Tip #4151 - Points to Consider
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Points
to Consider
Photography should
be approached a bit like journalism. Before you embark on your pictorial
expedition, you need to first ask yourself the four Ws and one H. You
know, who, when, where, why and how. Once you know what you're looking
for, photography becomes much more organized, focused and fulfilling.
So, if you're the kind of person who likes to take your time with your
photos, here are a few simple steps that can help you take your picture
quality to the next level. It's best to think of these easy tips before
you frame your shots. Alright, let's get started!
Tip 1: Concentrate
on the Story
If composition, framing
and exposure are essentials to photography, what's even more essential
before you click your first photograph is to first figure out the story
behind the picture. What are you trying to convey through the picture?
Is it purely to keep a record of a moment in time or are you trying to
capture a candid emotion or action? Or, better yet, is it possibly a shot
to give to someone? Is it part of a larger series of shots or will it
be the only shot to commemorate the moment? Once you have the answers
to these questions, the objective becomes clear and it will show through
in your pictures.
Tip 2: Focus on the Main Subject
Before you go on a
clicking spree, figure out whom or what should be the focal point in the
picture. Is it the park bench or the couple seated on it? Is it the tree
over them or the whole picture together? What part of the picture do you
want the viewers to see first? Once you’ve identified the focal
point, you can think about where to place it in the frame.
Tip 3: Look for Competing Focal Points
Once you’ve
identified what you want your viewers to see and have placed it in the
frame, scan for any competing focal points and ask yourself whether they
add to or take away from the image. Secondary focal points can add depth
to shots, but they can also be very distracting. You might need to reposition
yourself or adjust your focal length and/or depth of field to accommodate
or remove them from your shots. Also, if you still think your shot has
more than one focal point, it might be worth taking two shots; one of
each focal point to keep things simple.
Tip 4: Double
Check the Background and Foreground
One of the most common
places for distractions in digital photography is the background of your
shots. Run your eyes over the space behind your subject to see what else
is in the image (do the same for the foreground). Consider whether you
want the background in focus or for it to be nice and blurry.
Tip 5: Cozy
Up to Your Subject
Another common mistake
in digital photography is taking shots where your subject is too small
in the frame. Shots that fill the frame with your subject tend to be much
more dynamic and it shows a lot more detail of your subject. To get this
effect, you have the option of moving yourself closer, moving your subject
closer or using a longer focal length to give the effect of closeness.
Tip 6: Verify
the Light Source
Always give consideration
to how your subject is lit. Without light, you’ll lose detail and
clarity in your image and your camera will have to compensate by doing
things like increasing the ISO and lengthening shutter speeds. All of
that could lead to noisy and blurred images, which you do not want. Ask
yourself questions like, "What is the main source of light, where
is it coming from, is there enough light, do you need artificial light
sources (flash, etc.), do you need to stabilize your camera on a tripod
to stop the camera from shaking, due to low light?" And so on.
Tip 7: Get
Your Framing Right
It’s amazing
how many otherwise good photos are spoiled by framing that is slightly
offline. Sloping horizons and slightly leaning people or buildings should
always be in the back of your mind to check. Also, check if you are holding
the camera correctly. Many people don’t and as a result, suffer
from camera shake and framing mistakes.
Tip 8: Look for Unusual Angles
Put 10 digital camera
owners in front of a scene and most of them will take exactly the same
shot from the same position. Make your images stand out from the crowd
by challenging yourself to not only take the standard shots that everyone
else does, but to find creative and fresh angles and perspectives to shoot
from.
Tip 9: Try Out Different Camera Postures
Many photographers
get into the habit of always holding their camera the same way (either
horizontally/landscape or vertically/portrait). While it’s okay
to have a preference one way or the other, it’s also worth remembering
that changing the format can drastically change the impact of your shots.
Don’t forget, you can also hold your camera at an angle for a more
effective result.
Tip 10: And Finally...
Of course, you probably
won’t remember all these tips and you’re unlikely to go through
each of them with every shot you take, but the next time you head out
with your digital camera, concentrate on using at least one or two of
them as you take your shots. As you do, you’ll find that they become
more automatic and in time, you’ll naturally take shots that account
for all of these tips.
Happy shooting!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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