Photographing with the Excessive Res Mode within the Atacama Desert of Chile
The Andean Altiplano in Chile presents a novel and hanging panorama, characterised by its minimalistic surroundings wealthy in texture with rock, salt, and sandy options. Primarily based in San Pedro de Atacama, I just lately spent per week photographing the Atacama Desert, and two days above 4500m on the Andean Altiplano, the place it feels such as you’re strolling on one other planet.
Volcanoes towering above the plateaus, salt lakes offering a vivid color palette and a mixture of valleys, rocky outcrops and ridges…it’s a panorama I might stare at eternally.
Captivated by the realm once I visited again in 2019, this time I used to be excited to have the potential for taking pictures with the OM-1 MKII, utilizing the high-res mode to shoot handheld with 50 megapixels.
The characteristic is accessible throughout numerous the OM SYSTEM cameras, and it makes photographing landscapes a dream, including further particulars to work with enhancing, and likewise which means you possibly can keep away from lugging a tripod round and nonetheless produce excessive decision picture information. Now, should you’ve been studying The Wandering Lens for some time, you’ll know I hardly ever journey with a tripod. For some time I used to query if I used to be simply fooling around and packed it in my suitcase, but it surely by no means got here out and simply added pointless weight to my baggage. The explanation for it is because the soundness of the OM SYSTEM gear is so superior, modern and industry-leading that I don’t want one anymore.
Should you do occur to hold a tripod with you, you’re really capable of seize as much as 80-megapixel photos with the high-res mode…so I assume packing it might have its benefits for a particular scene.
From my earlier journey to the Atacama Desert, I knew capturing the intricate particulars of this atmosphere was going to be unbelievable enjoyable, particularly as a result of within the years since, I’ve developed fairly a fascination with photographing the finer particulars inside a scene.
What’s Excessive-Decision Mode on the OM SYSTEM cameras?
The high-resolution mode on the OM-1 + OM-1 MKII cameras lets you seize stunningly detailed photos by combining a number of photographs into one RAW file with a single shutter click on.
It’s very easy to entry, you possibly can both press the file button and see the high-res icon pop up on the LCD display to point it’s on, or entry by way of the menu system and modify the settings that means. Oddly, it’s grow to be a behavior of mine to undergo the menu system to show it on, although it takes a number of further steps…I really benefit from the OM SYSTEM menu and it seems like so many issues are doable when searching via to activate the excessive res mode.
There are two choices to pick from, plus further settings corresponding to time delay, or decision dimension.
- Hand-Held Excessive-Res Mode: This mode captures 50-megapixel photos with out the necessity for a tripod, providing flexibility for photographers on the transfer.
- Tripod Excessive-Res Mode: For absolute precision and most element, this mode captures 80-megapixel photos, good for static scenes and deliberate photographs.
You’ll be able to see the obtainable settings beneath.
When to Use Excessive-Mode
As a result of the digital camera’s processor combines eight photos in a short time, you’ll need the scene and any topics to be comparatively nonetheless. A small breeze or somewhat motion is okay should you additionally stay regular, however you’ll discover it’s difficult to work with timber rustling in sturdy wind, or fast-paced animals/site visitors/crowds. As a substitute, put together to make use of excessive res mode by in search of out landscapes and topics that can allow you to reap the benefits of the extra megapixels.
I’ve beforehand used it in Greenland for stationary icebergs and icy landscapes, while photographing the outback of Australia with the purple earthy sand and rock options, and naturally throughout my time in Chile, in each Patagonia and the Atacama Desert/Andean Altiplano.
Panorama Images Suggestions that work nicely with Excessive Res Mode
#1 Incorporate Mild and Shadows:
The interaction of sunshine and shadows can considerably improve your photos. The solar’s place can create dramatic shadows that add depth and texture to the panorama so search for topics the place the sunshine is hitting, or attempt to analysis and be on the proper place in the correct time for the sunshine to fall throughout the scene superbly.
Tip: Shoot in the course of the golden hours—early morning or late afternoon—when the sunshine is smooth and shadows are longer, enhancing any seen textures, tones or options inside the scene. This time of day supplies a heat, subtle gentle that may make the panorama seem extra vibrant and three-dimensional.
#2 Search for Main Traces and Focal Factors:
Main traces naturally draw the viewer’s eye into the picture. Within the Altiplano, you should use options like rock formations, or traces of salt flats to information the viewer into the picture. Main traces can be found nearly anyplace although, you simply want to maneuver round and assess the scene to seek out them.
Tip: Place main traces to attract consideration to a novel focus, corresponding to a distant mountain or a hanging rock formation. This may also help create a way of depth and perspective in your picture, making it extra partaking and visually interesting.
#3 Search Out Textural Parts:
The Altiplano is wealthy in textures, from the rugged surfaces of rocks to the advantageous grains of sand. Excessive-res mode excels at capturing these intricate particulars.
Tip: Get near the textural components and fill the body to showcase the patterns. This may create summary photos that spotlight the great thing about the pure textures. Experiment with totally different angles and views to seek out probably the most attention-grabbing and dynamic compositions.
#4 Photographing Wildlife:
Whereas the Altiplano’s wildlife will not be as plentiful, it contains distinctive species like flamingos and vicuñas. Capturing these animals in excessive decision requires endurance.
Tip: Observe the behaviour of the wildlife and anticipate them to stay nonetheless. This ensures that the digital camera can precisely mix the eight photos into one sharp, detailed picture. Utilizing a telephoto lens may also help you get shut with out disturbing the animals, permitting you to seize intimate and detailed portraits.
The OM-1 digital camera’s high-resolution mode is a game-changer for panorama pictures, particularly within the visually wealthy atmosphere of the Andean Altiplano and Atacama Desert. I’ll be heading again to Greenland this September and already can’t wait to get snapping once more, possibly I’ll even pack my tripod and try the 80-megapixel photographs too…keep tuned!
Proceed Studying with these associated articles:
Photographing Particulars inside a Panorama
Gear Speak: The Advantages of Travelling with a Zoom Lens
Photographing the Valley of the Moon within the Atacama Desert
Good day! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as knowledgeable journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this web site is from my private expertise on the highway. I hope it’s helpful to your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences world wide.