Spring is here, and summer is on the horizon. Usually, this transition means it’s high time to get out and play. Hikers and backpackers would be logging their first hikes of the season, trail runners would be bemoaning muddy trails, and spring hunters would be preparing for turkey season. For anglers, waders would soon be stowed in favor of wet wading, iced rod guides would become a nightmare from seemingly ages past, and sunburns would be sated with bountiful beers with buddies after a long day on the water.
Current events and the disruption of COVID-19 have impacted everyone in different ways. One thing we can all unite around is that, at least for the moment and the months to come, it’s changed the way we recreate. For folks like myself, whose livelihood depends on time spent in airplanes and the ability to travel and work abroad, the past month has been a paradigm-changer.
We’ll see how it all shakes out.
For the interim, it’s time to turn our focus from grand international expeditions to the work we can accomplish at home. My 550-square foot Missoula, Montana, apartment has functioned as a makeshift photo studio for some time, but the past month it’s seen overuse (to put it lightly). For those of you with larger homes or even yards to play in (or if you live in spartan quarters like mine and want to get creative), I’ve decided to break down my top ten photography tips. These tips will be shared on my Instagram and Facebook pages, and I’ll likely compile them all here on the blog once the series is finished.
Because really, there’s no time like the present to polish up some skills.
Thanks to modern technology, it’s possible to take high-quality images with the phone you carry in your pocket. It’s no longer necessary for casual adventurers to carry around the 20+ pounds of gear professionals often must. Regardless of whether you’re shooting an iPhone or DSLR camera, the key to strong images is how you shoot, not what you shoot.
Whether you are an aspiring professional photographer looking to boost your skills or a currently home-bound outdoor recreation enthusiast with a penchant for the artistic side of things, the basics are the basics.
Over the next ten days I’ll be sharing a tip each day that you can practice at home. Images from past travels will illustrate each point, but every tip will have something you can practice at home, regardless of whether home is a small urban apartment or a mansion in the woods.
Each day, leave a comment and let me know what you learned, what surprised you, or what tactics you’ll take into the field once we’re all roaming the globe once again.