| Though many people don’t realize it, | | | | own film, try pushing your film an extra two or |
| photographs are a vastly flexible art medium. | | | | three minutes and see how it affects the final |
| There is absolutely no reason you should ever | | | | product. While it's easy to push your film too far |
| feel limited to shooting what’s in front of you | | | | into an overly contrasty mess, a little extra time |
| or documenting reality. Just as with painting or | | | | can sometimes create a stunning result by adding |
| sculpting, there is plenty of room to exert your | | | | extra contrast to important areas of your |
| influence on the way your photographs turn out. | | | | photograph. |
| So, let's talk about several fun things you can do | | | | 3. Use the Bulb Setting |
| with your pictures that you may not normally | | | | Any camera (even most digitals) that has manual |
| consider. | | | | settings will have the option to set your shutter |
| | | | speed to “B,” or bulb. Simply put, this |
| 1. Change Your Angle | | | | setting will make your camera shutter stay open |
| One of the most common things done in | | | | for as long as you have the button pressed and is |
| photography is the eyeor head level height in | | | | a terrific way to capture some images you may |
| which photos are taken. While this makes perfect | | | | not have thought possible. Unfortunately the bulb |
| sense, it may not necessarily be the best angle | | | | setting won't work in daylight since it will |
| for what you’re shooting or the statement | | | | overexpose the image, but in a dark environment |
| you want to make. | | | | it can create lots of new photo opportunities. |
| Spend an entire day shooting entirely from the | | | | Place your camera on a tripod facing the night |
| ground (get down on one knee or crouch) and | | | | sky and leave your shutter open for 5 minutes |
| see how getting below your subjects changes | | | | (using a cable release) so you can capture the |
| how reality appears to your viewers. If | | | | stars moving as the earth rotates. You can also |
| you’re feeling really lucky, try shooting | | | | hold the camera shutter open and have someone |
| entirely from your hip without double-checking the | | | | spin around holding a flashlight and then snap the |
| focus or the framing – you may end up with | | | | flash and you'll have a shot of them encircled by |
| a lot of throw-away images, but you also might | | | | light. This setting requires a lot of practice and |
| end up with something you could have never | | | | experimentation but can often have tremendous |
| captured with a traditional method of shooting. | | | | results. |
| 2. Push Your Film | | | | The next time you're feeling adventurous, |
| All film has a recommended development time at | | | | remember these three photo experiments. For |
| any given temperature. For example, when | | | | these experiments all you need is a cable release |
| developing 400 speed film in 70 degree chemicals, | | | | and a single lens reflex (SLR) camera or a digital |
| you would need to soak the film for 7 minutes | | | | SLR (DSLR) camera and you're all set. Just |
| before rinsing but don't take my word as you | | | | remember that you should only do experiments |
| should check the recommended times off the | | | | with photographs you’re willing to lose – |
| developer manufacturers box. What many people | | | | your daughter’s wedding might not be the |
| don't realize is that the longer the film develops, | | | | best time to try shooting everything from the hip. |
| the more stark the contrast becomes. The lights | | | | At the end of the day all that matters is that you |
| get lighter and the darks get darker. | | | | have fun and create images that are beautiful, |
| If you’re fortunate enough to develop your | | | | truthful, and important to you. |