Archive for Basic Photo Tips
How to Take Better Pictures-Part 6
Posted by: | CommentsExpressions
The most endearing part of any photograph of people is the expression. All other elements may fail, and we still love the photograph because of the expression.
Getting a great expression is often the hardest part of taking portraits. There are so many factors that come into play. This skill takes time to develop and find out what works and what does not.
You could try talking about something funny or sing silly songs. Saying “cheese” is not recommended. You know what you’ll get? A big, fake, toothy, goofy face.
Putting so much pressure on a child to perform can really get in the way of getting real expressions.
This is part six of an eight part series from an article called “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary” that I wrote for www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com a division of Gordon Photography & Gallery dedicated to mentoring other professional photographers who wish to learn more about the business of photography.
How to Take Better Pictures Part 4
Posted by: | CommentsChoose the Right Focal Length
The focal length of the lens you select and the aperture you shoot at also affects the look of your photograph.
For you techies, I realize that the size of the digital sensor can change the true results of our lenses. I explain focal length multiplier in my article “Getting Familiar with the Settings on your Camera for Better Image Control.” But for now, let’s keep it simple.
A standard 50mm lens that comes with most cameras sees like your eye does. It sees a similar field of view of about 50-55 degrees. It is the most natural look because it is like our eyes, but I find it so boring that I do not own a prime lens like this.
A wider angle lens, less than 50 mm, is going to see a wider view that your own eye can normally see. This is helpful when you want to record scenery. This makes for a great vacation lens. Do be careful when using it for portrait work as you may get distortion. When working at a wide open f-stop you will need to be more careful on how you focus.
A telephoto lens, over 50mm, is going to have a tighter view and magnify the subject. I think portraits look better this way. The larger the number, the more magnification it has.
A macro lens is for getting close-ups of small items like flowers, insects, or other details. Use a tripod for best results and eliminate the blur that easily occurs from being at such close range.
In this example of Lightning the cat, you can see the difference of three different focal lengths.
The same lenses are used in the garden example. You may also notice that the background is softer, not as in focus, with the 105mm lens as the 28mm lens.
The aperture you select will also determine the look of your photograph. A large f stop number like f16 will have a greater depth of field than a small f stop number like f4.
The shutter speed you use also plays a part in the final look of the image. A faster shutter speed will stop motion and a slower shutter speed can show some blur.
This is part four of an eight part series from an article called “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary” that I wrote for www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com a division of Gordon Photography & Gallery dedicated to mentoring other professional photographers who wish to learn more about the business of photography.
How to Take Better Pictures-Part 3
Posted by: | CommentsCropping for Interest
Go ahead and cut through the top of a head or hat on someone’s head on purpose. Look at the magazines, even scenes on television; they do it all of the time. It adds drama to an image. It draws you to their eyes. Yes, grandma will exclaim, “You cut her head off!” It is an artistic decision. They can learn to deal with it.
Not all images are improved by cropping. Sometimes a client will ask me “How will you crop that?” I prefer to crop in the camera and get the shot I am visualizing at the moment. So what I show them is what it will look like. As mentioned in tip number one, over cropping after the image is taken degrades the image quality by only using a small part of the original file.
Be aware that even if a person likes a photographic style and comments on how much they like it, they may still not be comfortable with it on their own images. That happens quite a bit. Educating your subject will make it more acceptable to them, and maybe in time they will trust you to do something creative.
Go ahead and include some images that have dramatic cropping. It adds to the variety of choices. The subject may not select them, and that’s okay. Put one on your wall as a display and enjoy the compliments.
This is part three of an eight part series from an article called “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary” that I wrote for www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com a division of Gordon Photography & Gallery dedicated to mentoring other professional photographers who wish to learn more about the business of photography.
How to Take Better Pictures-Part Two
Posted by: | Comments#2 Look Behind Your Subject
Many times we notice after the fact that we have a tree trunk, pole, or some other line intersecting the head of our subject. Take a moment to look past your subject and see what may become a distraction. You may have to move around a bit to find a more pleasing angle.
If timing is critical, grab your shot regardless of the background first. Then with the luxury of time back on your side, reposition yourself to eliminate those unwanted lines. With children and pets, you may not get another chance to get exactly what you want so get the image now.
With this photo of George, I think it is pretty obvious that the pole is distracting. It just so happens that this was my favorite picture of George that I captured during the entire time I was dog sitting him. That expression and angle just did not happen again, so I am glad I took this anyway. Now if I had just had a reflector to fill those dark eyes in! But that is another class.
The excuse of “I’ll just fix that later in Photoshop” is for amateurs and reflects sloppy work. Fixing files also takes time and time is money. Photoshop is a great tool to assist you with challenges in images, but it is not an excuse not to do things right in the first place.
This is part one of an eight part series from an article called “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary” that I wrote for www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com a division of Gordon Photography & Gallery dedicated to mentoring other professional photographers who wish to learn more about the business of photography.
How to Take Better Pictures-Part one
Posted by: | CommentsGet Closer-Get Lower-Get Higher
Most people I observe stand too far away from the subject they are photographing. I am sure that is because they do not want to call attention to themselves; they want to snap a fast picture and not be noticed or be in the way. But I say, “Get closer to your subject!”
Taking a moment to get closer and not have so much distracting background improves an image greatly. Cropping in post production later is okay to a point, but I am for doing it right the first time in the camera. Over cropping degrades the image quality by only using a small part of the file.
Speaking of getting right in there, I was in Las Vegas and found a crowd of people watching and taking pictures of three living statues. These beautiful girls were clothed and painted in one color and looked like real statues only they moved just a little bit just once in a while. Similar to the English guard, they will not even move to accept a tip or compliment. I carefully worked myself into the center of the crowd and took a photograph…well, okay, lots of photographs. After a few minutes I realized that the crowd had opened up for me, and I had all the elbow room I wanted.
Try not shooting everything at your standing level. Add interest to your images by getting lower and shoot at kid level. I squat, kneel, and lay on my stomach (all of which is getting harder at 40 something!). As shown in the example on the left, I often get on a ladder and shoot down on someone by two feet or more. Lay someone on the ground and shoot almost straight down on them. That is fun, too!
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This is part one of an eight part series from an article called “Everyday Images Made Extraordinary” that I wrote for www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com a division of Gordon Photography & Gallery dedicated to mentoring other professional photographers who wish to learn more about the business of photography.
Photo Tip #5
Posted by: | CommentsDisplaying art work and photographs
Scale is very important in any design. Many people select artwork that is too small for the area it is displayed in. A general and easy way to find a good proportion is to fill 50% or more of the space with the art. Lets say you have a six foot wide wall space. A piece of art or a grouping of pieces should fill at least three feet wide.
Hang your art at the proper height. A guide I like to use is to hang the art at the level it will generally be viewed at. If you spend the most time seated in the living room, the art should be at that eye level of view. In a foyer you will probably be standing so have it at standing level. If you are short or tall you may have to compromise!
Consider a grouping of images to tell the story. To make it interesting, but not busy, choose a theme. All black and white images or images taken at the same location that work together as one unit.
Continue a theme for the framing as well. Use the same finish, say all pewter, frames but in different profiles or shapes. Or use the same profile of frame but in different size mouldings on different size images.
Need help? Call us for all your framing needs. We can do a home consultation to evaluate your space and plan your next portrait session.
Barb Gordon, M.Photog.,CR, CPP, is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She has been locally honored by YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement 2001 and Advanced Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. Barb owns Gordon Photography & Gallery in Marion, Iowa specializing in customized portrait art. Learn more at www.GordonPhotography.Biz
Photo Tip #4
Posted by: | CommentsSpray your cloth- not directly on the glass of hanging photographs or art pieces. The cleaner may run to the bottom, seep in between the glass and the frame and make its way to the mat board and artwork. If possible, take the artwork down and clean it on a level surface.
When choosing a glass cleaner, select a type without ammonia in it. Ammonia is damaging to print material, even after it is dry. The type we use is also soap-free, static-free and non-streaking by TruVue.
I also like to use Scott Rags, a multipurpose paper towel that is lint free. These are found in the paint department of Menard’s.
This type of cleaner evaporates a little differently, you must keep moving and flip your paper towel to a fresh spot to avoid hazy streaks. Look at the glass from different angles, you will be able to see if it is clear. If not, do it again.
(Be very careful with plexi-glass. Regular papertowels will scratch it.)
We custom mat and frame photographs, memorabilia and art work. Call for an appointment and let us assist you with your projects.
Barb Gordon, M.Photog. CR, CPP, is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She has been locally honored by YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement 2001 and Advanced Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. Barb owns Gordon Photography in Marion, Iowa specializing in customized portrait art. Learn more at http://www.gordonphotography.biz/
Photo Tip #3
Posted by: | CommentsDon’t use ink pens!
If you need to label your photos on the back, choose a pen that is acid free. You can find these at photo supply stores like Porters Camera and scrapbooking stores such as Michaels and Hobby Lobby. Creative Memories may still carry a blue soft pencil that is great and safe for writing, that one is my personal favorite.
A common everyday ink pen contains acid and, in time, will eat away your image. The pressure of writing on the back may also dent the photograph. Of course this comes after the smeary mess you get if it didn’t dry!
Barb Gordon, M.Photog.,CR, CPP, is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She has been locally honored by YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement 2001 and Advanced Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. Barb owns Gordon Photography & Gallery in Marion, Iowa specializing in customized portrait art. Learn more at www.GordonPhotography.Biz
Photo Tip #2
Posted by: | Comments
Place your subject off center for more interest. Move the main subject to the right or left third of the image for a more sophisticated composition. If it is a person, this gives the subject “room to move or look” in the photograph. If the subject is facing more to the left of the image, give them more room on the left to give them room to look into the space by photographing them off to the right third of the image.
Then remember Photo Tip #1- Get in close!
Barb Gordon, M.Photog., CR, CPP, is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She has been locally honored by YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement 2001 and Advanced Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. Barb owns Gordon Photography & Gallery in Marion, Iowa specializing in customized portrait art. Learn more at www.GordonPhotography.Biz
Photo Tip #1
Posted by: | Comments
Get Closer!