Family Photography How To

Every camera manufacturer offers at least one superzoom, but many people never use them to their full potential. Here are our favorite tips for shooting Farmer’s Markets with a superzoom camera. Why Farmer’s Markets? Because they’re widely accessible, filled with photo opps and offer an excellent venue to sharpen a photographer’s skills and/or test out new gear.

It’s assumed that you’re already well acquainted with your superzoom camera and have at least skimmed the owner’s manual. Even if you are not completely familiar with your camera’s operation, a Farmer’s Market is a great place to try out the features and zoom range. Do glance at the OM though—even though reading the instruction book is un-American, it’s a smart investment of your time.

5. Shoot wide
Use the wideangle end of the zoom range to create perspective. Include identifiable objects in the foreground for scale and include people if possible. Bright days permit small apertures which provide extended depth-of-field. This was shot at 24mm (equivalent) using a Nikon Coolpix B600.

4. Mushroom are always good
Mushrooms provide interesting texture and complex colors. Get in close and don’t be afraid to rearrange the fungus before you shoot.

3. Find faces
Look for interesting people. Vendors are often willing to cooperate and happy to receive a copy of the image you capture to post on their social media. For pleasing portraits (particularly head shots) set the zoom somewhere between the 85mm and 110mm focal length.

2. Get close
Vegetables, fruit, flowers and other items commonly found at Farmer’s Markets offers zillions of excellent subjects for macro photography. Here’s where knowledge of your superzoom pays dividends: how close can you focus? The image of the strawberry was taken a from a couple inches away.

1. Stabilize
Even if your superzoom has image stabilization, steady yourself by using a combination of good shooting posture and support from any nearby stationary object. Keep your elbows tucked in and your head still. If possible, position your side, hip or leg against a table or counter; press against it for support and you’ll be amazed how that helps you hold the camera still.

All photos in this article were shot with a superzoom camera. All images ©Jon Sienkiewicz

—Shutterbug Staff