Torus34
No longer a newbie, moving up!
- Joined
- Jan 26, 2006
- Messages
- 2,117
- Reaction score
- 37
- Location
- Tottenville, Staten Island, NYC USA
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
'. . .subject matter and how to shoot it.'
The last few posts pointed out ways to sharpen your photographer's 'eye.' Let me add a bit.
One problem we sometimes face is that we are too familiar with our surroundings. It's always easier to take interesting pictures in a new locale. But there are pictures all around us all the time. Learning how to see these is an important part of becoming a better photographer.
Sometimes playing a little game with yourself can help you to see things in a different light. Take the town you live in (or near.) Now pretend a magazine has given you the assignment of taking eight shots of the town for a two-page spread in an up-coming issue. You have to complete the shots by the end of the week.
Or eight shots of 'life' on the main street of your town.
Or eight shots of the buildings and architecture of your town.
Any of these 'projects' should result in you looking at the work of the 'pros' in a new way. You'll absorb something of their approach to composition and lighting along the way. You'll look at your town differently, too. And you'll probably take better pictures of it.
On photographing people: think of someone you know well. What if you had to describe that person to someone who didn't know him/her? What's the most important thing about that person's personality/character? Now how can you show that in a picture? A good portrait doesn't have to be the traditional 'head-and-shoulders' pose.
Finally, think of an artist working in oils or watercolors. He starts with a blank canvas and adds to it. He adds until he has added just enough and then stops.
A photographer starts with the entire universe. He subtracts from it. He continues to subtract until what is left is just enough.
Both end up with a composition. They just have different starting points.
The last few posts pointed out ways to sharpen your photographer's 'eye.' Let me add a bit.
One problem we sometimes face is that we are too familiar with our surroundings. It's always easier to take interesting pictures in a new locale. But there are pictures all around us all the time. Learning how to see these is an important part of becoming a better photographer.
Sometimes playing a little game with yourself can help you to see things in a different light. Take the town you live in (or near.) Now pretend a magazine has given you the assignment of taking eight shots of the town for a two-page spread in an up-coming issue. You have to complete the shots by the end of the week.
Or eight shots of 'life' on the main street of your town.
Or eight shots of the buildings and architecture of your town.
Any of these 'projects' should result in you looking at the work of the 'pros' in a new way. You'll absorb something of their approach to composition and lighting along the way. You'll look at your town differently, too. And you'll probably take better pictures of it.
On photographing people: think of someone you know well. What if you had to describe that person to someone who didn't know him/her? What's the most important thing about that person's personality/character? Now how can you show that in a picture? A good portrait doesn't have to be the traditional 'head-and-shoulders' pose.
Finally, think of an artist working in oils or watercolors. He starts with a blank canvas and adds to it. He adds until he has added just enough and then stops.
A photographer starts with the entire universe. He subtracts from it. He continues to subtract until what is left is just enough.
Both end up with a composition. They just have different starting points.