Creating worthwhile photos often requires overcoming various obstacles, such as finding the right location or the perfect weather. These challenges can prevent you from capturing that dream shot you’ve been envisioning, or you can tackle them head-on.
Coming to you from Brandon Woelfel, this inspiring video shows how to overcome common barriers and get the perfect shot. Woelfel discusses how the changing seasons and the allure of outdoor shooting have motivated him to transition from studio photography to the great outdoors. He shares his preparations and the tools he brings along, which are essential for anyone looking to improve their photography skills.
Woelfel highlights several items he uses, such as an extra-large dust sheet and various fabrics, which he found on Amazon. These materials serve as backdrops and props, enhancing the visual appeal of his photos. This practical advice can inspire you to think creatively and use everyday items in your shoots. Additionally, Woelfel emphasizes the importance of being overprepared, bringing various props and equipment to see what works best on location. This approach ensures you have the right tools to capture different looks and styles, a useful tip for photographers at any level.
Expanding on these ideas, Woelfel also details his camera gear, including memory cards, microphones, extra batteries, and lenses like the 70-200mm f/2.8. He mentions specific products like the Prism Lens FX solar flare filter, which adds unique flare effects to bright highlights. Additionally, Woelfel talks about his experience with continuous lights and reflectors. He describes a previous shoot where natural light and reflectors were more effective than artificial lighting due to sunny conditions. This anecdote underscores the importance of adapting to the environment and making the most of what you have. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Woelfel.
Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.