During 3rd week of June 2024, i.e. this week, I started a new hobby to capture photos for stock photography. I currently have a Canon Rebel SL3 camera with the following lenses. I also have “Adobe Photoshop Lightroom”.
Lenses I Have, Purposes and Suitable Photo Types
| Lens | Purpose | Suitable Photo Types |
|---|---|---|
| 10-18 mm | Ultra Wide-Angle Lens | Landscapes, Architecture, Panoramas, Wide Environmental Shots |
| 18-55 mm | Standard Zoom Lens | General Purpose, Portraits, Street Photography, Everyday Snapshots |
| 50 mm | Prime Lens | Portraits, Low Light Photography, Close-Ups, Shallow Depth of Field Shots |
| 55-250 mm | Telephoto Zoom Lens | Wildlife, Sports, Distant Subjects, Detailed Shots from a Distance |
Using the above equipment I have planned the following for stock photography
My Plan
I initially plan to drive 2 hours from Charlotte, where I live and have considered Lake Tillery, Mt. Gilead, North Carolina, USA.
Drive to the location at 5 AM EST, prepare myself before sunrise, and capture the following capturing ideas I documented through research.
Capturing Ideas for Sunrise Over the Lake and Reflections in the Water at Lake Tillery, Mt. Gilead, NC
| # | Capturing Idea | Description & Technique | Settings | Lenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Classic Sunrise Over the Horizon | Capture the sun peeking over the horizon with a golden glow. Use a small aperture for deep depth of field. | Aperture: f/8 to f/16, Shutter Speed: 1/30s to 1/125s, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 2 | Reflection of the Sunrise | Capture the sunrise reflected in the calm water. Use a polarizing filter to enhance reflections. | Aperture: f/8 to f/11, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 3 | Silhouette of a Dock | Capture the silhouette of a dock against the brightening sky. Position yourself to have the dock between you and the rising sun. | Aperture: f/8 to f/11, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 18-55 mm, 50 mm |
| 4 | Sun Rays Through Trees | Capture sun rays filtering through the trees. Position yourself to have the sun behind the trees, using a narrow aperture for starburst effects. | Aperture: f/16, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 5 | Fisherman at Dawn | Capture a fisherman in a boat silhouetted against the sunrise. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze motion. | Aperture: Adjust, Shutter Speed: 1/250s or faster, ISO: 100-400 | 55-250 mm, 50 mm |
| 6 | Golden Light on the Water | Capture the shimmering golden light reflecting off the water’s surface. Use a wide aperture to focus on the water’s surface. | Aperture: f/2.8 to f/5.6, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 50 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 7 | Wildlife Reflections | Capture wildlife reflected in the calm water. Use a telephoto lens to zoom in on wildlife and reflections. | Aperture: Adjust, Shutter Speed: 1/500s or faster, ISO: 100-400 | 55-250 mm |
| 8 | Mist Over the Lake | Capture early morning mist rising from the lake. Use a small aperture to keep mist and landscape in focus. | Aperture: f/8 to f/16, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 9 | Boats Moored in Golden Light | Capture boats moored at the dock, bathed in the warm light of the sunrise. Position yourself to have the boats and the rising sun in the frame. | Aperture: f/8 to f/11, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 18-55 mm, 10-18 mm |
| 10 | Reflections of Trees and Sky | Capture the reflection of trees and the colorful sky in the calm water. Use a polarizing filter to enhance reflections. | Aperture: f/8 to f/11, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 11 | Close-Up of Dew Drops on Plants | Capture the dew drops on plants along the shoreline with the sunrise in the background. Use a macro lens to focus on the dew drops. | Aperture: f/2.8 to f/5.6, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 50 mm |
| 12 | Panorama of the Lake | Capture a wide panorama of the lake and the surrounding landscape. Use a wide-angle lens and take multiple shots to stitch together in post-processing. | Aperture: f/8 to f/16, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 13 | Golden Hour Portraits | Capture portraits of people enjoying the sunrise by the lake. Use a wide aperture to create a soft background blur while focusing on the subjects. | Aperture: f/2.8 to f/5.6, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 50 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 14 | Reflection of the Sky | Capture the colorful sky reflected perfectly in the calm water. Position yourself to get a clear view of the reflection with no obstructions. | Aperture: f/8 to f/11, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 15 | Long Exposure of the Water | Capture a long exposure shot to smooth out the water, creating a silky effect. Use a neutral density filter and a slow shutter speed. | Aperture: f/8 to f/16, Shutter Speed: 1-5 seconds, ISO: 100 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 16 | Colorful Clouds Over the Lake | Capture the vibrant colors of the clouds as they catch the early morning light. Use a wide-angle lens to include as much of the sky as possible. | Aperture: f/8 to f/16, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 17 | Birds in Flight | Capture birds taking off or flying over the lake during sunrise. Use a fast shutter speed to freeze motion. | Aperture: Adjust, Shutter Speed: 1/1000s or faster, ISO: 400-800 | 55-250 mm |
| 18 | Reflection of Mountains or Hills | Capture the reflection of distant mountains or hills in the lake. Use a small aperture to keep the entire scene in focus. | Aperture: f/8 to f/11, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 18-55 mm, 50 mm |
| 19 | People Walking Along the Shore | Capture silhouettes of people walking along the shoreline with the sunrise in the background. Use a fast shutter speed and position the subjects between you and the sun. | Aperture: Adjust, Shutter Speed: 1/250s or faster, ISO: 100-400 | 50 mm, 18-55 mm |
| 20 | Sunburst Through Foliage | Capture the sunburst effect through the leaves or branches of trees. Use a narrow aperture to create the starburst effect. | Aperture: f/16, Shutter Speed: Adjust, ISO: 100-200 | 10-18 mm, 18-55 mm |
- Classic Sunrise Over the Horizon
2. Reflection of the Sunrise
3. Silhouette of a Dock
4. Sun Rays Through Trees
5. Fisherman at Dawn
6. Golden Light on the Water
7. Wildlife Reflections
8. Mist Over the Lake
9. Boats Moored in Golden Light
10. Reflections of Trees and Sky
11. Close-Up of Dew Drops on Plants
12. Panorama of the Lake
13. Golden Hour Portraits
14. Reflection of the Sky
15. Long Exposure of the Water
16. Colorful Clouds Over the Lake
17. Birds in Flight
18. Reflection of Mountains or Hills
19. People Walking Along the Shore
20. Sunburst Through Foliage
