Every piece of photography equipment has obvious uses and benefits. A telephoto lens makes far away subjects appear a lot closer but did you know it also compresses perspective, so subjects that are far apart from each other have the look of being much closer?  Wide angle lenses allow photographers who work in tight quarters to include a lot more in the composition but did you know they can exaggerate the size of small objects and make them appear larger? For example, a small rock or a group of flowers in a landscape can be made to appear much larger if the photographer gets very close to them and includes the distant landscape in the frame. It’s nice to know that the equipment that already appears in your camera bag can have multiple uses. It’s sort of like getting free gear. I want to share with you a few of my favorite bonuses so you can feel as if you just got something for nothing or as I’ve titled the article - Two for the Price of One.

The Polarizer: The primary reason most photographers purchase a polarizer is to darken a blue sky and to make clouds pop off the page. Aim your lens ninety degrees to the sun to obtain maximum polarization - basically think about making the photo at a right angle to the sun. Landscape photographers utilize a polarizer quite often. But did you know that a polarizer has a few other uses? It can be used to eliminate reflections from shiny objects that may otherwise act as a distraction. Reflections on a window’s or water’s surface can be eliminated. It also acts to remove glare from leaves to allow their color to come through. That’s why they’re so often used for autumn landscapes. A polarizer can also serve to act as neutral density allowing you to use slower shutter speeds to create special effects or to better control depth of field. Many uses from a single piece of equipment. If you’re left saying, “I didn’t know that,” you just got something for nothing.

           With Polarizer             Without Polarizer       

© Russ Burden

The White Reflector: The most common use of a white reflector is to add light into shadow areas to reveal more detail. The reason white is used is it creates a soft source and the light is neutral in color. But did you know that reflectors come in all shapes, sizes, and colors? It’s more and more common for reflectors to be sold as a “kit.” They’re basically a 5 in 1 set up. Included is the ever popular white surface, but using the other four to your advantage allows you to get your money’s worth. The two most popular are gold and silver. The shiny gold surface allows you to reflect warmer light while the shiny silver surface creates a cool colored hard light. If you want the light to look more edgy, use the silver instead of the white. The two less frequently used surfaces are the translucent white and pure black. The translucent white is used to create diffused light. It’s placed in between the subject and the source of light. Depending on its size, it’s great to use for head shots of people or portraits of flowers. The black surface is actually used to subtract light. Bounce black light back onto the subject to try to soften the contrast of a very hard light source. If you’re left saying, “I didn’t know that,” you just got something for nothing.

   No Refelctor              Gold Reflector

© Russ Burden

Your Flash: The obvious use of a flash is to add light to a situation where it’s dark so a photo can be made. Night time shots, interiors, birthday parties all come to mind. But did you know that a flash should be used even when the sun is shining brightly? A somewhat common use of flash outdoors is called fill flash. When the sun is bright, it creates a lot of contrast. This translates to deep shadows that reveal little or no detail. If you use a flash to add light to those areas, detail is revealed which softens the contrast. A not so common use of outdoor flash is to use it as a main light. Take note of the accompanying before and after images of the African gray parrot. In the before image there’s a strong green cast. It comes from the reflected light of the leaves around which it’s perched. Rather than jumping through hoops to get a proper white balance, I simply attached my flash and used it as a main light. I set the white balance to flash and the resulting color was perfect.  If you’re left saying, “I didn’t know that could be done,” you just got something for nothing.

  No Flash                Fill Flash      

© Russ Burden

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.