You actually can use flash photography in the caves, but the results are usually disappointing. The caves have a lot of natural earthy colours in their formations; using a flash just reduces everything to the same monotonous brown, capturing the rock shape but not the unusual colours Using a longer exposure and traditional film can work well at capturing the colours, but only if you able to hold the camera steady for several seconds. Usually we use a tripod for this, but tripods are not permitted on the Jenolan Cave Tours. You can compromise with a camera on a single pole (a monopod), which can usually be held reasonably steady.
Another disadvantage of the flash is the effect it has on shadows – it removes them completely. A professional, who doesn’t have to worry about keeping up with the tour group, can set up lighting to capture a realistic image (i.e.: how it appears to our unaided eyes), but we are very unlikely to have that luxury. A flash that can be detached from the camera and held at a distance can sometime produce quite good results, but these type of camera systems are not very common,
Because of the dim nature of the cave features a camera’s autofocus tends to do erratic things. Manual focus is much better for this. Also, set the cameras white balance while taking the first photos; with the dim light it will be quite different to the normal setting you are used to.
When taking a photo start by putting your camera’s f stop on the largest setting. Use image stabilizer if you have it, and hold the camera steady on the monopod. Leaning against a railing for support can be beneficial.
Of course most photography these days is digital. And while cheap digital cameras don’t provide a lot of choice of operation their expensive counterparts still do. One great advantage of digital is that you can assess the result at the time and make changes as necessary. Try different setting on the first photo and take note of what works. Minor variations of this setting should work for the rest of the trips images.
The other advantage of digital photography it that you can always photoshop the images latter on. This isn’t cheating! It’s making the photo look more like the actual object that you see with the unaided eye. Turning the colour up and adjusting the contrast can make an ordinary photo into something that is worthy of the memory.
The Jenolan Caves tours are about the sights you are seeing; don’t compromise your enjoyment of the day be being too preoccupied with the photography, and consider the impact you may have on the other visitors.
Another disadvantage of the flash is the effect it has on shadows – it removes them completely. A professional, who doesn’t have to worry about keeping up with the tour group, can set up lighting to capture a realistic image (i.e.: how it appears to our unaided eyes), but we are very unlikely to have that luxury. A flash that can be detached from the camera and held at a distance can sometime produce quite good results, but these type of camera systems are not very common,
Because of the dim nature of the cave features a camera’s autofocus tends to do erratic things. Manual focus is much better for this. Also, set the cameras white balance while taking the first photos; with the dim light it will be quite different to the normal setting you are used to.
When taking a photo start by putting your camera’s f stop on the largest setting. Use image stabilizer if you have it, and hold the camera steady on the monopod. Leaning against a railing for support can be beneficial.
Of course most photography these days is digital. And while cheap digital cameras don’t provide a lot of choice of operation their expensive counterparts still do. One great advantage of digital is that you can assess the result at the time and make changes as necessary. Try different setting on the first photo and take note of what works. Minor variations of this setting should work for the rest of the trips images.
The other advantage of digital photography it that you can always photoshop the images latter on. This isn’t cheating! It’s making the photo look more like the actual object that you see with the unaided eye. Turning the colour up and adjusting the contrast can make an ordinary photo into something that is worthy of the memory.
The Jenolan Caves tours are about the sights you are seeing; don’t compromise your enjoyment of the day be being too preoccupied with the photography, and consider the impact you may have on the other visitors.
Note: caves are quite cool and very humid; fogged up camera lens that ruin photographs are quite common, especially if you are walking in from a less humid climate outside. You may have to clean the camera lens to prevent blurry images.