Photography Basics

Photography Basics

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  + 1. Fill your frame Askyourself: “Would this look better if I were closer?” -Start further away and move closer to your subject -Fill your frame with elements that “fit”
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  + Don’t be afraidto get close -If you’re not slightly uncomfortable and feeling like you are invading your subject’s personal space, you’re probably not close enough.
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  + 2. Look for clean backgrounds Beaware of the environment around your subject -You can adjust your angles and your perspective to eliminate or include details from your photos -Don’t be afraid to move around and take lots of pictures to get the kind of background that you want -You can’t –always– control your background, but you can do things to keep it from being distracting
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  + Adjust your focusto erase a distracting background -Changing the settings on your camera can help you blur out things behind or in front of your subject that could distract your viewer
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  + 3. Find good light Goodlight can create depth, shape, perspective and texture in photos -The right lighting can make just about anyone look good -Bad lighting can just as easily make very attractive things… not so attractive -Be aware of your light and what it is doing to your subject
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  + You can usenatural light to highlight your subject -Once you start noticing how the light can impact your pictures, you will start to notice it everywhere -Natural light is the most flattering light -The worst light is what we deal with everyday—the kinds of lights that are in buildings and classrooms -In most cases, the FLASH is NOT YOUR FRIEND. The camera flash unnaturally illuminates your focal point and can make people look pasty, diseased, etc. If at all possible, shoot without a flash!
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  + 4. KISS (Keep It Simple,Stupid) Your photos don’t have to be amazing action shots or high definition macro images to be interesting -You don’t have to have a $900 lens to be able to take gorgeous, interesting and creative photos -Simple things can tell amazing stories -Don’t complicate your pictures by trying to do too much
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  + 5. Use the Ruleof Thirds You focal point should not be in the exact center of your picture -Photos are divided into thirds, both horizontal and vertically -The most interesting composition places the subject in the cross sections of the thirds
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  + 6. Find Frames Being awareof your environment can help you find natural frames for your pictures -Schools are filled with frames—windows, doors, lockers, the arch of a tree branch, etc. -Absorb your surroundings and take note of how simple things can lend frames to your subjects
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  + Frames add dimension toyour photo -Framing your subject with natural elements of the environment help you tell your story -In portraits, you can use props to help frame your subject -Framing can add details to your story and help you convey your message
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  + 7. Achieve Balance Color, size,symmetry and focus can impact the balance in photos -Pictures don’t have to be perfectly symmetrical, but if they are wildly out of balance it confuses the viewer and the picture is not as effective
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  + 8. Use Lines & Shapes Geometryis your friend! Lines, shapes, curves and angles can all make your photos more interesting -An interesting shape or line in a photo will help your viewer know where to look -Shapes and lines can add impact and dimension to your pictures
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  + Lines do manythings in photos -Create shapes -Create patterns -Create depth -Create moods/feelings -Guide the eye
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  + 9. Avoid Mergers Mergers occurwhen elements from the environment, the cropping of the photo or the balance of color detracts from the impact of the photo -The best way to avoid mergers is to be very observant about what is going on in and around your subject in a photo
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  + Mergers are badand look awkward! Notice the tree growing out of his head? Cropping body parts/portions of people=bad
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  + How do youavoid mergers? -Never crop a person at their joins; instead, crop mid-limb if you cannot get all of them in the picture -Whenever possible, always include entire bodies -Watch your background for things that may sprout out of people’s heads -Don’t shoot with poor color balance; look for contrasting colors
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  + 10. Look for patterns and repetition Notevery photo will have these things, but when they do the level of interest is amplified -Colors, shapes, actions, expressions, etc. can all offer pattern and repetition in photos
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  + Patterns and colorsdon’t have to repeat perfectly to be interesting
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  + Disruption in Repetition Abreak in expected repetition can also be visually interesting
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  Recap: Guidelines forPhotography 1. Fill your frame 2. 2. Look for clean backgrounds 3. 3. Find good light 4. 4. KISS 5. 5. Use the Rule of Thirds + 6. 6. Find frames 7. 7. Achieve Balance 8. 8. Use lines & shapes 9. 9. Avoid mergers 10.10. Find repeating patterns and colors 1. Once you master these guidelines, you can start breaking them!