We set out for the day with nowhere in particular in mind as a destination. Our go-to driving trips usually entail heading up north on Route 27. We didn’t know where the day would take us, but with my camera, a selection of lenses and tripod in tow, I knew I wanted a chance at practicing shooting landscape photographs in aperture priority mode. Route 27 was the perfect place to accomplish this and as always, we had plenty of scenic views to choose from for achieving a fruitful landscape photography session.
As my photographic journey continues, I have found that I’m not always content with the outcome of my photographs. Aperture priority mode is one of four creative exposure modes that give you full creative control over your camera (the others are shutter priority, program auto and manual mode). I decided to give the aperture priority mode on my Canon Rebel T6i camera a try. On the Canon Rebel T6i, aperture priority mode is labeled “Av” (for aperture value or f-number) is located on the mode dial. The aperture controls the brightness of the image that passes through the lens and falls on the image sensor. By changing the f-number, this will change the size of the aperture, then changing the amount of light that passes through the lens.
While shooting in aperture priority, you are able to control how big the opening is. You are also impacting shutter speed. The larger the aperture will be, the more light will pass through the sensor. This is a useful mode to get comfortable with for individuals who are either pursuing photography as a hobby or professionally. Aperture priority is simple to use and allows room for creative expression. When using this mode, you set the aperture as well as the ISO. The camera will then set the shutter speed. This allows for a photograph that is properly exposed. As a result of using this mode, I found that my photographs had more preserved detail had an overall crispness. I feel that the program mode, labeled “P” that I usually use, simply won’t help me achieve the professional-quality photographs that I am looking for.
During this session, I also shot my photographs in camera RAW, which allows for more creative expression while editing in Photoshop. When shooting photographs in JPEG, image information is compressed and lost. Information isn’t compressed with RAW, which allows for the production of higher quality images. Another benefit of RAW includes the ability to correct issues in your images that would otherwise be unrecoverable if photographs that were shot in JPEG format. When you shoot in RAW, all of the data is recorded from the sensor. This gives you access to the highest quality of files for post-processing.
Our first stop for practicing aperture priority included stopping at one of the scenic rest stops located north of the town of Kingfield, Maine. The Carrabassett River runs along Route 27 and after taking a short walk, we found a breathtaking view of Mount Bigelow from an area located along the riverbed. I thought these four photographs were my best out of the few I had taken of the area.
(f/11, 1/60 sec., ISO 100)
(f/11, 1/160 sec., ISO 100)
(f/11, 1/125 sec., ISO 100)
(f/11, 1/160 sec., ISO 100)
We then drove farther up north to Eustis. I was able to get a few photographs of Flagstaff Lake with another view of Mount Bigelow in the distance. I like how these photographs turned out. I enjoy the different shades of blue in the composition and the contrast of the clouds and lake water.
(f/11, 1/200 sec., ISO 640)
(f/11, 1/250 sec., ISO 100)
We then decided to head back south on Route 27 and be on our way back home. We both saw this beautiful view of Mount Bigelow and Flagstaff Lake from the road and decided we had to pull over. If you are wondering how I got all of these different angles of Mount Bigelow, it is because it is a long mountain ridge with several summits. It is one of highest summits here in Maine. Perhaps, I will have the chance to take these types of photographs from the top of one these summits one day!
(f/11, 1/200 sec., ISO 100)
(f/11, 1/250 sec., ISO 100)
(f/11, 1/160 sec., ISO 100)
Well, I hope you enjoyed the view and with some more practice using the aperture priority mode on my camera, I hope to achieve more beautiful landscape photographs such as these.
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