From the Seattle Times......
SHOOT STEADY. A lack of sharpness due to camera shake or blur is a common mistake, says Schaub. "Avoid holding the camera out. It's probably the least steady posture for taking a picture."
LEARN TO LOOK AT LIGHT. Daylight is best during the first and last hours, says Holmes. "Get up early and stay out late. There's no secret to great landscapes, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Make sure you know what time that is."
ANTICIPATE THE SHOT. With point-and-shoot cameras, it's easy to miss the picture because of shutter lag, the "delay between when you think you're taking a picture and when the camera actually takes the picture," Schaub says. Engage the shutter halfway and allow the camera to focus, then press the rest of the way slightly early.
DON'T TURN THE SUBJECT INTO SCENERY. We've all taken the picture of a loved one — 30 feet away — standing in front of some monument or cathedral. What's the point if you can't make out the person's face? Fill a third of your frame (left side or right) with the person standing 3 to 5 feet away, then fill the remaining two-thirds with your scenery. Shoot from a lower angle if necessary.
GET CLOSER. Most photographs can be improved if the photographer moves closer to the subject.
OUTFLANK YOUR SUBJECT. Instead of shooting buildings head-on from the front, move to one side or the other (depending on the light) and shoot across the front. You get more of the building without a wider lens and the picture shows depth.
KEEP IT SIMPLE. "Don't get hung up on equipment," says Holmes. "Learning to see is the important part of photography, not the amount of equipment you have."
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF WHAT'S IN YOUR FRAME. You are responsible for everything that appears in the final photograph. Learn to see like the camera and you won't get nasty surprises.
LOOK CAREFULLY FOR GESTURES. When taking pictures of people, a simple hand gesture can make or break a shot. Be preoccupied with detail.
EXPLORE THE SCENE MODES. "Introduce yourself to image effects," says Schaub. "You should understand what those things do so you can translate it when you get a little more savvy."
SIT A SPELL. People make better subjects when they're comfortable, so spend a little time and get the shot when they relax.
LOOK TO THE SKIES. Stormy weather combined with dawn light is a winning combination for landscape, says Holmes.
SHOOT A LOT. Digital-camera memory is cheap, much cheaper than film ever was. Shoot intelligently, but don't be afraid to keep shooting until you have the shot you feel expresses what you want to say.
About preparation, back up your files as soon as possible, and carry spares of everything essential to shooting, including batteries, cables and even a spare camera. Probably the most important tip may be the easiest: Just have fun.
LEARN TO LOOK AT LIGHT. Daylight is best during the first and last hours, says Holmes. "Get up early and stay out late. There's no secret to great landscapes, you just have to be in the right place at the right time. Make sure you know what time that is."
ANTICIPATE THE SHOT. With point-and-shoot cameras, it's easy to miss the picture because of shutter lag, the "delay between when you think you're taking a picture and when the camera actually takes the picture," Schaub says. Engage the shutter halfway and allow the camera to focus, then press the rest of the way slightly early.
DON'T TURN THE SUBJECT INTO SCENERY. We've all taken the picture of a loved one — 30 feet away — standing in front of some monument or cathedral. What's the point if you can't make out the person's face? Fill a third of your frame (left side or right) with the person standing 3 to 5 feet away, then fill the remaining two-thirds with your scenery. Shoot from a lower angle if necessary.
GET CLOSER. Most photographs can be improved if the photographer moves closer to the subject.
OUTFLANK YOUR SUBJECT. Instead of shooting buildings head-on from the front, move to one side or the other (depending on the light) and shoot across the front. You get more of the building without a wider lens and the picture shows depth.
KEEP IT SIMPLE. "Don't get hung up on equipment," says Holmes. "Learning to see is the important part of photography, not the amount of equipment you have."
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF WHAT'S IN YOUR FRAME. You are responsible for everything that appears in the final photograph. Learn to see like the camera and you won't get nasty surprises.
LOOK CAREFULLY FOR GESTURES. When taking pictures of people, a simple hand gesture can make or break a shot. Be preoccupied with detail.
EXPLORE THE SCENE MODES. "Introduce yourself to image effects," says Schaub. "You should understand what those things do so you can translate it when you get a little more savvy."
SIT A SPELL. People make better subjects when they're comfortable, so spend a little time and get the shot when they relax.
LOOK TO THE SKIES. Stormy weather combined with dawn light is a winning combination for landscape, says Holmes.
SHOOT A LOT. Digital-camera memory is cheap, much cheaper than film ever was. Shoot intelligently, but don't be afraid to keep shooting until you have the shot you feel expresses what you want to say.
About preparation, back up your files as soon as possible, and carry spares of everything essential to shooting, including batteries, cables and even a spare camera. Probably the most important tip may be the easiest: Just have fun.
No comments:
Post a Comment