When you want to show off your homestead to your online following, the key is to take beautiful, captivating photos that will get people talking and sharing. But capturing an attractive photo is easier said than done. If you want to take your homestead photography to the next level, read the five tips below.
1. Invest in the Right Equipment
Not all cameras are equal. If you don’t have the right equipment, including a decent camera, it can be next to impossible to capture a truly share-worthy photo. No one wants to look at a grainy photo where they can’t tell the difference between cows and goats.
Luckily, getting your hands on a decent camera doesn’t have to break the bank. You can find a used DSLR camera in good condition online or on local resale sites for less than $200. Or, if you want a cheaper model, you can look for reviews with recommendations.
To take stunning photos, it’s recommended to invest in basic equipment such as:
- A DSLR Camera
- A 35mm Lens
- A Tripod
- Memory Cards
- Photo Editing Software
2. Use What You Have
As a homesteader, one of your greatest assets is knowing how to be resourceful and use what’s on-hand. To take eye-catching photos, look for interesting items around your home to utilize. Go out to the barn and look in those forgotten corners for things you picked up over the years and saved for your next project.
Some items you may have laying around include old pieces of barn wood or reclaimed wood, which can be used as a rustic serving platter to show off your home-made muffins. You can also use flour dishcloths, wooden crates, antique plates and even your stylish tile flooring.
3. Create a Frame
If you want professional-looking photos, try the trick of using a natural frame to surround your subject. Not only does a frame draw your eyes to the center and provide context to your photos, but it can also create a sense of depth and perspective.
This technique is created when you place a secondary object within the photograph so it frames your main focal point. If taking a picture of a bride and groom in front of a sunset, for example, you could frame the photo with the nearby hanging palm fronds. Or, if you’re taking a picture of an ornate statue, you can frame the photo with an ornate window pane.
4. Play With Light
While you can have all the right equipment, your photos won’t look professional until you have some knowledge of lighting. Most photographers recommend taking advantage of natural light. The best time of day to photograph falls a couple of hours after sunrise and a couple of hours before sunset, when you can capture that ethereal golden glow.
Try taking your photos next to a large window which lets in lots of light. If the light is too bright, try tamping it down with sheer white curtains, which can create depth through shadows. When outside, don’t set your object directly in front of the sun. The best way to situate your shoot is to have the sun off to the side of your photos.
5. Take Multiple Shots
Digital cameras make it easy to capture the perfect shot. With their seemingly unlimited storage capacity, you can take your time and capture as many images as you’d like. Typical camera cards come between 32 and 256 gigabytes, with a 64-gigabyte camera card having the capacity for more than 2,400 pictures.
When you’re ready to take photos, whether of your brood of hens or your recent garden harvest, take multiple shots in the same position. Use different angles and play with the lighting. There’s no right or wrong number of shots to take. However, the more you take, the more options you’ll have once you sit down and look through what you captured.
How to Take Better Photos of Your Homestead
If you want to show off your homestead, do it the right way. Find the appropriate equipment so you can take professional, share-worthy photos without hassle. And don’t forget to invest in necessary accessories like a tripod and memory cards. Once you have what you need, learn how to use tricks like natural lighting and frames to take your photos to the next level.
