8 Creative Summer Photography Hacks To Help You Capture The Perfect Shot

Are you looking to capture great photography this summer? What tools can help you with your creative endeavors? If you are into outdoor nature photography, portrait photography, or just learning about photography tips this article is for you.

1. Beach Gear

Getting together a plan to go to the beach can be fun and great but if your camera gets sand or water in it we would have a different story. I have had this happen before and it turned out okay- but let's not risk it! Plan ahead of time before going to the beach. There are a few items that you can look into getting and a few things to remember before going to the beach. Beach photoshoot can be for fun, for family summer photos, events and more. Read More About Beach Photoshoots

2. Camera Gear for the Beach

Water resistant camera bags- depending on your budget, these can get expensive, fast. Having your camera gear protected is the best route to go however. Avoiding plastic and flimsy gear can reduce panic. This is mainly for those who shoot with a DLSR, Mirrorless camera.

Disclaimer: I have used a plastic bag to secure my camera in the middle of the pacific ocean before [that one can be found here] but it is still not recommended. These can create hot summer photos! Polarizing filters - These filters are relatively cheap and extremely helpful when taking photos at the beach. These also help with reflective areas like CARS.

The Polarizing filters filter out unpolarized random specks of light. Normally polarized light causes the effect of highlights and sparkles of light, polarizing filters removes these highlights and specks. Creating a clean shot for hot weather images.3.

3. Reducing sun flares

Lens hoods are the way to go to block out unwanted lens flares. During the summer, the sun is brighter and may create noticeable glares and aberrations to your camera photos. Using a lens hood can reduce the effect of the sun coming directly into your camera. It can act as a shield. Some lenses may come with a lens hood, or you might need to go out and buy a new one. This can create aesthetic summer photos. 4.

4. Camera Filters and Hood Sizes

Generally lens hoods are like filters in the way you buy them. Your camera lens usually has a “mm” on the front that shares the size of the filter. This is the size you want to buy if you can’t get the same manufacturer's hood.Common filters include the polarizing filter as mentioned above , Neutral Density filters and gradient filters.

These names may be familiar to filters you see in programs on Lightroom or photoshop. The benefit of using filters is to have a quick way to modify an image directly from the camera. The drawbacks are that once the filter is on there any changes will need to be done through photo editing.5.

5. Tripods

If you don’t have a tripod , summer is a great time to get one to setup your photos. Tripod uses can be best for self-portraits, landscape photos, night photography, timer photos, nature photos and more.Getting a tripod for self-portraits is similar to a timed or remote photo. Tripods can provide stability at a varied height.

They can also be used for traditional portraits and group portraits.
Landscape photos may also be great because you can capture a set of photos that differ in weather or time but maintain the same composition.

Night photography almost always requires a tripod to keep the ISO level at a low level. This way you can create unique photographs. Likely you will use a low shutter speed. Tripods reduce any jitters and blur in the photographs.

6. Types of Tripods

Tabletop tripods are small, compact, 4-8 inches in height and light to carry around

Travel tripods are larger usually 12-20 inches in height, may extend 50-60 inches compact to travel with

Full size tripods - likely heavier and support larger loads of camera. 50-70 inches is the usual.6.

7. Getting out before it gets dark

When you are shooting during the summer it may be helpful to plan out when you want to go to shoot photos. When you go outside think about the different 7.

8. Using Portable Reflectors

One way to change the way your photos look and the type of gear you use include bringing a reflective surface or a portable reflector. These usually come in different sizes from small, medium and large. Usually these surfaces are made of nylon in silver, white, gold or the like. Theses reflectors can change the direction of light that you use. These are especially helpful for portraits against hard lighting. Using a reflector can focus light underneath the subject.