[Tim Taylor]

Folks,

I just got my first digital SLR - a Nikon D40. And I'm off to the RTJ Golf Trail later this week.

Can any of the photographers on the site offer tips for taking good course photos? I understand the basics of photography but am by no means an expert. The camera has all the normal DSLR modes from fully automatic to fully manual. I have the 18-55 kit lens and a 55-200 zoom.

Tim T

[Tyler Kearns]

Tim,

It is usually best to take photographs shortly after sunrise and before sunset. The lower sun angle really accentuates the smaller contours of the golf course, which are usually lost in mid-day sun.

TK

[Frank Pont]

Tim,

For inspiration look at some of the 60,000 pics on www.golfarchitecturepictures.com.

Some are goor and some are bad but at least you'll get a good impression what works and what not.

Also you might consider contributing your pics to the site, which would further expand it.

[Aidan Bradley]

Tim,

As the people at Nike would say "just go do it". However, depending on what you are going to do with the images, make sure you have permission to do so.

Aidan.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Do it a lot with a 2 Gig flash memory.

Sun perpendicular to the camera and low to the earth for best shadows.

Tom Doak says correctly the hard part is labeling the images.

[mikes1160]

In my job, we shoot our equipment on a lot of courses and we are done by 9 am and usually don't start until 4-5 in the evening. We try to avoid flat courses (for background's), so we rarely shoot in Myrtle Beach, Florida, etc. Take advantage of elevation whenever you can. We usually like bunkers taking on a bit of shadow, but not too much.

You'll like the D40. I've had the D50 for about a year. I haven't relied on their software, choosing instead iPhoto for the Mac.

[Tom Roewer]

Whenever you can try to get as high as you can, but don't fall off the cart or damage the cart.  It really makes a big difference on all types of shots.  I doubt they will let you take a ladder.

[Tim Taylor]

HA! Got a good deal on a 4Gig card when I bought the camera. I'm guessing the battery will run out before the card fills up

Tim

Do it a lot with a 2 Gig flash memory.

Sun perpendicular to the camera and low to the earth for best shadows.

Tom Doak says correctly the hard part is labeling the images.

[Tim Taylor]

That's pretty much my setup too Mike. I've got a lot to learn about taking the pictures before I worry about getting into Photoshop or whatever. iPhoto is doing the job for me now.

Tim

In my job, we shoot our equipment on a lot of courses and we are done by 9 am and usually don't start until 4-5 in the evening. We try to avoid flat courses (for background's), so we rarely shoot in Myrtle Beach, Florida, etc. Take advantage of elevation whenever you can. We usually like bunkers taking on a bit of shadow, but not too much.

You'll like the D40. I've had the D50 for about a year. I haven't relied on their software, choosing instead iPhoto for the Mac.

[Dan_Callahan]

Not if you're shooting in RAW mode . . . files are huge.

[Mike Erdmann]

Tim,

As others have said, shoot in the 'golden hour' after sunrise or before sunset.  Cloudy days can be quite good too.  Mid-day sun is just too contrasty.  Also, I'd suggest getting Adobe's brand new Photoshop Lightroom software.  It's specifically designed for digital photography and vastly simplifies the regular controls in Photoshop.  They have a special introductory price of $199 for the next few weeks, though you can download a 30 day trial from Adobe.  I have the full version of Photoshop CS2, but use Lightroom more often.

[Garland Bayley]

IMHO pics taken with wide angle are boring. Make good use of the telephoto.
Aidan is about the only one I have seen take anything interesting on a golf course with a wide angle.

[Mike Nuzzo]

Garland,
I disagree.
A wide angle shows far more of the hole and can really bring the viewer in if composed well.
I have tanken a few I like with a telephoto, but most often I use the wide.

Many here like views from the players perspective, but try different angles - some can be quite cool.

Try out your macro lense too...
It is lizard season in Houston.

[Tony Ristola]

Wake up early.

[Mark_Rowlinson]

Don't forget looking back from the green towards the tee.  Also take photos of signs, notices, interesting flag designs etc., - you never know when you'll have a use for that notice telling you that you can clean the ball and have a free drop from elephant dung and that balls lying within two clubs' lengths of a viper....

[Tiger_Bernhardt]

Aidan and a few others who visit here are at the top of their profession. We are all blessed to have his input and access to his fine work.

[Craig Disher]

Tim,
Try experimenting with b/w. Using various filters can give surprising results; b/w is also especially good for courses without a lot of color contrast - links, e.g.

[John Kavanaugh]

Take pictures from angles that will only be seen on the rarest of occasions.  Stand on a ladder or lie on your belly...Just make sure that the picture will even leave a member wondering where the hell is that on first glance.

The above explains why I dislike golf pics and find it no more artfull than a disco remix.

[Aidan Bradley]

" I dislike golf pics and find it no more artfull than a disco remix".

John, please tell me if I am wasting my time posting images here and I will go away and send you all my old Donna Summers albums.

Aidan

[Joe Hancock]

" I dislike golf pics and find it no more artfull than a disco remix".

John, please tell me if I am wasting my time posting images here and I will go away and send you all my old Donna Summers albums.

Aidan

Aiden,

The important part of John's post is the use of the personal pronoun "I". If you stop posting pictures "I" will be upset!


 

Joe

[Aidan Bradley]

Joe,

Accepted, onwards, thank you........

A.

[John Kavanaugh]

" I dislike golf pics and find it no more artfull than a disco remix".

John, please tell me if I am wasting my time posting images here and I will go away and send you all my old Donna Summers albums.

Aidan

Aidan,

I hope you understand that it is possible for me to not like golf pictures but still enjoy pulling up the ones you post.   I don't think original Donna Summers would qualify as remix.  

[Aidan Bradley]

John,

I am happy to see that you also enjoy shaking your limber body to the energetic vibes of the lovely Donna Summers. I take no offence to your words but just wished to draw you out a little. I respect your take on trying to make an image that surprises the audience in as much they are puzzled as to '"from whence it came" but hope you were just challenging us shutterbugs instead of dissing the noble trade.

A

[John Kavanaugh]

John,

I am happy to see that you also enjoy shaking your limber body to the energetic vibes of the lovely Donna Summers. I take no offence to your words but just wished to draw you out a little. I respect your take on trying to make an image that surprises the audience in as much they are puzzled as to '"from whence it came" but hope you were just challenging us shutterbugs instead of dissing the noble trade.

A

Aidan,

I'm sorry if I offended your profession as a golf course photographer as I am sure it is a noble trade and something very close to your heart.  I just have a personal distaste for artsy golf pictures that are taken from positions not seen by the golfer.  I think they are lies and misrepresentations of an architects intent...or maybe they just aren't golf pictures at all.  I hope you understand that I also don't like golf themed furniture, golf books, golf movies, golf stories, golf jokes and or anything associated with professional golf including but not limited to golf writers.  As most things are it is my problem and only mine.

[Aidan Bradley]

John,

I posted this response last night but it would appear the system went down prior to my posting so it never showed up. Here is last nights response to your last post.

John,

As I said earlier I was not offended by your words and I repect your "distaste" for all the points you made. However, if I was limited to  "pictures that are taken from positions not seen by the golfer" I would be out of business.

I believe that Mr Nicklaus likes to see images that are 150 yds out in the middle of the fairway, but that's not where the average golfer hits his/or hers ball. If I was to create images based on the above I would have a very boring and repetitious library of images.

My job is to glorify a golf course, to bring it to life, to let the viewer see views they never imagined. There are others who illustrate the architectural nuances of the course. If you can do that and still create an artful, attractive image then you have succeeded in creating the perfect golf image. That is something I strive for but is not always attainable.

I don't wish to misrepresent the architects intent but if in some small way I may help attract attention to his/hers creation, surely I have done something positive and useful. The beauty of all this is that we are all on the same team and the bonus is that we all get to enjoy our own walk in the park. I appreciate your input, enjoy your golf, good night.

A.

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