it’s your choice finally.
Try to use the single point AF mode to get maximum sharpness at the area of your choice. By default the camera shoots in auto area, where the main focus may be somewhere else.
While shooting at historic places, do remember that people have seen these images countless times. You must present them with a fresh perspective to get their attention.
And yes, shoot in RAW. You don’t want to miss any opportunity of letting someone use your images at their best quality for some greater purpose, do you?
