5 Creative Photography Tips – Step-By-Step Guide To Photographing Pylons

There is no doubt that composition and framing are both components that play very important roles at producing stunning photography results. There are little-known creative photography tips that have to do with framing that photographers can implement to bring about extremely creative photography effects.

Creative Photography Tips #1 – Enclose Subjects within Frames

When you keep your subjects within the natural frame, this will bring the viewers of your photographs to be led towards the focal point. It also adds interest to the photographs. A few examples of natural frames are windows, doors, and also encompassing trees.

Creative Photography Tips #2 – Frames As Center Stage To Compositions

Another great creative photography trick is to shoot images where frames take the role of becoming the center stage to compositions. When you do this, make sure you the results turn out in an abstract fashion so that it becomes the primary subject of the frame.

Creative Photography Tips #3 – Subjects with Repetition

You can use these photography tips and implement them onto the various subjects. The main thing to look out for is the existence of repetition on your subjects. For instance, you can use these creative photography tips on a group of trees. You can also shoot photos of a corridor of doors.

Creative Photography Tips #4 – Step-by-step Guide To Photographing Pylons

Another example of subjects with repetition is pylons. Pylons can be found in areas such as suburbs and rural areas. I will now reveal you a complete simple step-by-step guide to photographing pylons.

Here is a very important key pointer to note when photographing pylons; make sure that the day you conduct this photography attempt is a day where the skies are blue with beautiful and puffy clouds. Avoid photographing pylons in overcast situations.

Step #1

First of all, look for the pylon you want to photograph. Once you have located it, be sure to ask for the permission to photograph the pylons from the land owner.

This is just a matter of courtesy and to avoid getting into unwanted troubles. Land owners are normally more than pleased to give you the permission you seek, if asked properly.

Step #2

Properly attach your camera to the tripod. What I did when I photographed pylons back then was to set my camera to the aperture-priority mode. I also dialed up an aperture of f/14.

Try shooting through the legs of the pylons and shoot to a telegraph pole located a distance away (if possible). This is to allow the pylon to frame the image.

Step #3

Next, check the results of the image you photographed on the LCD monitor. The image taken should be framed with the pylon still girders. Your goal is to have the result of the photograph taken to turn out looking abstract.

Step #4

If you happen to not be satisfied with the earlier creative photography attempt, try again. This time however, you can try out another viewpoint.

Re-adjust the positioning of your DSLR camera that you have attached to the tripod so that it faces the next pylon along the field (approximately 500 yards away is good enough). You can use the corded remote release to reduce camera shake.

Step #5

Check the result of the shoot once again through the LCD monitor. The result of the shot should turn out looking better than the first one because of the viewpoint; the power lines of the pylon naturally frame the shot well.

Step #6

Nonetheless, the color of the blue sky may be washed out, making it look really pale. When this happens, you can use a circular polarizer to your lens to fix the pale blue sky.

The polarizer makes the blue sky’s color richer. The sky will also appear looking more saturated. Using a polarizer definitely adds punch onto the photographs.

You can use a square-shaped ‘Cokin-style’ polarizer as it brings about the same effect.

Step #7

Now, try photographing the pylon from another viewpoint – right under the main pylon of your choice. Photograph this scene with your camera attached to a tripod. Adjust them so that the lenses aim straight up towards the top of the pylon. Whenever possible, consider using a remote release to better aid camera stability.

Step #8

From my experience with this viewpoint, pictures turn looking way better! The framing of the image looks perfect with the criss-cross metal structure that the pylon has. This gives the result of the photograph an abstract feel.

What you can do after taking your first shot is to take a few more shots from this same viewpoint. Reason being you’ll be better able to ensure that it is symmetrical.

Creative Photography Tips #5 – Polarizing Filters

What exactly do polarizer filters do? These filters actually help to darken skies and get rid of unwanted reflections that appear on surfaces like water and glasses. This is possible as filters act to reduce directional light. Polarizing filters produce a much more intense and saturated image.

The 2 main type of polarizing filters that are tailor-made for DSLR cameras are;

A) Slot-in Polarizing Filters

These types of filters fit perfectly into a special filter holder. If you want a recommendation, I suggest that you get the Cokin’s P-system. It is indeed the most well-known, also the most reasonably priced slot-in polarizing filters in the market.

B) Screw-in Polarizing Filters

These filters are made available in a range of filter threads so that it fits your lens. Hoya screw-in polarizing filters are definitely an excellent range.