Go Take a Hike!

...seriously, go take a hike! 

If you're like me, the warmer weather means more time outdoors -- so get out, go take a hike! And while your at it, take your camera with you!!

Whether you are carrying a little point and shoot or you are a serious photo enthusiast (or anywhere in between), there is something out there for everyone to take a shot of.  You might be surprised at what you find!

Just the other day, I took my camera for a walk and decided to go off the beaten path.  I have my usual spots, but this time I wanted to go somewhere different... somewhere I hadn't been before. I discovered a fairly new bridge that had recently been constructed as a part the renovations to a local state park (and in conjunction with the local rails-to-trails program, I'm guessing.)

The color of the bridge, the pattern of the shadows and the texture of the sky all combined to make this little gem a great photo opportunity! However, take a closer look at the picture... I didn't just stand in the middle of the bridge and take a picture, NO!  Notice the positioning of my camera and the perspective angle.  Here's a few tips...

1.) I tilted the camera slightly.  Sometimes a straight on shot can work if you compose it just right, but in this instance, by angling the camera, I was able to capture a more dramatic rise of the bridge rails.  (You'll notice I use this OFTEN)

2.) Get low.  Take your camera to new heights!  (or lows, as the case may be).  My camera was about 12" off the ground.  I was actually laying on my stomach to take this shot.  Move around when taking pictures.  Look at things differently... anyone can stand there and take a picture, instead; lay on the ground, climb a tree, if you have a camera with a flip-screen LCD viewer then hold the camera above your head... try it... you may be surprised at how it changes your photos!

3.) Check your balance and composition. This is something that's not so easily taught, unfortunately.  But, don't be afraid to make your photos "un-balanced".  Notice how there is more of the bridge on the right than the left and the right is higher in the frame.  Seems simple enough, but this is something that most people are VERY uncomfortable doing.


Here's another "trick" that you can try when you're out and about... almost anyone can do this with any camera as long as you have a manual setting and a tripod.

This is pretty basic, so for those of you more "photographically advanced" readers, bare with me...

I'll call it; Blurry Water, for lack of a better term right now... check out the two pics below.  Notice how the water is blurred, but the rocks and leave are crystal clear?  I took these pictures pretty quickly, so the composition isn't the best, but for this purpose, it will have to do. (not my most creative work)

...Here's how.  After setting your tripod and composing your shot in the frame of course, set your f-stop or aperture as high (or small) as it will go.  Then slow your shutter speed way down.  For example, these pics were taken at F/36 and .62.  (if those numbers are Greek to you, refer to your manual - or maybe I'll explain it in a later post).  You may have to play around with these settings to find the right balance.  The smaller (or higher) aperture setting will decrease the amount of light coming in to the camera so you can slow the shutter speed down enough  to blur the movement of the water.  To keep the clarity of the objects that are standing still - the rocks and leaves, you'll need to use a tripod.  Its VERY difficult to hold your camera steady enough to be successful when trying this.  However, if you don't have a tripod, use your timer and steady your camera on a rock or log or even the ground.  Like I said, this was a pretty simple composition of a a pretty non-remarkable water scape, but you can see how you could produce some pretty cool effects with a much more "scenic" water feature.

The other benefit to taking your camera on your adventure is that you NEVER know what your going to see...  (actually, I usually have a camera within arms length at anytime for the same reason - not just on hikes!)  In this next picture, I captured a groundhog up a tree... its something that I've never seen before and doubt I ever will again, but at least I've got the proof!!

So, on the next nice day, get up, get out and get off the couch... go take a hike and grab your camera on the way out the door!!!

As always, I'd love to hear your feedback or see YOUR photos... so feel free to leave a comment here or contact me on Facebook or Twitter!

To see a few more of my travel and adventure photos, check out my travel gallery at http://stevekeeferphotography.smugmug.com/Travel/Travel-and-Adventure/18253956_hJLcSC


Thanks for tuning in...

Steve Keefer
www.stevekeeferphotography.com
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter
@photosoup
http://www.facebook.com/stevekeeferphotography

So, here's the thing...

So, here's the thing... I've never considered myself much of a writer or a blogger... heck, I'm not even all that great at spelling, but, I guess that's the beauty of the Internet and social media these days;  You don't really have to be good at any of that!  You simply post what you want. If people read it, great! If not, well, no harm, no foul.

Over the past few years, I had quite a few people suggest that I start a blog to tell the story behind my art and photography.  To be honest, I never thought people would be interested... So, if at least one person (besides my wife) actually starts to follow me - I'll consider it a success!!

So, here goes... my first official blog, where I'll attempt to tell the story behind the photos and make it interesting.  I've had a pretty eventful life... some of it interesting, some of it, not so much... so every now and then, I'll throw in some personal facts about my life... I'll try to be selective.

Word of warning;  I type like I speak...and since the writing word is very two dimensional, you may have to use your imagination, have an occasionally warped sense of humor and follow along closely to stay on the same page with me at times! Oh, and don't expect perfect grammar or punctuation either!

I've always been taught that, before you are about to speak to an audience, you should give yourself credibility... in this case, I should answer the question; Who am I to write a blog???

Well, I'm not sure I have a good answer to that...but, in addition to being someone who loves life, in the past 25 years, I have been a photographer, a graphic designer and a marketing consultant. I have also been a political consultant, an IT director, a creative director and a marketing director. I have owned several businesses.  I worked for the state house of representatives for many years and was even a candidate for office once. My work has appeared in a variety of local, regional and national publications including The New Yorker Magazine, USA Today and The New York Times.  Above all though, my most important roles have been as a father, husband, brother and son. I love my family. My wife, children and family are amazing and without their continued support, I would be nowhere.

After suffering a major set-back a few years ago, that completely changed my life, I'm currently a photographer and artist who is still trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up - IF he ever grows up!

So, there it is.  My first official blog post.  If you're still reading, I hope you'll tune in for the next post, which I promise will have more to do with photography and less about me!

Thanks for tuning in!!