Repetition and Rhythm in Photography
November 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Usually, subjects are preferred to be in contrast with the background. This allows the subject to have well defined edges that make it stand out from the rest of the picture. But not all photos have to be the same. Sometimes it is good to have all the elements inside a composition in rhythm with each others. Using this technique will make the observer travel through the whole photo very smoothly.
Think of poetry or songs and the role rhymes play in both of them. Patterns must exist inside the photograph to allow smooth transitions between the objects . These patterns can be due to repetition in shapes, colors, or even positions of objects. This adds interest all around your photo making the observer look at it over and over.
Patterns are everywhere, and they can be created easily too. Rows of street light posts, trees in forests, leaves on trees, the possibilities are quite endless. A lot more patterns can be created out of similarities in colors, shapes, or even arrangement of any kind of objects. Look closer (literally) and you will find even more patterns. This is because many solid objects at very close range will show some sort of repeated textures on their surfaces.
While patterns are good compositional tools, they don’t always seem as good in simple compositions. So, breaking a pattern is sometimes desired too. This will create some degree of imperfection in the rhythm introducing tension to the image. Another usage of patterns is to fill the background, only to be broken by the subject in the foreground. In this case, rhythm throughout the photo is sacrificed for setting the focal point on the subject, while the background still gives some sort of uniformity to the picture.
Colors are also used for creating a sort of rhythm in photographs. Related color tones or harmonic colors can be employed instead of strong contrasting colors.All this grabs the different elements of the whole photo together.
Another type of pattern is that due to objects’ positions or arrangement. For instance, the position of an object can relate to the subject of the image, or that different objects may be arranged in a way that they form a pattern. Both situations create some sort of comfort to the observer’s eyes.
Creating rhythmic photos is not an easy job, because it requires a totally new approach to photography that most people are not used to. However, one thing is for sure that after understanding the process, you will begin to find more patterns around you.
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Lines and Shapes in Photography
September 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Photography isn’t just about including the desired subjects inside the frame. It is a process similar to painting in which you try to convey a message or strike an emotion. A strong composition is the product of a thoughtful study of the environment around you, its lines, shapes, and the patterns they form.
Lines can have a very nice impact on your composition making it more appealing. They can grab the attention of the eye into a certain direction, they can add depth to the photo, and they can form interesting patterns.
Lines can be found all around us. The horizon, beaches and fallen trees, all can add interesting horizontal lines to your photos which can add a sense of stability to the picture. While adding lines to you composition, you should not forget about the Rule of Thirds, and try keep the horizontal lines perpendicular to the edges of your photo. Remember that this type of lines is usually more convenient to horizontal photos .
Vertical lines are even more obvious to us. Think of buildings, upright trees and light posts, they usually reflect growth and strength and when used correctly, they can provide interesting patterns especially when the photograph contains other elements. To avoid misusing the vertical lines, make sure that they are perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the photo. These lines look best in portrait orientation.
Another type of lines is the diagonal lines. They can add depth to a photograph as well as creating points of interest inside your composition and if repeated, they can also produce nice patterns. They also give a feeling of dynamic action. A compositional convention is to avoid placing diagonal lines on the diagonal of the photograph as the photo will look split.
The lines’ types and orientations are related to the viewpoint used in the photograph. Just by changing your point of view, you can turn horizontal or vertical lines into interesting diagonal lines. Combining this with placing a subject at the convergence point will make an excellent composition.
While lines may add a certain mood to your photograph, shapes usually provide the meaning. The shape is the first thing that identifies an object and it is usually considered as its 2D outlines. Contrasting an object with a different background is usually the best way to put emphasis on its shape . A good example for this is silhouette photography where the subjects are dark while the environment is colorful.
Objects may look the same from some angles and that may result ambiguity. Because photographs have two dimensions only, choosing the right perspective is essential to present the object with the shape you want.
Lines and shapes are abundant around us; we just have to remember how to utilize them efficiently.
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The Famous Rule of Thirds in Photography
September 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
The most famous of the so called “rules of photography,” the Rule of Thirds is probably the first thing you will hear about when you begin the learning process. It is based upon the common belief that the eyes first look at the sides of a photograph, not at its center . That’s why, according to the rule, the subject should be placed along imaginary lines indicating the best spots within the photograph.
The reason why this rule is very well known is that it is pretty easy to apply. All you need is just to know how you should frame your subject.
Imagine that your photograph will be divided into three horizontal and three vertical parts. Two lines are used to divide the photograph into three horizontal sections, while two other perpendicular lines divide it into three vertical sections. Four intersection points will be formed at the meeting points between each nonparallel pair of lines . In general, the lines together with the intersection points should be used to align the main subjects of your photos so as to have one that complies with the Rule of Thirds.
Photographing at close range will yield a subject that is too big to be framed as a whole. Instead of aligning the subject itself, interesting parts within it are the ones that should be aligned. In case of facial portraits, for example, the face usually covers most, if not all, of the viewfinder leaving the facial features to be aligned. Eyes are usually placed along the top horizontal line. This will put emphasis on the eye, frame the whole face, and leave no details out of the picture.
The Rule of Thirds is commonly used in landscape photography as well. If the foreground contains any subjects, they should be placed in compliance with the rule (usually along vertical lines). As for the background, horizons are usually aligned to one of the horizontal lines. Some landscape photos may contain other elements in the background like clouds or mountains. These can also be aligned to the lines of thirds and, if possible, separated in different thirds, producing a well composed photograph.
Despite being important to the composition, some flexibility should exist when applying this rule. There are some instances where the perfect alignment should be sacrificed for a better overall composition, such as when some important details are missing just outside the frame. In other situations the rule is usually neglected, like when trying to balance reflection with the real subjects inside the frame. Here, the mirror line (the line separating the reflection from the real) is usually aligned at the middle.
The Rule of Thirds is an easy to learn, yet very effective technique. By using it, you will be able to produce photos that are very appealing to the eyes.
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What Makes a Good Photograph?
September 16th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Photography is your passion! You take fairly good pictures of your kids They’re not award winners by any stretch of the imagination, but they aren’t clunkers either.
You were hoping to get your photos to really pop. Maybe you’re really into scrapbooking and you wanted to take it to the next level.So, you set a goal, saved your money and wound up buying an expensive digital SLR and now you’re just disappointed.
Why do you think your pictures look exactly the same?Where did you go wrong?Everybody says that all you need to take great photos is a great camera, right?
We’ve all been here, at one time or another.You might not want to hear this, but it’s not the camera. A great camera can make it easier to take a great image, but only if the user knows what it takes to actually make a great image.
The truth is that a lot goes into making a great photograph. You have to consider composition, color balance, cropping, depth of field and probably the most important part of the equation……quality of light.
Who teaches quality of light? Are there good websites out there that will teach you how to set up lighting for portraits?
Do you find yourself overwhelmed at times?Maybe you’ve poured through tons and tons of photo books and we’re unable to find anything that effectively taught you about all these principles.
Many times these concepts can be presented in an overly complicated way, making it more confusing than when you started looking.
If you fall into this category of “discouraged kid photographer”, don’t give up. Stick with your beloved hobby.
The secrets to great photography aren’t rocket science. You just need to find a good source of information to help you apply those techniques.
Maybe you’re frustrated because you fear that the only way to take great shots is to invest tons of money into lighting, gadgets, backgrounds and other expensive photography supplies.
Consider for a moment just how much money you’re saving in film and processing costs by shooting with a digital camera.
WIth what you save on film costs alone in a few months, you can perhaps purchase an inexpensive portrait lighting setup.
The bottom line is that you’re hopefully into digital photography to have fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment.There’s nothing wrong with making some mistakes along the way while learning what it really takes to make a great photograph.
As you apply what you learn, you’ll be amazed at the quality of the images you create.By and by, your own unique photographic style and vision will begin to emerge.
Perhaps self discovery is the best part of the whole photographic process.
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Expand Your Knowledge of Digital Photography
September 4th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Use online tutorials as your self-study tool. There are various pieces of information you can find on the Internet. Type “digital photography” in search engines like Google and you’ll get hold of several pages of relevant and interesting results. The downside is that access to web content requires internet connection. Furthermore, because of the manner in which they are presented, free information can take time to study and offer you limited specific guidelines on how to shoot photos well in a myriad of circumstances. If your need is for updated reviews of digital cameras, a website is a great place to start.
Find information on digital photography from books. Numerous books contain helpful and detailed information on digital photography. Online, you can purchase some of the books that you wish to study. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s bound to be a book tailored to your level. Presently, the number of books that are written specifically for your camera is on the rise. Resources such as these allow you to familiarize yourself with the functions of your camera and give you a preview of digital photography. The downside though is that these books talk less about photography and more about the technical details of your camera. When you’re just starting out with digital photography, choose a book that can explain to you the fundamentals of the art such as lighting, composition and framing. Once you’re ready to explore the features and functions of your digital camera, you can get another book that provides just the kind of information you need.
Attend a digital photography class. Some local colleges offer courses on digital photography. If you’re really interested in digital photography, enroll in a special course or two. Of course, you have to assess if your schedule can accommodate taking special classes. It’s common for colleges to offer these courses during holiday breaks or in the evenings. There are some courses that are also taught every Saturday Eight to ten weeks is the typical length for these digital photography courses. The course basically orients you with the rudiments of digital photography. It also includes simple instructions on how you will use your digital camera. Also, you may be assigned to do a couple of hands-on activities in the course of your studies. Actual photo- taking assignments give you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom. These courses can come out to be surprisingly affordable. You’ll benefit from the experience of your mentors. Many of them will be actual practitioners who know the ins and outs of digital photography.
Utilize quality downloadable videos and guides. Reading an e-book and watching a video that demonstrates how you can take great photos is an effective and convenient approach to learning. A brief learning period and a high-quality output are two advantages you will enjoy when you choose e-books and videos as your learning resources. As proven, watching video demonstrations enables you to catch on the principles and skills most efficiently.
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A Few Must Have Digital Camera Accessories
September 4th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are certainly a few must have digital camera accessories that nearly everyone that owns a digital camera must think about buying in order to increase the performance of their digital cameras. Other than these must have digital camera accessories there are endless other accessories that you can also choose from which will help to further improve the functioning and performance of your digital camera.
Memory Cards
At the top of every list of essential digital camera accessories you will find the memory card to be an indispensible accessory that helps augment the storage capacity of your digital camera. In fact, most digital cameras do not have sufficient storage capacity to hold all the photographs you are going to shoot and so you have to buy digital camera accessories such as memory cards that will enable you to store hundreds of different high quality pictures at a single go.
Another kind of essential digital camera accessory, the battery and an accompanying battery charger are also essential to better performance from your digital camera. Most digital cameras come with batteries that can only give very limited amount of charge and recharging these batteries too will take far longer than is convenient. It is therefore a good idea to buy essential digital camera accessories such as extra batteries and a battery charger that will ensure that you have sufficient supply of fully charged batteries that will give you virtually non-stop power to keep shooting whenever you feel like clicking interesting pictures.
Camera cases too are critical digital camera accessories as they can help provide much needed protection for your expensive or valuable digital camera. Such cases should help you to carry not only your digital camera but also your batteries, memory cards, as well as card readers. This is an accessory that you can purchase along with your digital camera or you can purchase it separately and in addition, it also pays to consider buying a camera bag that will help reduce the likelihood of your camera being stolen.
Last but not least, you must also consider buying digital camera accessories such as a good camera lens that can help in drastically improving the capability of your digital camera. Other than this item, other digital camera accessories worth purchasing include attachable flashes and a tripod.
Batteries and other digital camera accessories are essential to getting more out of your digital camera. Saving money too is something that everyone needs and so it will certainly pay to find out more about how to buy cheap digital camera accessories. In this regard it certainly pays to check out wholesalers as well as clearance sales where chances of getting a good bargain price are the highest.
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