Photography 'Tips'

Great photographs do not need to be technical in nature but having some technical ideas about photography will the best ability and chance get that  great photograph. 

Take a quick look at the two photographs below.

Photo on the left is the iconic National Geographic "Afghan Girl" taken by Steve McCurry. When you see National Geographic magazine bright, clean, clear, colorful images flood the pages. Technical photography is what they do! 

The photograph to the right is of Paul Simonon of "The Clash" photograph by Pennie Smith. This grainy black and white captured the cover of London Calling and is an iconic image of Rock and roll. Both these images are great photography but the pieces which create them are worlds apart.

What are some of the pieces?

Light

All four of these photographs are taken in the same room with the same light. Photo one (top left) is dark because the camera measured the light from outside. Number two the picture the camera as measure the light from inside the room. The third picture the camera used a flash to light the subject and measured the light outside. Fourth (bottom right) image the camera was moved to the right of the subject and the camera measured the light coming from the window. Can you see how the light in the "Afghan Girl" and picture number four light is coming on the subject? It only takes a few steps to the right to change a photo completely. 

Angle and Depth

Seeing into a photograph can will show us more about the subject. What is in the background places are subject into a scene. Here is our subject standing in an apartment complex. The left photo does not show us that fact. The Right does a little better job. Couple paces to the right and we are shown a background which places the subject in a recognizable location.

Thirds

Placing you subject in the middle of your photograph is sometimes boring to look at. An easy solution is to focus on your subject and then re-compose your photo to the right or left (thinking of you background). Take a look at the girl image above. Where is her eyes in the frame of the photograph? The guitar player where is he in the photograph? Are they placed in thirds?

Distractions

What is the story about in the photograph below?

Could it be that the farm market is finishing up their pumpkin season? Or Is the farmer's house burn to the ground? Who knows? We sure do not. What would have made this picture tell a better story? In both cases moving to where only one building is shown in the photograph. Other distractions could be less obvious like a flag pole growing out of someones head. This is where shooting more than one angle could save you later. If you've got more than one shot you can choose the best one for your story.