There are times when you need to get down really low to capture a dramatic image. In this free video, world renowned outdoor photographer Ian Plant shows you various techniques of using tripods at ground level. A ground level adaptor removes the center column and allows the tripod legs to be spread within a few inches above ground level. Another style of tripod has a removable center column which screws out and lets you spread the legs to their full outright position for ground level shooting. To get even lower, you can use a bean bag to support your camera. You can also set your camera on the ground and support the lens with small rock or an object from your camera bag such as a filter case.
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HDR Photography Lesson: Processing the Hall of Mirrors
The problem in photographing the hall of mirrors was the wide dynamic range of light. In this editing video, post production instructor, Tony Sweet, shows you how to solve that problem in HDR processing. After combining the seven source images, Tony works his HDR image through tone mapping in the Photomatix default setting. He experiments…
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Processing the Chaplin’s Office
How do you process an HDR image that includes extremes of light in an old prison? In this how-to editing video, post-production instructor Tony Sweet takes you through the procedure. He sandwiches the eight exposures into one HDR photograph, moves it into Photomatix. Using the tools, he pushes the contrast way up, then dials up…
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8:26
HDR Photography Tutorial: Processing Window Light
How do you go about HDR processing the prison cell dominated by dark shadows? In this tutorial, post-production instructor, Tony Sweet, will take you through the steps. “I shot very long exposures,” he explains, “and this helped capture the details.” In Photomatix tone mapping, he starts with the default setting and makes the adjustments including…
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HDR Editing Al Capone’s Prison Cell Photo
The six images have been captured, and now it’s time for processing Al Capone’s cell. Post production instructor, Tony Sweet, drags the HDR-processed RAW file into Photomatix, his favorite HDR software. When he runs into a problem with an overexposed skylight, he corrects with tone mapping and the white point point tool. He discusses saturation,…
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One way I’ve gotten down to ground level is to lay the tripod on its side, and adjust the head as needed. Sometimes the legs have to be weighted or head lifted onto something.
I mounted my old Slik ball head to a piece of board, about 30 inches long and probably 4 inches front to back. I mounted the head a bit closer to the rear of the board to help out the balance, and I just lie on the ground and prop myself up a bit to shoot. Works fine for ground level shots of small critters and birds.
One of my friends used a cigarette packet one evening – it worked for him 🙂 https://www.instagram.com/p/Br6fa7gFHqx/