Photography Techniques for Majestic Scenes

The tungsten white balance setting gives this image an unnatural blue hue.

Photography means "writing with light" and while photographs often visually document real events, they are also capable of creating majestic scenes in fantasy environments. Through experimentation over the years, several key techniques were developed to make visually vibrant and larger-than-life images out of the world around us. Making a truly original majestic photograph takes a lot of hard work, but knowing several basic camera techniques can make the job easier.

White Balance

Experimenting with white balance is a quick way to manipulate the hue of a photograph. Each setting is meant to compensate for the ambient lighting of your shooting environment. While using the camera to find the right white balance can be aesthetically pleasing, you can often get a good result by using the settings against their purpose. For example, using the tungsten white balance setting on a cloudy day will give your images a blue hue. Photographers often use this technique to add intrigue to an otherwise visually boring environment.

Manipulate Exposure

Change the exposure of your pictures so that the mark on the meter is not at 0 EV. Try underexposing and overexposing your frames to see some fresh results. Underexposing your shots can help you save the details of the brightest highlights in the image. This can preserve color as well as add a dark feeling to the shots. Overexposing your frames can give your pictures a brighter "vanilla" look which can add a fantastical feel to your pictures. Experiment with both variations until you find a result you like.

Gels

Attach gels to your flashes to give your pictures a majestic affect. There are scores of gels available for photography and it is up to the artist to find the right ones. Using gels takes your pictures out of the real world. They spark mystery and visual interest. Use the gels to light backgrounds, objects or even human subjects. Remember when using gels that the lower the power level the flash is set to, the more saturated the colors will be.

Props

Add vintage props to your pictures. A rare artifact could intrigue the viewers of your images. Shop around at a local consignment store and you are destined to find a unique object that could enhance the content of your photography. Be sure to give it some relevance in the picture, even if it is not literal.

References

• Strobist: Lighting 101:Using Gels
• Bright Hub: Getting Creative With White Balance
• Digital Photography School: The Exposure Triangle
• Marketing for Photographers: Photography Props