Tricks and tips

[GrahamH]

Many eyes see many things
Over the years I have heard of several tricks and tips from other photographers and articles, so I thought I would ask people what are their: -
favourite,
most useful,
most useless,
most controversial (but lets not get TOO side tracked, can we be helpful here and post a new thread for the discussion of extremely controversial points),
other,

tricks and tips they have heard of.

Allow me to start (cos I got thinking about this due to another thread).

Useful - BACKGROUND - print off a blurred/out of focus background to use as a portable backdrop for small birds, flowers, other small subjects. The idea is to be in control of your background so the natural background doesn't interfer with the subject.

Controversial - bring a small mouse with you when you want to attract birds of prey.
(I know, cat among the pigeons here, or at least a mouse amongst the hawks).

Graham

[Shadowman]

Many eyes see many things

tricks and tips they have heard of.

Allow me to start (cos I got thinking about this due to another thread).

Controversial - bring a small mouse with you when you want to attract birds of prey.
(I know, cat among the pigeons here, or at least a mouse amongst the hawks).

Graham

Do you tether the mouse to something, I would think you'd go through a lot of mice without?

[GrahamH]

I saw one guy go past me with a cage, I've been told you tether the mouse with some string and stake them out in the open.
To my mind not right, but then I do feed birds with seed.
Graham

[Shadowman]

I saw one guy go past me with a cage, I've been told you tether the mouse with some string and stake them out in the open.
To my mind not right, but then I do feed birds with seed.
Graham

Well your other option is to find a rabbit hutch and setup camp. Not always the hardest thing to do, we have various nests near my place of employment. And as far as the issues of baiting birds, we humans often do a disservice to the animal kingdom by trying to interact with them. We often feed birds and squirrels and they lose their fear of humans, then they start flocking around public places creating a nuisance and then someone gets the idea to exterminate the unwanted pests.

[gerryquiff]

Turn the camera at an angle and shoot, the mundane can sometimes take on a new life at an angle.


Take your glasses off or squint and have a look for colour blocks or patterns. (or throw the lens out of focus to view)


Sit down, look up and see the images that kids see.


When you find a physical barrier that prevents you getting to your subject, don't be scared to incorporate it into your image.

[GrahamH]

Nice ideas, great to incorporate examples as well. thanks.
graham

[gerryquiff]

Nice ideas, great to incorporate examples as well. thanks.
graham

Graham, A picture says a thousand words

[GrahamH]

Shoot on the edge.
Shoot at the edge of changing weather conditions, at the change of the seasons.
And of course, shoot at the edge of the scene to eliminate unwanted elements in camera.
Graham
(just back from a very happy shoot in snow, mud, water and got some great shots (by my standards) see Nature thread - Badlands).