16 NEBRASKAland • OCTOBER 2015
My Photo Tip:
The Poor
Man's Remote
By Justin Haag
My favorite time for landscape
photography is as I'm facing a rising or
setting sun. In order to get a sharp image
of the entire scene in low light, I place
the camera on a tripod with a small
aperture and slow shutter speed.
With the shutter open for several
seconds, any movement of the camera
can sabotage an image's sharpness.
Even pushing the button can move the
camera enough to cause blur.
To combat this issue, I sometimes
follow the tried and true method of
plugging in a remote cable release. It
keeps your hands far from the camera
body and eliminates movement. For the
sake of convenience, though, I usually
find myself resorting to what fellow
NEBRASKAland staffers refer to as
"the poor man's remote." That is, the
self-timer.
Most DSLRs allow the timer to be
adjusted, with a default of 30 seconds
or so in order for the photographer
to push the button and get situated
in a family photo. With one minor
adjustment, it also works great for
landscape photography. By setting the
timer to its fastest setting, two seconds
on my camera bodies, any movement
caused by my finger hitting the button
settles before the shutter opens. Also, at
two seconds, there's little to no change
in the scene.
One of the only challenges for me
with this method is remembering to
change the camera back from self-timer
mode. It usually pops into mind at my
next location, as I'm pushing the button
and watching a fast moving animal
escape the frame during that two-
second delay. ■
PHOTO
BY
JUSTIN
HAAG
