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04/16/2006 09:41:35 AM · #1 |
Here are a few things in my travels I have learned, and am sharing.
Part of a compilation of info I have gathered.
The first few I have is from Photo Secrets
If I am wrong, please state so, and correct me so that I may grow, and others may learn.
Secret #1
Almost any shot will look better if you take two or three steps closer to your subject. Filling the frame entirely with your subject will make a terrific difference to your photos.
Alternatively, instead of moving closer, use the Optical or Digital Zoom of your camera to get a close up shot.
When taking shots of family and friends, most people place the subject's full body in the frame, or place head and arms in the shot. Instead, fill the frame with your subject's FACE only - particularly if they are smiling or are in a moment of reflection.
Why does this work? With less clutter in the image, there's less to draw the eye away from the main subject of your photo. Also, human faces (particularly children's faces) are something we all feel pleasure looking at.
If you can't get close enough when you're taking the shot, you can zoom in later using photo editing software - crop out everything except the subject's face and see what a difference it makes.
When using the viewfinder for close shots, be careful of Parallax. Because the viewfinder is not at the same position as the camera's lens, centering the subject in the viewfinder may mean it is not centered for the lens resulting in an off-center final picture. Most digital cameras now come with an inbuilt LCD screen. You can eliminate this problem by using the LCD - which shows you what the lens sees - rather than the viewfinder.
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 10:35:40.
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04/16/2006 09:42:58 AM · #2 |
Secret #2
Cameras are marketed with both an Optical Zoom and Digital Zoom capability.
If you've used a film camera, you'll be used to optical zoom. Optical zoom uses the lens of the camera (the optics) to bring the subject closer. Digital zoom uses clever software to digitally enlarge a portion of the image - thus simulating optical zoom.
So, which is better? Definitely Optical zoom. Here's why.
Digital zoom is not really 'zoom' in the strictest definition of the term. Digital zoom just enlarges the image. Eg it takes a portion of the image and enlarges it back to full size. You lose quality because of the enlargement process so photos that have been taken with digital zoom won't look as good as those without.
You can perform the same result using image editing software on your computer. In fact, it can be better to crop and enlarge using your image software in your computer as you can decide exactly what part of the image to enlarge, and how much to enlarge by.
So when taking shots, use optical zoom only. If you need to zoom in further, use your editing software to select the best part of the image to keep. Ensure your camera warns you when it's switching to digital zoom from optical zoom, or use your settings to disable digital zoom entirely.
Why is clarity important? The more clarity you have in your image, the larger the printed size can be without the image appearing fuzzy, or blocky. If you want to keep clarity in your images, use the optical zoom whenever possible, and avoid the digital zoom.
How do you use Optical Zoom? When you zoom in using your camera, it will use Optical zoom first and then use Digital zoom. You can usually set your camera to notify you when it starts to use the Digital zoom, or tell it to not use digital zoom at all. Consult your manual for details.
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04/16/2006 09:43:52 AM · #3 |
i never u digital zoom
correct me if im wrong, but aren't you able to mimick its effect in photoshop if u wanted to?
Edit,didnt see the second message u posted, i was typing this one : )
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 09:44:42.
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04/16/2006 09:45:19 AM · #4 |
Secret #3
Rather than placing your main subject in the middle of the screen, place it to one side and ensure something interesting is in the background that fills the remainder of the image.
This can be especially effective if the background has the same theme. For example, if photographing a child opening a Christmas present, frame them to one side and have the Christmas Tree with unopened presents filling the rest of the image.
There are a few guidelines that cam help you place your subject in the frame.
The Rule of Thirds
One of the most popular rules in photography is the "Rule of Thirds". It is a simple rule that can add dynamism to your photos. Simply, divide the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. When composing your shot, place important elements either along these lines, or where the lines intersect - NOT at the centre of the frame.
For example, place a subject's eyes where the top line is, or place your subject on the place in the image where two of these lines intersect.
It's a very simple rule to follow and will result in a nicely balanced, easy on the eye picture. It also helps get rid of the 'tiny subject and large amount of space' tendency because you need to position items relative to the edges of the frame.
Having said this, the Rule of Thirds is also one of the rules you'll want to break often! This is fine - the Rule of Thirds is more of a guideline and sometimes you will find a better image when you break the rule.
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04/16/2006 09:48:37 AM · #5 |
Secret #4
Children make a wonderful subject. Here are some tips for ensuring photos of children are even more memorable.
Meet them eye-to-eye
Bring yourself down to the child.s level . even if you need to crouch down. This will give your shots a 'kids eye view' and won't distort their image (as taking the shot from above does).
Capture natural expressions
While posed shots are great, often better results can be gained by capturing an image when their thoughts are preoccupied with something else . eg while at play. You.ll capture their faces enjoying the moment rather than thinking about the camera.
Familiarity ensures success
Children who have grown up having their photo taken will be a lot less likely to freeze or show off in front of a camera. Start early and make photo taking a part of every day out.
Children grow up quickly
Record their growth from toddler to child to young adult by taking a family photo every year around the same time . either the first day of school, or during spring events.
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04/16/2006 09:49:30 AM · #6 |
| While this is helpful information, you'd probably ought to cite your source. |
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04/16/2006 09:55:20 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by mk:
While this is helpful information, you'd probably ought to cite your source. |
Sources's = Sports Shooter, PC Photo, American Photographer, DPC, David Peterson, Professinal Photographers of America, American Cinematographer, The Perfect Picture School of Photography, Joe Gallo Director of Photogrphpy, and a whole bunch more if given time I can also put down for referance.
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04/16/2006 09:57:53 AM · #8 |
Secret #5
when taking pictures outside make sure the horizon is horizontal, a very slight tilt can make a great picture look really bad, but this can be fixed in photoshop at the cost of a slight crop.
when placing the horizon in the picture try not to keep it in the center, either at the lower1/3 with 2/3 sky or at the upper 1/3 with 2/3 ground, depends on what you are takeing a picture of, and if the skies are beautiful or just dull, no reason to take up to much space in the frame for an ugly sky.
when placing your subject in the frame again try not to keep it centered, when you look at a picture you use both eyes, the center of the picture isn't in front of either eye so it's the place least interesting in the frame, try using the left 1/3 line or the right 1/3 line to place the main subject.
if you are taking a picture of a person in front of a waterfall try placing the waterfall on one side and the person on the other side of the frame, you can't move the waterfall so it's easier for you to move to one side to place the subjects correctly (just an example but works in most situations).
when shooting outside in direct sunlight try not to have the sun directly behind you as it will make the light very flat without shadows, try keeping the sun to one side but not so far to the side so it shines in to the lens.
who's got secret #6 ?
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 09:58:14.
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04/16/2006 09:59:12 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Originally posted by mk:
While this is helpful information, you'd probably ought to cite your source. |
Sources's = Sports Shooter, PC Photo, American Photographer, DPC, David Peterson, Professinal Photographers of America, American Cinematographer, The Perfect Picture School of Photography, Joe Gallo Director of Photogrphpy, and a whole bunch more if given time I can also put down for referance. |
Then congrats on being so widely published across the internet. |
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04/16/2006 10:05:24 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by mk:
Then congrats on being so widely published across the internet. |
I sense a problem.
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04/16/2006 10:09:36 AM · #11 |
i think secret #6 seems to be
post processing is a must.
ifn you think that you can get by with straight out of the camera jpegs you are probably missing a whole world of potential. not that one should consider it to be the main focus of the image quality, only that it should be thought of as a part of the process that makes a comlete imaging process.
i have just learned this one.
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04/16/2006 10:10:10 AM · #12 |
Secret #7 - Don't listen too much to people in the photo/tv/cinema business. Many of them don't have any more talent or skill than you do. Read a few books (borrow them instead of buying them, since most of them just spew the same old rhetoric), read your manual and study compositional elements / lighting / etc of photos that you really enjoy to see what seperates them from the rest of the stuff that leaves you uninspired.
Also, learn when it's good to take a break. Sometimes when we chase the challenges, such as those posted on sites like this one, we stop shooting for us and the pleasure goes out of it. Put the camera down and let your inspiration come back to you.
Oh yeah. Don't take these threads or the info in them too seriously eaither some times since some people have real Napoleon issues.
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 10:21:12. |
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04/16/2006 10:10:21 AM · #13 |
what do you mean u sense a problem?
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04/16/2006 10:14:02 AM · #14 |
They're all word for word from this guy's site:
//timothyschwartz.com/
EDIT: except #5 is supposed to be "Take more, erase your shots"
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 10:16:10.
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04/16/2006 10:16:30 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by deapee:
They're all word for word from this guy's site:
//timothyschwartz.com/
EDIT: except #5 is supposed to be "Take more, erase your shots" |
You da man. |
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04/16/2006 10:18:51 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by mk:
While this is helpful information, you'd probably ought to cite your source. |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Sources's = Sports Shooter, PC Photo, American Photographer, DPC, David Peterson, Professinal Photographers of America, American Cinematographer, The Perfect Picture School of Photography, Joe Gallo Director of Photogrphpy, and a whole bunch more if given time I can also put down for referance. |
heh...lotsa places listed there for sources.
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04/16/2006 10:19:11 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by deapee:
They're all word for word from this guy's site:
//timothyschwartz.com/
EDIT: except #5 is supposed to be "Take more, erase your shots" |
And this one as well...
Photography secrets
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04/16/2006 10:21:10 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by deapee:
Originally posted by mk:
While this is helpful information, you'd probably ought to cite your source. |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Sources's = Sports Shooter, PC Photo, American Photographer, DPC, David Peterson, Professinal Photographers of America, American Cinematographer, The Perfect Picture School of Photography, Joe Gallo Director of Photogrphpy, and a whole bunch more if given time I can also put down for referance. |
heh...lotsa places listed there for sources. |
Just getting started.
Any help is welcome.
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 10:21:47.
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04/16/2006 10:22:39 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Originally posted by deapee:
They're all word for word from this guy's site:
//timothyschwartz.com/
EDIT: except #5 is supposed to be "Take more, erase your shots" |
And this one as well...
Photography secrets |
So then why'd you list like 30 pages as your "source" then? Why didn't you just link to where you copied the information from, so the original author could get *some* credit for their work? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you weren't trying to pass it off as your own creation...but you gotta admit, it looks pretty bad at this point...
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Here are a few things in my travels I have learned, and am sharing.
If I am wrong, please state so, and correct me so that I may grow, and others may learn. |
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04/16/2006 10:28:23 AM · #20 |
it is still things he has learned nonetheless.
it really doesnt matter where he got these things that are widely published all over the place.
i took his statement to mean that he actually understands and beleives them to be things that should be included in photography, rather than an arbitrary rule to be broken.
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04/16/2006 10:29:47 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by deapee:
So then why'd you list like 30 pages as your "source" then? Why didn't you just link to where you copied the information from, so the original author could get *some* credit for their work? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you weren't trying to pass it off as your own creation...but you gotta admit, it looks pretty bad at this point...
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Here are a few things in my travels I have learned, and am sharing.
If I am wrong, please state so, and correct me so that I may grow, and others may learn. |
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Yep, your right. I was just getting started like I said. I have a compilation of sites, and info.
NONE OF WHICH ARE ANY OF MY OWN THOUGHTS. COPY AND PASTE ONLY.
Sorry for my bad, not a plagerist, just wanted to share the compilation.
Message edited by author 2006-04-16 10:31:00.
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04/16/2006 10:32:40 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Here are a few things in my travels I have learned, and am sharing.
If I am wrong, please state so, and correct me so that I may grow, and others may learn.
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then you might want to change this one in your first post. This gives the idea these ARE your own words.
Maybe add a link from your source to all of your posts too. |
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04/16/2006 10:35:04 AM · #23 |
Originally posted by biteme:
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Here are a few things in my travels I have learned, and am sharing.
If I am wrong, please state so, and correct me so that I may grow, and others may learn.
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then you might want to change this one in your first post. This gives the idea these ARE your own words.
Maybe add a link from your source to all of your posts too. |
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04/16/2006 10:36:58 AM · #24 |
well, my rule #6 was not my words.
just in case all yall thought they were my own fabrication and had some sort of epiphany at that moment. i have to apologize.
i actually learned it here, more specifically the learning thread posted by bear_music.
unsure ifn he will sue me for that or not. i hope this public apology to him will suffice.
thanx
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04/16/2006 10:39:34 AM · #25 |
Originally posted by biteme:
then you might want to change this one in your first post. This gives the idea these ARE your own words.
Maybe add a link from your source to all of your posts too. |
Done.
I will try to give better thought to keyboard next time.
Sorry for any misgivings. Truly am embarressed.
Can this thread continue, or shall I just fade away?
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