Taking photos outside
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I have the same problem. And with certain night photos too. I just get the gas station's bright lights.
You might want a parasol.
You’ll also learn the right angles to learn how to get the right shot easily if you can examine the picture right away.
You’ll also learn the right angles to learn how to get the right shot easily if you can examine the picture right away.
I use a digital camera and it is not nearly as much an issue. The camera display does not reflect as much light. The occasional times I use my phone, I just take a bunch and usually at least one comes out okay. That wouldn't work if you are using an app, of course. In that case I think you are just stuck. I doubt if even a parasol would provide enough shade
Honestly (and I'm not being flippant), the only thing that has worked for me is to just do a lot more gas stations. I have done so many (150 in the last 2 months alone in addition to my 40-50 regularly scheduled locations per month) that it's now just instinct. The more you do, the more that you will just "know" that they are OK.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2019 03:55AM by KarenMSW.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2019 03:55AM by KarenMSW.
Hmm. I wonder if you could take oodles of pics outdoors on your own time. This would give you lots of practice in similar conditions. Perhaps this would help you to achieve a comfort level that the others say is possible?
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
@Shop-et-al wrote:
Hmm. I wonder if you could take oodles of pics outdoors on your own time. This would give you lots of practice in similar conditions. Perhaps this would help you to achieve a comfort level that the others say is possible?
The difficulty is in capturing things like the canopy without catching the glare of the sun or having the sign in a weird shadow.
It all comes down to angles and it’s pretty easy once you realize that you have to adjust for the position of the sun. At some locations, it is really hard.
The suggestion of carrying your own shade was dismissed above. But it’s not about having shade for your lense, just having shade to see your screen after a pic. Really, a ballcap could do. You also should wear good shades for protection. You’re catching all that glare too.
If you're using an Android device you may be able to adjust the exposure. Change it to -1. In dark settings, like the dark audits, try +1. You can also edit the photo to make it lighter or darker. I take along a phone and a tablet because they don't both come out the same. Sometimes one works better, sometimes the other. It all depends on the lighting.
I've just gotten used to moving in and out of the shade (mostly the canopy) to look at the photos. It beats going back.
For other types of shops, I may go back to the car and check my images or walk slowly inside the location and check the images there before beginning the interaction. If necessary, I repeat the image after the task. This only works for some app assignments, and it is not going to help everyone.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
This would also allow you to learn the camera features on your phone. Open the settings on your camera and use each feature to see how they can help in super sunny situations.
@Shop-et-al wrote:
Hmm. I wonder if you could take oodles of pics outdoors on your own time. This would give you lots of practice in similar conditions. Perhaps this would help you to achieve a comfort level that the others say is possible?
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
After I take a certain number of photos, I go inside the gas station. It's not only to check the photos, it's also to cool off, save my work, and ensure information has been saved correctly.
Never allow the sun to be a backdrop. Turn up the brightness if you are using a smartphone. I always used a digital camera until the smartphones became technologically advanced to show a bright enough screen to be able to view the shot outdoors. Smartphones have auto focus nowadays. If you point the phone down at the ground, it will adjust the exposure.
Tip #1 Do not spend a lot of time focusing.
Tip #2 Avoid flash whenever possible, even at night.
Using flash at night can often make your shot darker in many situations.
At night, you may want to take bracket shots.
Tip #3 WYSIWYG; if the picture you just took does not look right on your view screen, then it will not look right on your report.
Tip #4 Take extra shots; just because it looks great on your smartphone or digital camera's small view screen, does not mean it will look great, sharp, and clear on your report. If using a smartphone, unpinch your fingers and look at the detail.
Tip #1 Do not spend a lot of time focusing.
Tip #2 Avoid flash whenever possible, even at night.
Using flash at night can often make your shot darker in many situations.
At night, you may want to take bracket shots.
Tip #3 WYSIWYG; if the picture you just took does not look right on your view screen, then it will not look right on your report.
Tip #4 Take extra shots; just because it looks great on your smartphone or digital camera's small view screen, does not mean it will look great, sharp, and clear on your report. If using a smartphone, unpinch your fingers and look at the detail.
Why I cannot do these shops in the summer.
Broad brim, but not floppy brim hat. Guys, you're on your own.
You know, the parasol comment was a bit of a joke but I have found something interesting. Sometimes I get a weird glare that causes my phone to wash out all the color in a picture. If I place my hand just over the top of the frame (not in the frame), it gives me the perfect shot. Sometimes my finger does get in the shot and I just crop the image.
It doesn't solve the whole problem but I found it interesting.
It doesn't solve the whole problem but I found it interesting.
LOL!
No hats here. The wind is too strong. I remember chasing escapee merch materials as they danced and jeered along with the wind, "Neener neener neener!" I cannot see me going after airborne headgear, in a panic, phone in hand... hoping that if I catch the errant hat I would not simultaneously drop the phone...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2019 01:40AM by Shop-et-al.
No hats here. The wind is too strong. I remember chasing escapee merch materials as they danced and jeered along with the wind, "Neener neener neener!" I cannot see me going after airborne headgear, in a panic, phone in hand... hoping that if I catch the errant hat I would not simultaneously drop the phone...
@kryswyn916 wrote:
Broad brim, but not floppy brim hat. Guys, you're on your own.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2019 01:40AM by Shop-et-al.
I usually try to take a couple shots from different sides of the canopy if possible and use whichever one looks better.
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