A Tip For Travel Photography
Take Pictures of People in Uniform |
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Hi Dale,
I like taking portraits of people when I travel.
Some of my most effective portraits are the easiest to take. They're pictures of people in uniform. Uniforms are an intrinsic part of many national cultures.So, photographic opportunities abound.
Here are a few sample photographs from my travels. In this newsletter I'd like to share a few tips with you. Here are the basics:
I always attempt to have my portraits to tell a story:
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Use the Uniforms to Connect Time & Place
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Follow the Norms You Would For All Portraiture
I hope you'll find these examples and my observations useful!.
Good shooting!
Dale
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Military Guards In Dress Uniform
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Palace Guards In Monaco
- I asked permission of the older guard to take his picture. The younger soldier was part of the public display. So, it was OK to snap his photo.
- A telephoto lens is a must for pictures taken at a distance. The palace guard photo was taken during of a changing-of-the-guard ceremony. I shot from about 200 feet away using a 400mm zoom. The image was so sharp that I could blow it up and see that the writing on the magazine clip in the guard's M-16 was made in Connecticut.
- Try to use design elements, as I did, to frame and give your portrait context. I carefully angled myself to get the opening in back of the young guard and the diagonal shadow as parts of the image.
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19th Century British Soldier in a Traditional Kilt at the Citadel Fortress in Halifax, Canada
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Partners In Rome
- I was impressed by the stylish uniforms and cheerful demeanor of these two officers near the Roman Colosseum. So, I asked if I might take their photo.
- I quickly shot the picture on film, using my forty year-old Nikon TI point-and-shoot. (I had it scanned for this digital image at my lab when my film was developed.)
Here's the memorable part of this story:
After I snapped the shot the older cop said, "OK, Signore. That will be ten Euros for taking our picture!"
My jaw dropped.
Then, the young woman started laughing.
"Don't worry, Signore, I was just joking," quipped the bearded Carabinieri.
We all shared a good laugh!
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Attractive People Make Good Subjects |
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French Police Assistants
- During the summers in French tourist towns the government hires college students to assist the regular police.
- These young people are super-friendly and almost always willing to pose for polite tourists.
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Battlefields Reenactments
- You'll find these types of photos are easy to take throughout the US and overseas.
- A telephoto lens is is a must for the actual reenactments.
- But, it's easy to approach individuals and ask to take their posed or semi-posed pictures.
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Medieval & Local Festivals
- Everyday folks love to get into costumes wherever you travel.
- Look for special events and incorporate them into your vacation plans if you'd like to get a lot of photo opportunities.
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Evening Entertainment Is Included With Many Vacations
- Taking good candid shots of entertainers on stage is easy! Set your camera to the closest white balance, increase the ISO and snap away. (Just be careful that you have clear visual access, shoot without using your flash, and be courteous by not blocking other people in the audience.)
- You can get nice posed candids by simply asking the actors or musicians to look your way. Try to include design elements in your composition.
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Why I Enjoy Shooting Travel Portraits
Photography allows me to meet and interact with a lot nice people. The pictures I bring home are just a bonus. Behind every good picture lies an interesting story. |
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When You Want to Print Your Best Pictures
We're here to give you creative imaging options, the easy way:
Any of our
free programs will allow you to print your
photographs to perfection.
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Please visit our Laboratory Store if you live locally.
Our friendly photo experts will help you get the best prints ever!
Best regards,
Dale
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I hope you find these tips useful.
Please feel free to share this newsletter with friends.
Call us if you have any questions at (954) 925-0103.
We're here to help! Monday - Friday 10AM - 5PM
Saturdays 10AM - 2PM |
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www.dalelabs.com • info@dalelabs.com
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