15 Tips to Remember |
1. Decide what the subject is, and leave out the rest. You don't want to distract your viewers too much from what you are trying to show them. Whether your subject is a broad landscape or a person's eye, frame the photo so that your subject is obvious. In general, you can benefit from the maxim, "when you think you are close enough, get closer." This last part is particularly tough for Americans, who tend to like their space. 2. Watch the edges for ugly and intrusive objects. Get rid of the orange construction cones, power lines, and that lamp post growing out of your significant other's head. 3. Use your flash during the day. Most people use their flash in the dark. Using it during the day can help get rid of those shadows on your wife's face, get a proper exposure in a backlit setting, and brighten things up on a dreary day. 4. Place your main subject off center. Sometimes symmetry is emphasized by putting your main subject dead center in the frame, but most of the time, your photos will look much less static and more interesting by placing the subject away from the middle. 5. Take a camera support. Tripods offer stability, providing sharper photos and the capability to use slower shutter speeds. They also allow you to get in the photo yourself. You don't have to take one of those big, clunky ones. A table top model, a bean bag, or even a wash cloth can be used to support your camera in many situations. 6. Photograph in good light. Nothing turns a ho-hum photo into an attention getter better than good lighting. The most flattering light for many subjects is the first 2-3 hours after the sun comes up and the last 2-3 before it sets. This is when you get that magical golden glow. A lot of travelers miss this light by sleeping in or going to an early dinner. I always pick at least one morning to go out bright and early for some "serious photography," and the early morning is about the only time I get on business trips. 7. Think about geometry. Art - and photography is an art - is composed of line, form, shape, and color. Learn to utilize these characteristics of your surroundings to create visually engaging photos. Your choices can affect the mood of a photo (e.g., yellow conotes warmth) or serve to keep a viewer involved (e.g., lines that lead an observer to the main subject). 8. Find a good lab. There are lots of places to get your film processed, but the differences in quality are amazing. Look for a lab that produces good prints, doesn't overly scratch your negatives (if you scan, you will see why this matters so much), and is willing to do what it takes to satisfy you as the customer. 9. Look at photographs. Take a close look at your pictures and think about how they could be improved. Look at others' work in the library, the bookstore, and on the Web. This will help you hone your skills and learn to recognize a good photo op when you see one. 10. If you really want an intimate portrait of a person or animal, then get on your subject's level, even if that means getting dirty. 11. Choose your film wisely. There are lots of good films out there, but they are not all created equal. Not only are some better than others, but they are not all suited for the same purposes. Most importantly, don't wait until a big trip or major family event to try out a new one. 12. Work your subject. Try photos of the same subject in different light, from varying angles, zoom in, zoom out, try horizontals and verticals. 13. Try to add an interesting foreground subject, especially in scenics. Look for a cow or flower to place in front of the mountains or take a closeup of your spouse with a pyramid in the background. An attractive foreground adds interest and depth to a photo, and really gets the viewer's attention. 14. Plan, plan, plan. Think about how much film you will need, when to be where for the best light, and what subjects you want to photograph. 15. Sometimes you need to forget the "rules" and use your imagination. Don't be afraid to break "the rules." Turn the camera at an angle, let the subject blur, or place the object right dead center in the frame. Experiment and have fun. Notice I didn't say "get a good camera." Equipment matters, to be sure, but the person operating the camera is so much more important. If anyone looks at one of your photos and says "you must have a good camera," take it as an insult. If someone looks at your photos and says "you are a good photographer," take it as a compliment. |
The One-eyed Traveler |
This page was last updated on: September 9, 2002
Text and photos copyright 1984-2002 Dan Woodlief |
