Walking around with a DSLR camera can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. The camera is heavy and bulky, and you might feel unsure about how to hold it, where to position it, and how to keep it steady while walking. However, with a few tips and techniques, you can walk confidently and comfortably with your DSLR camera and capture stunning photos while on the move.
Table of Contents
Preparation
Carrying a DSLR while walking can help you take amazing photos. But it isn’t easy! Prepare to make sure you get the best results. You’ll need the right gear. Plus, you must understand how to hold it correctly.
This article will guide you through the steps of preparing for a successful shoot.
Choose the right camera and lens
When getting ready to take amazing pictures with your DSLR camera, make sure to pick a good setup. This includes: camera type, lens type, shutter speed and focusing modes.
Camera: Choose the right camera for you and your budget. There are many quality DSLR cameras on the market.
Lens: Lens selection is essential for good shots. For landscape pics, use a wide angle lens. Wildlife pics are better with a telephoto lens.
Shutter speed: Set shutter speed correctly to avoid blurring and over-exposure.
Focusing mode: Select the right focusing mode for your subject. Single point auto focus works best for stationary objects. Use continuous autofocus for moving objects, like birds and sports.
Select the right accessories
Picking photographic accessories? Consider bringing these essentials:
Flash – Low light or control lighting with an extra flash.
Tripod – Support posed or slow shutter shots.
Remote Shutter Trigger – Operate camera shutter without pressing button.
Spare Batteries & Memory Cards – Don’t let low battery or memory card prevent perfect shots.
Lens Filter & Pouch – Protect lenses from dirt and quality impairment.
Lens Hood – Deflect stray light and reduce flare and ghosting.
Research the destination
I always prep for my travels armed with my DSLR. Researching my destination is key – including the weather, terrain and culture. What kind of shots am I searching for? What do I need to be aware of when snapping pics?
Talking with local photographers can shed light on the region’s views. Knowing this will help me plan ahead and anticipate any issues.
Camera Settings
Strolling around with your DSLR? Remember to set it right! The settings make a huge difference in the photos you take. So, think carefully before you snap away! Whether you’re a pro or a beginner, these key settings are worth considering.
Let’s get started!
Set the right ISO
Press the ISO button on your camera to set the correct ISO for shooting with a DSLR. Depending on your model, adjust it manually or with a few presses. Note how it shifts. Higher ISOs give extra light, creating a brighter image and faster shutter speeds. Lower ISOs are better in low-light, but slower shutter speeds with tripods for crisp shots.
Good rule of thumb: lower contrasting light (indoors/cloudy) use ISO 200-800 for best balance. Brighter light (sunlight/daytime) up to 1600, but higher can overexpose.
Select the right shutter speed
Choosing the right shutter speed is vital for a clear, crisp photo. It affects how much of the scene appears in the frame, its sharpness, and lighting.
Shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second. It can be very short (1/500, eg. to freeze motion) or longer than 30 seconds (for night photography). A shorter duration lets in less light and creates more contrast between lights and darks. Longer shutter speeds let in more light, but soften details and reduce blur. If you need to take multiple images for HDR, consider this too.
When selecting a shutter speed, ask yourself:
- What do I want the end result to look like?
- Should it be crisp or blurry?
- Is there movement or activity?
- Is enough light available?
Based on the answers, you should be able to decide between slow (2-30 secs) or fast (1/1000 – 2). Both techniques have their advantages, depending on the effect you want. Knowing when to choose either is key to getting the shot you want.
Adjust the aperture
Controlling the aperture of a DSLR camera will decide how much light can pass through the lens. This can alter the depth of field and the amount of blur in the image. The aperture is expressed as an ‘f-stop’ or f/number. A higher f/number, like f/11, lets in less light and a smaller range of focus will be sharp. However, a lower f/number, such as f/3, will let more light in and reduce the depth of field. This will typically give one focal point that is sharp, allowing you to blur backgrounds for emphasis on your subject—known as ‘bokeh’.
A great way to find the right aperture is to use Av (Aperture Priority). This lets you choose the aperture, while the camera decides the shutter speed and ISO values. This leaves you free to experiment with different apertures!
Camera Care
Walk with a DSLR? Need to take care of it! Be aware of your environment, potential hazards that could hurt your camera. Also, need the right techniques for carrying and using it. Accessories make the walk comfy.
Here are some tips to keep your camera safe:
Protect the camera from dust and moisture
I take precautions when out shooting with my camera. To protect it from dust and moisture, I keep it in a carrying case. It has padding and shock-protection in case of an accidental drop. I also make sure that all seals on the lens or camera body are tightly closed.
For extra protection against dust, I carry a cleaning media blower. Whenever possible, I don’t change the lens in outdoor locations. This reduces the chances of foreign objects entering inside the lens assembly due to static attraction.
Keep your camera safe from falls
Keeping a camera safe from falls is important. I follow these steps when using my DSLR:
- Always use a case with extra padding around the lens and fragile parts.
- Secure the strap around the body while walking. Choose straps that are comfortable and protective.
- Use a tripod when shooting landscapes or static subjects. This helps prevent falls due to heavy equipment.
Clean the lens
I’m always sure to clean my camera lens after every shoot. It’s the most important part of a DSLR camera. To keep it clean, I use lens cleaning products like microfiber cloths and cleaners for digital cameras. When there are fingerprints or smudges, I dampen the cloth with cleaning liquid and lightly wipe in circles. If needed, I use cotton swabs to remove tough marks. I then dry the lens with a soft microfiber cloth.
It’s important to remember that for more serious stains, you should take your camera to a professional service centre. Taking care of the lens with regular maintenance will help extend the life of the camera and avoid large repairs.
Composition
Walking with a DSLR? Composition matters! Not just a stroll and photos. Gotta look for the right angle and lighting. Plus, have the perfect background. Get the hang of composition while with the DSLR and it’ll improve picture quality.
Let’s go over the basics of composition.
Find the right angle
Shooting with a DSLR? Consider these tips to help you create images that engage and impress.
Find different perspectives – look from far away, close up and even from above or below.
Change the height of your shooting position – shoot from ground level for interesting perspectives.
Look for curves – this adds an extra dimension of interest, like river pathways stretching into the horizon.
Take advantage of reflections – be creative and use mirrors or water to capture interesting effects.
Framing shots with foreground elements – use leaves on a tree to draw viewers into the photograph and tell your story!
Use the rule of thirds
When shooting with a DSLR while walking, use the ‘rule of thirds’. This is a trick used by pro photographers. Break the frame into nine equal parts. Place your subject on one line or near an intersection.
Make your composition even more fun. Look for leading lines or curves that guide people through your image. You’ll make balanced shots that look better than just facing your subject.
Remember most DSLRs have long lenses. Handholding may be hard if you zoom in too much. Keep a sensible distance to avoid camera shake.
Utilize leading lines
Leading line composition is an effective way to guide your audience’s eye through a photograph. Rather than the background elements competing, use lines to organize them in different directions, creating structure. These lines can be from defined architectural elements, like fences or pathways, or from natural elements, like cascading water, to create depth. Geometric shapes can be used for interesting framing opportunities in a natural landscape. It doesn’t have to be only human-made objects, making it simpler when shooting outdoors or inside.
When photographing with a DSLR camera, it’s important to scout an area and imagine how certain points will direct attention. Ask yourself what elements in the environment could be used as paths. Placement and timing can be used for dynamic shots. For example, if someone is walking down a long street or hiking through tall grasses, you can use these elements. Also, watch from different perspectives to get the photo you are after.
Post-Processing
A camera walk, successfully done? Great! But, now, the photographer must face challenges while post-processing their images.
Post-processing is full of techniques and creativity. Knowing the steps can help you dodge costly blunders. Let’s see the importance of post-processing and how to do it.
Adjust the white balance
White balance is essential when you have a DSLR camera. It helps colours look balanced in the image. Find the white balance symbol on your camera and select the setting you want.
Based on the light, you can change the white balance. Common settings are auto-white balance (AWB), daylight, cloudy, shade and tungsten light. You can try different settings to find the best one.
Also, you can manually adjust white balance using Kelvin temperature or RGB Levels. There is no definite way to set your white balance. If you are shooting outdoors, Auto White Balance should be sufficient.
Sharpen the image
Once you’ve corrected white balance, adjusted the exposure, and cropped your image to the desired size and aspect ratio, you can sharpen it. However, if you want an extra sharp look, then keep reading.
In Photoshop or Lightroom, increase the Amount in the Sharpen toolbox. Many guides suggest a low amount, but it really depends on personal preferences. Be careful to avoid halos and too much noise.
For most images, I use an Amount of 60-70% with a Radius of 0.4-1, depending on how much detail I want to exaggerate. If an image looks sharp without too many details or noise, then it’s sufficiently sharpened!
Adjust the exposure
Once you have taken your shots and returned home, it is time to adjust the exposure. This is to make the image brighter or darker, as you desire. There are two ways to do this: exposure compensation and post-processing software like Lightroom or Photoshop.
If you are new to photography, it is best to use exposure compensation first. Post-processing software requires more experience with digital photography and is difficult for beginners.
Look for the ‘+/-‘ button on your camera’s LCD screen, near the shutter button. This gives you control over the brightness of your shots. Experiment and practice to learn how settings affect photos. Take a few test shots at different exposures before editing in post-processing software.
Conclusion
Walking with a DSLR camera doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right approach, you can capture beautiful shots while on the go. Remember to maintain proper posture, use both hands to hold the camera, and keep it steady as you move.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different walking speeds and camera angles to find the perfect shot. With practice and patience, you’ll soon become a pro at taking photos while walking with your DSLR camera.
