How to Shoot Great Photos in Big Bear Lake: Part 1

Big Bear Lake is always photo ready. Whether you're on the road, in town or on the trails, it's hard not to reach for that phone and snap a photo in an Instagram-able moment. But, maybe that phone camera doesn't do the scenery justice. Or maybe the lighting and shadows aren't the vibe? What do you need in those moments? One thing you don't need, is professional or expensive equipment! When I began scenic photography, I learned that the best camera is the one you have with you.

I'm Brady Enger - owner and operator of Bending Energy Photography - and I'm thrilled to share my top tips to take with you as you capture this Southern California mountain escape.

All photos owned by BEP and subject to copywrite laws.

Golden Hour

I’m sure you’ve at least heard of it. Golden Hour is thought to be the ideal time for photography. It includes the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset. Photographers prefer shooting during these times because of the softer lighting and warm, inviting feeling. But, you'll want to try to have the entire scene lit so your photo isn't mismatched with bright and dark.

High Noon Harshness

As the day goes on, I try not to shoot too much when the sun is at its highest. A sun high in the sky produces lots of dark shadows and it can be difficult to light a scene evenly. Photos will tend to have sun glare or be overly exposed. Though many photographers have mastered the art of over exposure so don't hesitate to brighten your photo for an artistic flair.

Evening & Sunset Shoots

My favorite time to shoot is right before sunset, through sunset, and into the night. Again, Golden Hour is just before sunset, when your photos can have that soft golden tone. Once that hour is up, we have the sunset itself. When there are high clouds in the sky, you're in for an extremely colorful scene! Clouds can add so much to a landscape so don't be disappointed if you're shooting on an overcast day.

Once the sun disappears, we can marvel at the night sky above us. Night sky photography is a subject all on its own, so stay tuned for part 2!

Play with Perspective

Not every photo has to be straight on towards your subject. Try different angles like getting on the ground and aiming your lens upward. Or get up high and shoot your subject from above. You can also focus in on a singular point - like a water droplet on a leaf - and blur the surrounding scenery. Or try zooming out but keeping your subject the main focus - like a lone tree standing in a flat landscape. Different angles and focuses create visual interest and feelings toward your subject.

The great thing about photography, is that it plays to everyone's preference. I might not like shooting at a certain time of day or in a certain style, but it doesn’t mean someone else won’t like it or produce beautiful art with that. Photography is about getting creative with your subject.

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Brady Enger is the owner of Bending Energy Photography which offers professional photo and video services for real estate, portraits, advertisements, products, and promotional videos. Follow this talented artist on Facebook and Instagram, and learn more at BendingEnergy.com.