Photography Basics

BY CHRIS PUTMAN

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true that picture better be a doozie, and quality photography doesn’t usually come without some seasoned skill. Most rookie shutterbugs fall in love with their own pictures and brag how they captured the most stunning expression on their subject’s face, but they are blind to the fact there is a flagpole in the background that looks like it is protruding out of their subject’s head. Many novices think they have captured the best landscape photo with brilliantly colored field flowers with snowcapped mountains framing the shot, but they didn’t notice that there is an overflowing trash can in the foreground that could have easily been framed out if they had just slowed down and did a check of each element within the frame.

Yes, these greenhorns think their photos are stellar, but if their work is critiqued by a pro, usually there are distracting elements caught in the shot that could have been easily avoided.

Now, this article is written not with expensive equipment in mind. What the reader will learn is how to capture the image either by a camera or a phone camera. Photos can be breathtaking simply by their composition, not by the quality or exorbitant cost of the equipment used.

So, what are some tips that can help a beginner take photos like a pro? Here’s a checklist: 1. Use the rule of thirds. Beginning photographers innately want to put the subject of the photo in the center of the frame.

Anything in art such as painting, sketches or photography looks much more stimulating to the brain if the subject is placed on the third line.

What third line? Many cameras or phone cameras have a grid that can be selected so the third lines are in place when looking through the frame to take the shot. Place the subject at the intersection of the third line. No grid? No problem. Just mentally divide the viewfinder into thirds and place the subject as shown below. 2. Look around at the elements captured in the frame. Novices focus their attention on their subject but miss the element in the shot that will cause them regret after that special moment passes never to be captured again.

Look for overlooked distracting elements. In the example photo, the girl is framed correctly on the thirds line. A secondary element is also included, the pots of flowers, and even placed on the opposite third line, but because the photographer was mentally focusing on these rules, he/she didn’t notice the telephone pole that appears to be growing from the subject’s head.

Objects look more attractive if taken on an angle rather than standing square in front of them.

Take real estate, for instance. Most photographers know that if a photo is taken directly in front of a house or building, it will look flat. The building will look much more attractive, however, if the photographer simply walks around the corner of the building to catch two sides.

The building has dimension while appearing larger and more attractive. 3. Take photos of people using the same principles as with buildings. Capturing an angle provides a more flattering look.

When a subject looks directly into a camera, their face flattens out. That’s why people hate their driver’s license photo or work

I.D. pictures – the worst pose is captured – but a portrait photographer knows the tip of providing depth to their face.

Have the subject turn their head slightly. Perfect.

Rule of thirds. Centered tree - just OK. Tree on third lines – much better. Watch for distracting elements. Building looking flat .

Building shot on an angle.

Photo of flat face.

Photo of angled face. (continued on page 44)