Olympus Olympus Modern Photography Handbook

modern adventure

photography handbook

Presented by

olympus explorer Chris Poplawski

Whether you want to capture a friend climbing a granite slab or a mountain peak silhouetted against a purple sunset, getting shots that do justice to wild places is no simple task. And while a little bit of luck will always be an adventure photographer’s friend, there are some concrete ways to improve your odds and up your game. To help you do just that, we asked five Olympus photographers for their hard-earned technical tips, gear recommendations, and artistic advice.

Essential skills

tools + Tech

FOCUSED TIPS

Refining the composition of your image can take an ordinary picture to the next level. The “rule of thirds” is one foundation of good composition: divide the frame into nine equal squares and put points of interest along those intersecting lines. “Putting all of the interest in the center is boring,” says Lee Hoy, Olympus Educator. “By paying attention to points of interest in your frame, you can guide the viewer’s eye through the picture.” Olympus cameras can overlay a grid in the electronic viewfinder and on the rear monitor so you can more easily use the rule of thirds.

Think about the entire frame

The moments surrounding sunrise and sunset typically provide ideal light. Be ready to make the most of it. “Nothing is more frustrating than getting to a spot after the good light is gone,” Baumgarten says. Translation: show up early. Also, don’t underestimate other daytime opportunities, especially if there’s cloud cover. “You get a lot of moments with interesting light throughout the day,” says Chris Poplawski, Olympus Explorer. “Constantly seek the best light, including going out in bad weather, because what if you miss something?”

Become a student of light

The saying goes that imitation is the highest form of flattery. In the case of photography, it’s also one of the best ways to build your skills. Find a photograph you love and try to recreate it, paying attention to the composition and lighting. “When you’re just starting out, it’s OK to copy someone else’s style. You’ll eventually develop a style of your own,” says Peter Baumgarten, Olympus Visionary.

Mimic the photographers you admire

Think about your photo in three dimensions and try to get the shot from a variety of different perspectives. Each scene has infinite possibilities. “Don’t be satisfied with one shot or one view,” Baumgarten says. “Walk to the other side of the ravine. Point your camera away from the light. Start far away and move in close. Use a wide lens, then switch to telephoto. The light is never the same even if you do go back to the same place. Maybe the big scene doesn’t look great, so you start working the details.”

Work the Scene

A great photo starts at home with research. Look into weather reports, including sunrise and sunset times; scout the area you’re going to shoot online, learning about the terrain; and look for existing photographs of the location. “Good shots don’t just happen spur of the moment,” Baumgarten says. “The output equals the amount of work that goes into it. If I’m going anywhere, I plan my shots before I leave the house, even if I’m just going 15 minutes down the road.”

Plan Ahead

Tools + Tech

From bodies and lenses to slings and pack, here are the essentials every adventure photographer should have in their kit.

Two Apps Adventure Photographers Should Download

“Know when and where the sun will rise and set, where the Milky Way will be, where the moon will be—all in relation to the location you’re shooting.”

“Find any location on the planet, predict the weather conditions down to minute detail: cloud cover, humidity, wind speed, temp. I use it every day to figure out when and where is the best place to go.”

—Lee Hoy

–Peter Baumgarten

Photopills>

Clear outside>

This weathersealed pro lens offers an impressive 24-200mm equivalent focal range in a compact size. “If you only get one lens, this is it. You can do wide-angle or short telephoto shots. It could be your only lens on a trip, from the airport to the national park,” says Lee Hoy.

M.Zuiko 12-100mm f4.0 IS PRO

This cutting-edge weathersealed camera is designed for on-the-go pros. “It’s light and powerful, and I can throw it in a pack easily and it doesn’t weigh me down,” says Peter Baumgarten.

OM-D E-M1 Mark III

In-Camera 5-Axis Image Stabilization

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Dual Phase + Contrast Detection Autofocus

IPX1 Weathersealing

I call it the iPhone killer, because it has almost every function that an iPhone has, but brings in some pro-level features,” says Lee Hoy. With shake-free image stabilization and built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, the compact Mark IV makes capturing and sharing a breeze.

OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

4K Video

121-Point Contrast Detection Autofocus

In-Camera 5-Axis Image Stabilization

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Lightweight, compact, and adventure-ready, this lens is packed with pro-level features like ultra-wide angle of view. “I use this lens 95 percent of the time and go into every situation with it on my camera,” says Chris Poplawski.

M.Zuiko 7-14mm f2.8 PRO

“The microfiber works for wiping away dust, and the cleaning wipes are for smudges and grime,” Chris Poplawski explains.

Microfiber Cloth Wipes

“I always carry my binoculars because they allow me to cover less ground. I can look for game trails or fresh tracks on adjacent peaks, so I know if it’s a good area to search,” says Brooke Bartleson. These binos, from Olympus, offer high optical performance, a wide field of vision, and up to 16 times magnification in a light package.

Olympus Explorer Binoculars

Look for one that wraps around your shoulder and torso, giving you instant access to your camera. Lee Hoy swears by his Black Rapid Sport Sling: “Hiking, rock scrambling…I wear this strap all the time,” he says.

An Upgraded Sling

A dedicated photography pack can be a game changer. Weather resistance, built-in organization, and camera-specific features like customizable dividers make on-the-fly kit changes fast and simple. Peter Baumgarten is partial to his Wandrd Prvke: “It’s really easy to travel with because it’s so small, and it handles tough terrain.”

An Adventure-Ready Photo Pack

With a 600mm equivalent focal length, this handheld super telephoto lens punches well above its size. And with in-lens stabilization that syncs with the camera body’s stabilization and durable weathersealed construction, it’s built with adventure in mind.

M.Zuiko 300mm f4.0 IS PRO

“I used other camera systems for 20 years, but I switched to Olympus because the bodies and lenses are so much lighter and more durable. I’m saving five pounds of gear weight compared to my old kit and never worry about shooting in bad weather. That means a lot when I’m hiking ten miles, or shooting in minus 16-degree temperatures," says Lee Hoy.

“If budget is a concern, get a less expensive camera body and spend more on the lens. Getting the highest-quality lens you can afford will translate into better photographs," says Lee Hoy.

“You gotta press all the buttons. Play with your camera at home, practice with different settings, see what it can do so you know how to use it in the field,” says Chris Poplawski.

FOCUSED TIPS

Want to capture a skier’s all-out speed? A landscape’s grandeur? A fox’s subtlety? We asked action, landscape, and wildlife specialists for their best advice on how to master each discipline.

Wildlife

Landscape

Know the sport you’re shooting

Have a good understanding of the sport and the type of action you’re going to see. You want to know what a climber looks like while reaching for a hold and what a biker should look like when dropping over a boulder. “Know what trick they’re doing, where their face will be in the frame, and how to get yourself into the best position to capture the action the moment that it will be the most photogenic,” says Brooke Bartleson.

Action

Chris Poplawski

OM-D E-M1 Mark III | M.Zuiko 17mm F1.2 PRO | f10 | 1/125 sec | ISO 64

If you’re trying to capture fast-moving sports like mountain biking, you’ll need a shutter speed that can keep up with the action. “Shutter speed is the key to action photography,” Chris Poplawski says. “When in doubt, choose a higher shutter speed, which will allow you to capture the motion without blurring the subject.”

Use a Higher Shutter Speed

Chris Poplawski

OM-D E-M1 Mark II | M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO | f2.8 | 1/1600 sec | ISO 64

Olympus explorer Tyler Glass

Make the subject the star

tyler glass

OM-D E-M5 Mark III | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO | f3.5 | 1/125 sec | ISO 200

Forests surrounding trails can be visually busy, so you need to think about framing your subject in relation to the background. “Put them in a space where they’re going to stand out,” says Tyler Glass. “Make sure no colors are clashing and that the colors they’re wearing will pop against the background. The viewer’s eye should see the person initially, then the image as a whole.”

Get Snap Happy

tyler glass

OM-D E-M5 Mark III | M.Zuiko 12-45mm F4.0 PRO | f4.5 | 1/200 sec | ISO 400

Go With the Flow

peter baumgarten

OM-D E-M1 Mark II | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO | f11 | 1/60 sec | ISO 400

One of the biggest challenges of action photography is learning whether to shoot vertical or horizontal. The scene will often determine the orientation of the composition, and fighting it by shooting a vertical shot horizontally, or vice versa, will sacrifice key data. “Try not to force a composition on a scene,” says Lee Hoy. “You need to be able to read the scene and let it dictate the composition.” For example, if you’re shooting a kayaker slicing through the everglades, and there’s a heron above him, tall and relaxed, the scene wants a vertical composition.

Getting a good action shot means taking that shot over and over, having your subject repeat the sequence multiple times. Be specific about where you want your subject to go, and try the shot from different angles. “You should shoot the same action several times so you get some variety when you get back to the computer,” Chris Poplawski says. “If you’re there to create something, it’s going to take some time.”

Patience Is Everything

You woke up before dawn, hiked seven miles to a backcountry pond that attracts big game, and all that work has paid off; elk are on the edge of the water. But don’t start snapping photos right away. “Once you come onto a scene, it pays to wait a few minutes, get really still, and allow the wildlife to return to its regular routine,” Lee Hoy says. “You can’t push with wildlife. You have to be patient. Settle in and allow the animal to return to normal behavior and you’ll get more natural images.”

Peter Baumgarten

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0 IS PRO + MC-20 Teleconverter | f8 | 1/1000 sec | ISO 1000

Focus on What You Can Control

Brooke Bartleson

OM-D E-M5 Mark III | M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0 IS PRO | f4 | 1/640 sec | ISO 300

Visualize Success

Lee Hoy

OM-D E-M1X | M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 PRO + MC-20 Teleconverter | f7.1 | 1/500 sec | ISO 1600

Getting close to wildlife with a proper telephoto lens is just the beginning. The next step is lowering your angle so you’re eye-to-eye with the subject. “Even if you have to lie flat on your belly, or climb on the hood of your car, your shots will feel so much more intimate if you are level with the animal’s eyes,” Brooke Bartleson says. “It makes the shot so much more intimate, giving your viewers a moment they’d never experience with the naked eye.”

Get on the Animal’s Level

lee hoy

OM-D E-M1 Mark III | M.Zuiko 12-40mm F2.8 PRO | f16 | 1/25 sec | ISO 400

Forget About Golden Hour

Brooke Bartleson

OM-D E-M1 Mark III | M.Zuiko 300mm F4.0 IS PRO | f4 | 1/500 sec | ISO 200

Wildlife

Action

But Make Sure Those People Help Tell the Story

Tyler GLass

OM-D E-M1 Mark III | M.Zuiko 40-150mm F2.8 PRO | f4.5 | 1.0 sec | ISO 200

It’s Ok to Have People in Your Landscape Photos

tyler glass

OM-D E-M1 Mark II | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO | f2.8 | 1/320 sec | ISO 400

Make “Old” Landscapes New

peter baumgarten

OM-D E-M1 Mark II | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO | f7.1 | 1/80 sec | ISO 200

The wide angle is a landscape photographer’s most trusted lens, but it’s not always the best tool for the job. Sometimes that giant field of view makes the features you’re photographing look small; other times you want to capture more than your standard wide angle can grasp. “Landscape photographers should play with ultra-wide lenses like fisheye, and telephoto lenses,” says Peter Baumgarten. “Experiment. Shoot at the extremes to see what you get.”

Change Up Your Lenses

Chris Poplawski

OM-D E-M5 Mark III | M.Zuiko 7-14mm F2.8 PRO | f7.1 | 1/200sec | ISO 640

Landscapes are static, but light is fleeting. You need to be comfortable with all of the camera’s settings so you don’t miss the shot because you’re fumbling with the aperture. Watch YouTube instructional videos; monkey around with every feature in your backyard and local park. “You gotta press all the buttons,” says Chris Poplawski. “Play with your camera at home, practice with different settings, see what it can do so you know how to use it in the field.”

Know Your Camera Before you go into the field

Tyler Glass

OM-D E-M1 Mark III | M.Zuiko 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS | f6.3 | 1/250 sec | ISO 100

Landscape

The moments surrounding sunrise and sunset offer ideal light for photography, but wild animals show different behaviors that are worth capturing throughout the day. “There is no golden hour for wildlife photography,” says Brooke Bartleson, pointing to baby foxes, who are left to their own devices in the middle of the day as their parents hunt. “Kit foxes are so curious when they’re unsupervised. They wander, claw at trees, splash in puddles…There are cool behaviors that happen in the middle of the day that you don’t want to miss.”

Picture the shots you want to take before you set foot on the location. Mentally catalogue all the stages of bagging a great one. Where do you need to be standing to get the shot you want of the buffalo or heron? Do you need to be kneeling or lying down? What settings do you plan to use? “I have a game plan before I get into the field,” says Lee Hoy. “Things can happen in the field to change my approach, but envisioning how I’m going to capture an image is a key part of the planning process.”

Wildlife can behave erratically and there’s nothing you can do about that. “You can’t tell a fox to walk into a certain spot or look your way,” Brooke Bartleson says. “You have to control what you can and think creatively about your background and foreground to help frame the subject.” Bartleson even goes so far as to pack in some foliage, like a sprig of evergreen, that she’ll place in the corner of the shot to help frame the subject.

Certain landscapes—the stone rainbows in Arches, Half Dome in Yosemite—have been so heavily photographed that it’s tough to get a unique shot. The key to making those “old” landscapes seem new is a creative angle. “I try to challenge myself and find a new perspective,” says Chris Poplawski. “Can I get higher or lower than the crowd? Can I stand behind a bush and look for a natural peephole from the trees? Foliage can be a natural element that pulls you into a subject. Be mobile in the moment. Get on rocks, climb higher, lie on the ground, use the grass, get in a bush… There are a million ways of looking at something. Don’t stick with the first angle you see.”

It can be hard to show just how grand that waterfall or arch or tree truly is without a point of reference. Adding people to a landscape shot can add the scale necessary to translate the scope of the scene to the viewer. “I almost always have people in my shots for this reason,” says Tyler Glass. “But I find the frame first, then work my way into putting the person in the shot.”

A static person in a photo comes off as a prop. Make sure the person in your landscape photo is doing something, not just standing and looking into the distance. “Even a simple action like walking or drinking a cup of coffee can help tell a story,” Peter Baumgarten says. “Always remember that photographers are storytellers.

Meet the Experts

Brooke Bartleson

Olympus Explorer

Chris Poplawski

Olympus Explorer

Tyler Glass

Olympus Explorer

Peter Baumgarten

Olympus Visionary

Lee Hoy

Olympus Educator

Based in the rugged mountains of Big Bend, Texas, Hoy’s passion for wildlife photography has taken him around the world. He takes pride in photographing the tough-to-find species, like bobcats and coyotes. “I once did a ten-mile hike just to photograph a certain bird that only breeds here in the Chisos Mountains,” Hoy says. “I could pick easier work, but it’s worth it for me.

Lee Hoy

Olympus Educator

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Glass fell in love with adventure early in life, found photography shortly after college, and quickly blended his two passions after his Instagram feed evolved into a career.

Tyler Glass

Olympus Explorer

Best known for his landscape and wildlife photographs, northern Ontario–based Baumgarten has been taking photos since he was 12. His first camera? An Olympus. “I stick with Olympus because it fits the adventure style of photography I enjoy. I need camera gear that’s light and weathersealed and can go with me wherever I go.”

Peter Baumgarten

Olympus Visionary

Though he focuses on landscape and wildlife photography, Poplawski considers himself a jack of all trades, shooting products, weddings, cars, portraits, action, and landscapes. And he advises all would-be photographers to shoot anything and everything. “The skills you’ll learn will translate and help inform your art when you find that niche you love,” Poplawski says.

Chris poplawski

Olympus Explorer

Based in Salt Lake City, Bartleson shoots landscape and action photos but is best known for her intimate wildlife photography. “Wildlife photography is kind of unique because there’s so much relevant conservation work that needs to be done right now,” Bartleson says. “Taking pictures of animals is a cool way to get people engaged and care about conservation and protecting animals.”

Brooke Bartleson

Olympus Explorer

This expert advice is sure to help any adventure photographer build foundational skills.

Essential Skills

the

Expert tips, gear, and skills that will help you take your adventure photography to the next level

Meet the experts

adventure

handbook