There’s a reason Mark Twain is still incorrectly quoted as saying “the coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” While other parts of the country are sweltering, average summertime highs in San Francisco range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, making the City by the Bay a refreshing escape from the heat.

Many landscape photographers consider lens filters to be the most important accessories they own, carrying an extensive assortment that borders on obsession. But what if you don’t want to take things quite so far, but are interested in a few filters that will greatly enhance your results? Read on!

This tutorial from the Andy H Photography YouTube channel narrows down your choices to a small (and less expensive) filter collection in barely four minutes. He puts it like this: “In this video I demonstrate the impact of the “most important filters” for landscape and nature photography and explain how to use them.”

According to Andy, you can get by with just four: a circular polarizer (CPL) and three neutral Density (ND) filters of varying strengths—an ND8, ND64 and ND1000. He also explains a technique known as filter stacking and why you may want to try this too.

In this behind-the-scenes episode on the beautiful Mediterranean coast you’ll watch Andy capture a variety of photos—first with no filter at all, and then while employing the four mentioned above to shoot the same scene. You’ll not only earn the necessary camera settings for each type of filter but see the huge difference these accessories make to the look of the images.

Andy begins with the CPL that has a rotating from ring for increasing or decreasing the effect you achieve. A quick comparison of the CPL image with the first unfiltered shot  reveals several key characteristics. The polarizer darkenes the sky and eliminates unwanted reflections on the water.

The video becomes even more interesting as Andy captures a succession of images with his three ND Filters, and the drama of the photos increase as he proceeds. We’ll leave it to him to explain the proper techniques and required settings, but the basic concept is this: ND Filters let you to make long exposures in bright sun by cutting the amount of light reaching the camera’s sensor—depending upon the strength of the filter employed.

Doing so enables you to enables you to capture eye-catching images of subjects in motion, with cotton-like clouds and soft-silky water for a surreal effect. You’ll also see how the recommended filters can be used in combination to further heighten the impact.

Andy’s instructional YouTube channel is a great source of shooting and editing lessons, gear discussions, and more. So pay a visit and explore what he has to offer—especially of landscape and nature photography are among your prime interests.

We also recommend that you watch the earlier tutorial we posted, demonstrating how to take your macro photography to the next level with several great tips from a small-world pro.

Today we’re exploring the characteristics of soft light and the different ways it can affect the impact of outdoor images, whether they’re landscapes, environmental portraits, or just about anything else. This tutorial comes to us from the folks the Great Big Photography World—a YouTube community of passionate creatives with a comprehensive range of lessons for shooters of all skills levels.

Today’s unnamed instructor kicks off the lesson with this: “Learning how to control soft light is an essential skill for all photographers.” This type of light is created by relatively large light source, like bright overcast skies or when light clouds momentarily enter the frame.

There are several ways that conditions like these can lessen the impact of an image, by muting colors, sacrificing detail, and introducing an overall flat appearancs devoid of contrast that’s less than ideal. Fortunately. there are several simple techniques and a couple of affordable accessories that will dramatically improve the impact of photos shot in soft light.

One basic fact is this: The closer a light source is when falling on a subject, the softer it will appear and the smoother the shadows will be. This not only holds true when shooting in the field, but when making indoor portraits by indirect window light.

As you’ll see, a simple lightweight umbrella can be a big help outdoors when the subject is close to the camera position—especially in mixed light. Examples include macro photos, portraits, and even when there’s a key element in the foreground. The trick is to learn how to control the light, because bad things tend to happen when it’s too diffused.

Another important consideration is the difference between shooting under deep cloud cover and intentionally positioning a key subject in the shade on brighter days. The instructor also reveals his recommended camera settings and exposure modes for different situations because “there are varying levels of soft light”—each requiring a unique approach.” And if the sun peaks out from behind the clouds and becomes too harsh, there are ways to prevent that direct illumination from spoiling your results.

We strongly recommend visiting the Great Big Photography World YouTube channel—whether you’re a beginner or seasoned pro—where you’ll find unique projects and helpful lessons on a wide variety of topics.

And don’t miss a tutorial we posted recently, featuring another accomplished pro who explains depth-of-filed mistakes that will prevent photographs from reaching their full potential. Then he provides straightforward secrets for unlocking the power of selective focus.

In the middle of the English Channel, Guernsey is smaller than its neighbour Jersey, and you can easily cycle around the entire coast in a day. Even better, hire an e-bike and it makes an easy adventure for cyclists of all levels. The Northern part of the island is completely flat with its wide bays home to vast sandy beaches. The only obstacle is the wind, but like most things in Guernsey, it’s fairly benign.

The South, however, is all rugged cliffs with steep descents into small bays and wooded coves. Of course going down means a tough following climb upwards, often to stunning viewpoints. Peppered around the coast are small kiosks and tea rooms providing welcome refreshment. You can do the whole island in a day but better to take it leisurely and split it into two.

And, in order to keep everything sustainable, I avoid flying and opt for slowish travel. That means taking the train to Poole and boarding the Condor Ferry which arrives in St Peter Port in around three hours.

Day 1: St Peter Port and the South

I start my coastal adventure by heading south from St. Peter Port towards the cliffs of Jerbourg Point. There are no cycle paths and the only option is to take the main road. However traffic is light and drivers tend to tuck in behind until there’s a safe opportunity for overtaking.

After I pass the Doyle monument, I’m soon at the headland overlooking Jerbourg Point. Jagged cliffs drop down to the sea and the rocks end in a series of stacks. From here, I take narrow lanes westwards, helpfully labelled Ruettes Tranquilles, which take me through attractive wooded glades.

I park my bike and walk down to Moulin Huet Bay, a favourite spot of the French painter Renoir. The bay’s clear waters and dramatic rock formations inspired many of his works. There follows a succession of tiny rocky beaches, including Saints Bay and Petit Bot with its tower.

All require further ups and downs but I’m soon at Torteval, on the South Western Tip. The headland is honeycombed with German fortifications from WW2 including the imposing Pleinmont Observation Tower. As I turn the corner, the landscape becomes gentler opening out to long wide bays.

Fort Grey, on Rocquaine Bay, an 18^th century fort, now houses a shipwreck museum, detailing disasters on the surrounding seas. As I cycle north I stop by at Lihou Island, a nature reserve only accessible by causeway at low tide. Here I turn inland, cycling due east through Castel back to St Peter Port. This is agricultural heaven, blessed by traditional farmhouses, and fields dotted with grazing Guernsey cows.

Day 2: St Peter Port and the North

Next day I head north, along the sea front of St Peter Port, to the working harbour at St Sampson. The coast leads me to little Fort Doyle perched on a rocky headland. Further on, at the northernmost tip, another fortification, Fort Le Marcand is slightly more substantial. It overlooks the long stretch of beach, known as Pembroke Bay, with its WW2 German fortified seawall.

The track turns into a footpath so I turn inland crossing the Royal Guernsey Golf Course before arriving at Le Grande Havre. The wide beach is guarded by the loopholed Rousse Tower, one of a series of 15 built at the end of the 18^th century, to repel the French. I battle the prevailing wind as I cross Cobo Bay before turning inland at Vazon Bay. It’s then a cross country ride back to St Peter Port.

Day 3:  Walk Fermain Bay and Jerbourg

I fancy getting of my bike and exploring on foot – one of most popular walks on Guernsey runs from St Peter Port to Fermain Bay. It’s a gentle wooded path, lined with spring flowers, with flights of steps, taking me up and down. Soon Fermain Bay comes into view, an attractive spot with a loopholed tower and boats moored in the bay.

It’s only taken me an hour so I decide to press on to Jerbourg Point. There are good views of the Pea Stacks and German fortifications on the headland. I follow the path along the clifftop to Petit Port and take hundreds of steps down to the bay. Climbing up again, I’m soon at Moulin Huet Bay and then turn back inland.

From here, it’s mainly road walking back to Sausmarez Manor, above Fermain Bay and onwards to St Peter Port. The last stretch turns off on a grassy path following the curtain wall of Fort George before descending to the South Esplanade and the capital. This is my last day on Guernsey and I’ll miss the gentle rhythm of exploring the island by bike and on foot.

Factfile

GO:  Condor Ferries sails daily to Guernsey from Poole in 3 hours for £56 each way for foot passengers. They also offer a 3 night B&B package at the Peninsula Hotel for £525.60 in September or £345.40 in October, based on single occupancy including return ferry fare.

Go Guernsey Land & Sea supplies e-bikes.

STAY:

• La Fregate is an exclusive boutique hotel in St Peter Port with an excellent restaurant.
• The Peninsula Hotel sits on Le Grande Havre Bay, on the other side of the island, and has great sea views.

EAT:  

• Puffin & Oyster is close to the Peninsula Hotel and offers grills and seafood.
• Balthazar is in St Peter Port and is good for fish.
• The Brasserie in the Old Government House Hotel has fine dining.

INFO: Visit Guernsey has tourist information.

Cicerone’s Walking on Guernsey is an excellent guide.

The post Guide to Bike and Walk Guernsey, Channel Islands appeared first on The Travel Magazine.