subject: 5 Tips for Taking Better Alphabet Photography [print this page] 1. Get to know the sun1. Get to know the sun
Shooting pictures outside can be very frustrating if the sun is not cooperating. The best natural lighting will occur the hour or so before the sun sets and after the sun rises. To get exact times for both sunrise and sunset, check out sites like Weather.com.
2. Look for shade
If you've got to shoot a letter when the sun is out, look for some nearby shade. The shade will soften the light and make it easier for you not to squint. There's likely a tree or building nearby that you can use to escape direct sunlight.
3. Sunny Day 16 Rule
For quick reference to exposure, remember the Sunny Day 16 rule. On a sunny day, set your aperture at f/16. Now your ISO speed will be relative to your shutter speed. For example, setting your ISO at 200 will mean that setting your shutter speed at 1/200 or 1/250 will result in an accurate exposure. If you are shooting in the shade, simply change your aperture to f/8 and the rule still applies!
4. Narrow your depth of field
When taking a picture of a letter, try opening up your aperture to f/2.8 or f/4. This not only helps to separate the letter from the background, but can also make something as drab as a line of trees into an interesting and beautiful backdrop.
5. Watch where you meter
When you take a meter reading of the scene, typically your camera will adjust the exposure so that the brightest areas (areas in direct sunlight) are well exposed. This will sometimes underexpose the shady areas and can be very challenging when shooting alphabet photography. Instead try focusing on a shaded area (a shadow on the ground for example) and take a meter reading. Now take the photo; you might blow some highlights in the bright areas, but this will keep your letter well exposed and will create a bright, dynamic surrounding for them. If you are trying to create a silhouette, reverse this technique. Focus in on a very bright area (a big white cloud or the sun itself) and take your meter reading. Take the photo and the bright sun or clouds will be well exposed, but your letter shape will be thrown in the dark creating a nice, crisp silhouette.
