Choose suitable subjects
Summer light isn’t perfect, but there is no lack of subject matter.
Flowers
From late spring until mid-summer, bushlands, fields and pastures come alive with flowers. Bluebells flower in woods during May, as does thrift on coastal cliff tops. In June and July, fields of poppies stretch into the distance – and in recent years, pale pink opium poppies have also been grown for pharmaceutical use, though you’ll need to photograph from a distance, as most pharmaceutial fields are strictly regulated in Australia. In mid to late August, heather blooms, covering Tasmanian hillsides with purple, while Christmas plants and waratah make for strikingly red compositions.
To shoot wild flowers, you can get in close with a wide angle lens to exaggerate perspective or use the compression effect of a telephoto to create the impression of a thick carpet. Alternatively, use a macro lens and narrow depth of field to isolate them from their surroundings.
Crops
Fields of crops such as canola, wheat and barley also make great subject matter; for something different, try shooting with a restricted depth of field or a long shutter speed to create motion blur.
Misty mornings
Most people associate misty mornings with spring and autumn, but they are surprisingly common during the summer – look for clear, still nights and the temperature falling after a warm day. If you think there’s a chance of mist, get out early and head for the hills. Looking down onto trees and buildings rising above a low mist is a recipe for striking images.
The night sky
Clear nights in are perfect for shooting the night sky, especially the milky way. You’ll need a fast wide angle (with a maximum aperture of f2.8 or faster) and a camera capable of good results at high ISO. Focused on infinity, shoot wide open with exposures of no longer than 15 seconds to avoid recording movement in the stars – this requires very high ISO settings.