Photographing with the Excessive Res Mode within the Atacama Desert of Chile
 The Andean Altiplano in Chile presents a singular and placing 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 every 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 mix of valleys, rocky outcrops and ridges…it’s a panorama I might stare at without end.
Captivated by the world once I visited again in 2019, this time I used to be excited to have the potential of taking pictures with the OM-1 MKII, utilizing the high-res mode to shoot handheld with 50 megapixels.
The function is accessible throughout quite a lot of the OM SYSTEM cameras, and it makes photographing landscapes a dream, including further particulars to work with enhancing, and in addition which means you’ll be able to keep away from lugging a tripod round and nonetheless produce excessive decision picture information. Now, in the event you’ve been studying The Wandering Lens for some time, you’ll know I not often 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 rationale for it’s because the steadiness of the OM SYSTEM gear is so superior, progressive and industry-leading that I don’t want one anymore.
In case you do occur to hold a tripod with you, you’re really capable of seize as much as 80-megapixel photographs with the high-res mode…so I suppose 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 unimaginable 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 means that you can seize stunningly detailed photographs by combining a number of pictures into one RAW file with a single shutter click on.
It’s very easy to entry, you’ll be able to both press the document button and see the high-res icon pop up on the LCD display screen to point it’s on, or entry through the menu system and alter the settings that approach. Oddly, it’s turn into a behavior of mine to undergo the menu system to show it on, regardless that it takes just a few further steps…I really benefit from the OM SYSTEM menu and it appears like so many issues are potential when looking by 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 photographs 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 photographs, good for static scenes and deliberate pictures.
You’ll be able to see the accessible settings beneath.
When to Use Excessive-Mode
As a result of the digicam’s processor combines eight photographs in a short time, you’ll need the scene and any topics to be comparatively nonetheless. A small breeze or a bit of motion is okay in the event you additionally stay regular, however you’ll discover it’s tough to work with timber rustling in robust wind, or fast paced animals/visitors/crowds. As a substitute, put together to make use of excessive res mode by looking for out landscapes and topics that may 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 pink earthy sand and rock options, and naturally throughout my time in Chile, in each Patagonia and the Atacama Desert/Andean Altiplano.
Panorama Pictures Suggestions that work nicely with Excessive Res Mode
#1 Incorporate Gentle and Shadows:
The interaction of sunshine and shadows can considerably improve your photographs. 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 fitting time for the sunshine to fall throughout the scene superbly.
Tip: Shoot throughout the golden hours—early morning or late afternoon—when the sunshine is mushy and shadows are longer, enhancing any seen textures, tones or options inside the scene. This time of day gives a heat, subtle gentle that may make the panorama seem extra vibrant and three-dimensional.
#2 Search for Main Strains and Focal Factors:
Main strains naturally draw the viewer’s eye into the picture. Within the Altiplano, you should use options like rock formations, or strains of salt flats to information the viewer into the picture. Main strains can be found virtually anyplace although, you simply want to maneuver round and assess the scene to search out them.
Tip: Place main strains to attract consideration to a singular focus, corresponding to a distant mountain or a placing rock formation. This can assist create a way of depth and perspective in your picture, making it extra participating 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 photographs that spotlight the fantastic thing about the pure textures. Experiment with completely different angles and views to search out essentially the most attention-grabbing and dynamic compositions.
#4 Photographing Wildlife:
Whereas the Altiplano’s wildlife might not be as ample, it consists of distinctive species like flamingos and vicuñas. Capturing these animals in excessive decision requires endurance.
Tip: Observe the behaviour of the wildlife and await them to stay nonetheless. This ensures that the digicam can precisely mix the eight photographs into one sharp, detailed picture. Utilizing a telephoto lens can assist you get shut with out disturbing the animals, permitting you to seize intimate and detailed portraits.
The OM-1 digicam’s high-resolution mode is a game-changer for panorama images, 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 pictures 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
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Hi there! I’m the founder and photographer behind The Wandering Lens.
With 17+yrs expertise as an expert journey and panorama photographer, all recommendation discovered on this web site is from my private expertise on the highway. I hope it’s helpful on your personal travels and would love to listen to within the feedback about your journeys and experiences all over the world.