- When taking pictures you should picture the end result first. Is there any objects in the picture that you CAN move prior to shooting which will be less for you to fix in Photoshop later on like a toy, people, rock or branch? Think of where the lighting will be as well, that is a huge part of what makes your pictures turn out good.
- Make sure to use depth of field to your advantage. There are some shots that I took that would not have came out as well without me zooming in on the subject (ie. Bobcat picture on the right). Always keep this in mind. Depth of field can also be used to really make your subject pop out from the background (ie. the portrait I took of my best friend to the right).
- Never stand still when taking a photo. Make sure you look up, down, left, right, bend down, get to high ground, take a walk, etc. Look for photo angles when taking your pictures. Sometime you just need the certain angle to get the perfect photo!
- Use composition as I have mentioned before in a past post. It is very hard for me to think in terms of composition when I am out shooting but composition is almost a rule in photography if you think about it. So give it a try, can never hurt.
- TUR
N OFF THE FLASH!!! My boyfriend always says to me, "Jack, try turning off the flash. It looks better." Well I hated doing that because you need to have steady hands (which I don't) or a surface to use with your camera otherwise you will get "camera shake". After my teacher assigned us Natural Lighting as a topic to shoot I have found that turning off the flash does work nicely. Yes, it is still a pain to use it but I just make sure I have my tripod or find a way to make myself into a tripod by leaning against a wall or tree. Just make sure to check your exposure, too much exposure will "white out" your subject. When that happens, you will loose any "data" that was there. You could try editing the picture and make it darker in that area BUT it will not change and will remain washed out.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Photography tips
Here are some photography tips that I have picked up myself that have helped me and will certainly help anyone who is looking to change their style. So, here you go:
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Composition is key
Wow its really been forever since my last post, I apologize. Things have been crazy between working at a ski resort and school (I no longer have the job at Life Touch due to lack of hours). However, since work is now closed that opened up a lot of free time for me to blog a little more.
Today's topic is on composition. This will really help photographers but I am sure a scrapper could apply some of these techniques into their layout ideas.
What is composition you may ask. Well it is how one balances their picture. Remember a old post of mine where I talked about the rules of thirds, that is a composition technique. You should have a strong center of interest in your picture. An idea would be to use the surroundings (like trees, the sky and flowers for example) to help lead the viewer back to your main focal point.
Composition Techniques-
Asymmetrical- informal balance. This is where your picture would have different weights and sizes but it would still flow nicely.
Back Lighting- creating a silhouette like figure. Make sure you have a defined, unique, clear image for your subject. The background should have a nice color too it and should not be busy. Try not to have the sun in the picture. There should be only one light source. To take this type of picture, make sure the lighting is behind your subject (hence back lighting) and your flash is turned off. Focus your cross hares on the background and hold the shutter button half way. Without lifting your finger, move the camera so that the cross hares are on the subject now and press the shutter button all the way down to take the picture. *NOTE: You may want to use a tripod for this shot*
Close up/Fill the frame- getting up close to a subject. Use micro on your camera for any small object you want to get close on. This type of set up would work well with bigger subjects as well. Just be careful when using your digital zoom that your picture doesn't start to get pixelated.
Framing- frame your subject. Again, get creative. Use a doorway, walls, fence, or even maybe a slide.
Front Lighting- basic shot. Front lighting is usually make by using the flash.This is just a type of shot that has the light directly on the front of the subject.
Leading Lines- leads the viewed to the focal point. Be creative with this one. Use stairs, a river, a table, or maybe railings on a bridge to show where your focal point is. It will make the picture much more interesting.
Level horizon- depending on the type of scene depends on what angle you want to shoot the horizon. Calm type shots, like at the beach, you would want a level horizon. Action type shots, like at a sporting event or when shooting an intense moment, you may want to shoot the level at a slant.
Rule of Thirds- naturally occurring in divisions of thirds in a scene. Avoid splitting the picture top to bottom or side to side in half when dividing it up.
Side Lighting- a flattering look to a portrait. Place your subject near a window or open light source. Make sure that there is only one source of light on the subject (natural light works the best). Set the subject up so that the light is only on one side of the subject. *NOTE: Turn your flash off for this picture!*
Symmetrical- formal balance. Another words, if you fold the picture in half it would be the same.
Today's topic is on composition. This will really help photographers but I am sure a scrapper could apply some of these techniques into their layout ideas.
What is composition you may ask. Well it is how one balances their picture. Remember a old post of mine where I talked about the rules of thirds, that is a composition technique. You should have a strong center of interest in your picture. An idea would be to use the surroundings (like trees, the sky and flowers for example) to help lead the viewer back to your main focal point.
Composition Techniques-
Asymmetrical- informal balance. This is where your picture would have different weights and sizes but it would still flow nicely.
Back Lighting- creating a silhouette like figure. Make sure you have a defined, unique, clear image for your subject. The background should have a nice color too it and should not be busy. Try not to have the sun in the picture. There should be only one light source. To take this type of picture, make sure the lighting is behind your subject (hence back lighting) and your flash is turned off. Focus your cross hares on the background and hold the shutter button half way. Without lifting your finger, move the camera so that the cross hares are on the subject now and press the shutter button all the way down to take the picture. *NOTE: You may want to use a tripod for this shot*
Close up/Fill the frame- getting up close to a subject. Use micro on your camera for any small object you want to get close on. This type of set up would work well with bigger subjects as well. Just be careful when using your digital zoom that your picture doesn't start to get pixelated.
Framing- frame your subject. Again, get creative. Use a doorway, walls, fence, or even maybe a slide.
Front Lighting- basic shot. Front lighting is usually make by using the flash.This is just a type of shot that has the light directly on the front of the subject.
Leading Lines- leads the viewed to the focal point. Be creative with this one. Use stairs, a river, a table, or maybe railings on a bridge to show where your focal point is. It will make the picture much more interesting.
Level horizon- depending on the type of scene depends on what angle you want to shoot the horizon. Calm type shots, like at the beach, you would want a level horizon. Action type shots, like at a sporting event or when shooting an intense moment, you may want to shoot the level at a slant.
Rule of Thirds- naturally occurring in divisions of thirds in a scene. Avoid splitting the picture top to bottom or side to side in half when dividing it up.
Side Lighting- a flattering look to a portrait. Place your subject near a window or open light source. Make sure that there is only one source of light on the subject (natural light works the best). Set the subject up so that the light is only on one side of the subject. *NOTE: Turn your flash off for this picture!*
Symmetrical- formal balance. Another words, if you fold the picture in half it would be the same.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
How to get started when you have "brain freeze"
So what to do if you have "brain freeze"? Can't think of a layout? Well theres a few things you can do...
1) Go through magazines/catalogs/sales papers for layout ideas. You'll know which ones will pop out at you. Maybe its the layout, color or even the picture...
2) Go through old layouts (when I say old I mean OLD) and ask yourself what you would've done to make it better. Maybe added an embellishment or moved the picture over, etc.
3) Visit your favorite scrapbooking site, blog, store, etc. I usually go to Acmoore because if you walk down the scrapbooking aisle (I believe at Michaels as well) they have examples up above the scrapping supplies on the wall. This is perfect because since you're there you can brainstorm using those ideas and pick up the supplies right there.
By logging onto your favorite website you can get tips and techniques that may zap some inspiration.
4) Go to your favorite bookstore. My boyfriend and I always have to stop at Barnes n Noble or Boarders before we head home from any trip, or even if we just so happen to be around one. As he heads towards the Computer Science section I head over to the Arts and Crafts section. Even though scrapbooking may have only one small bookcase of books to choose from, I always find something worth buying. The books are never that expensive (they usually range from $10-30) and always have great ideas and tips.
5) Yearbooks... Yeah I know what you're thinking.. how can a yearbook inspire a layout. Well dust it off because believe me, a yearbook is just an expensive digital scrapbook for your high school. I worked on the yearbook staff all throughout high school and became the sports editor my senior year. It was my high and also my escape when I didn't want to sit in a boring class. Each yearbook page consisted of a background, title, "journaling", captions, and pictures. So go through your yearbook and see if maybe there may just be a layout you can work with.
Hope this helps you jump start a page if you have "brain freeze". Until next time, keep scrappin!
1) Go through magazines/catalogs/sales papers for layout ideas. You'll know which ones will pop out at you. Maybe its the layout, color or even the picture...
2) Go through old layouts (when I say old I mean OLD) and ask yourself what you would've done to make it better. Maybe added an embellishment or moved the picture over, etc.
3) Visit your favorite scrapbooking site, blog, store, etc. I usually go to Acmoore because if you walk down the scrapbooking aisle (I believe at Michaels as well) they have examples up above the scrapping supplies on the wall. This is perfect because since you're there you can brainstorm using those ideas and pick up the supplies right there.
By logging onto your favorite website you can get tips and techniques that may zap some inspiration.
4) Go to your favorite bookstore. My boyfriend and I always have to stop at Barnes n Noble or Boarders before we head home from any trip, or even if we just so happen to be around one. As he heads towards the Computer Science section I head over to the Arts and Crafts section. Even though scrapbooking may have only one small bookcase of books to choose from, I always find something worth buying. The books are never that expensive (they usually range from $10-30) and always have great ideas and tips.
5) Yearbooks... Yeah I know what you're thinking.. how can a yearbook inspire a layout. Well dust it off because believe me, a yearbook is just an expensive digital scrapbook for your high school. I worked on the yearbook staff all throughout high school and became the sports editor my senior year. It was my high and also my escape when I didn't want to sit in a boring class. Each yearbook page consisted of a background, title, "journaling", captions, and pictures. So go through your yearbook and see if maybe there may just be a layout you can work with.
Hope this helps you jump start a page if you have "brain freeze". Until next time, keep scrappin!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Layout topics don't need to be just about people...
While looking through my old scrapbooks I noticed that I have plenty of pages about my family and friends. Since I met my boyfriend and since my cousin/godson was born I've been making plenty of pages about them as well. After awhile all my pages started to become repetitive. One day I was reading my favorite scrapbooking blog and the host talked about making pages about everyday objects, your hobby (including scrapbooking and photography), your favorite place to go to relax, your favorite meal, pets, etc. The options for your topics are endless. So try and take another look about the things that matter to you. You'll want to look back and see what you were interested in now. (I'll post a page when I get the chance... again.... sorry but I tend to procrastinate :) )
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Rule of thirds
Most of the places I have went to looking for photography tips have all agreed that one of the most basic but important rule is the "rule of thirds". The "rule of thirds" can apply to scrapping as well. Place the subject/focal point in one of the "thirds" of your picture or page (see the snowboarding picture on the right hand side of my blog). You can place your subject on the top, bottom, right, or left side of your picture.
At first I wasn't sure if I would like having empty space on one side of my photo but there are ways to make it look nice. For example, say you would like to take a picture of your child in the pumpkin patch this fall. Well you can place them all the way to which ever side you want. Set your camera to the portrait mode. Hold your shutter button down half way so you are focusing on your subject. Then slide your camera, still holding the button down half way, so your subject ends up in one of the "thirds". Then push the button all the way down to take the picture. You will notice the background, possibly the pumpkin patch, is a little blurry and your subject is still in focus.
As far as your scrapbooking page goes you can set up your page so that your picture, embellishment, title, or captions is in a third of the page. I plan on scanning in an example so that you can see what I mean as soon as I can.
So go ahead and try out the rule of thirds and see how your pictures look so much better.
At first I wasn't sure if I would like having empty space on one side of my photo but there are ways to make it look nice. For example, say you would like to take a picture of your child in the pumpkin patch this fall. Well you can place them all the way to which ever side you want. Set your camera to the portrait mode. Hold your shutter button down half way so you are focusing on your subject. Then slide your camera, still holding the button down half way, so your subject ends up in one of the "thirds". Then push the button all the way down to take the picture. You will notice the background, possibly the pumpkin patch, is a little blurry and your subject is still in focus.
As far as your scrapbooking page goes you can set up your page so that your picture, embellishment, title, or captions is in a third of the page. I plan on scanning in an example so that you can see what I mean as soon as I can.
So go ahead and try out the rule of thirds and see how your pictures look so much better.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Hello everyone!
Hello everyone!!! Thank you for visiting my blog :)
I won't post anything tonight because it is 12:30 am and I am exhausted (I just got back from vacation with my boyfriend for our 3 year anniversary). I figured that I should however post what my blog will be about.
I will mostly focus on scrapbooking and photography. I plan on posting some tips and techniques I have learned or discovered that might help anyone who wants to scrapbook or wants to become a better photographer.
To help you out I posted some websites I have come across that have really helped me out. I plan on posting more as I find them.
I will try and post everyday... try being the key word.
Feel free to comment or send me questions that you have and I will try and answer them... I check my email constantly. If I cannot answer it for you I will send you back a link or whatever that should be able to answer it for you. Please do not hesitate to email me.
Well I will try and actually post something tomorrow. Feel free to check out my web page to see my photographs until then!!
I won't post anything tonight because it is 12:30 am and I am exhausted (I just got back from vacation with my boyfriend for our 3 year anniversary). I figured that I should however post what my blog will be about.
I will mostly focus on scrapbooking and photography. I plan on posting some tips and techniques I have learned or discovered that might help anyone who wants to scrapbook or wants to become a better photographer.
To help you out I posted some websites I have come across that have really helped me out. I plan on posting more as I find them.
I will try and post everyday... try being the key word.
Feel free to comment or send me questions that you have and I will try and answer them... I check my email constantly. If I cannot answer it for you I will send you back a link or whatever that should be able to answer it for you. Please do not hesitate to email me.
Well I will try and actually post something tomorrow. Feel free to check out my web page to see my photographs until then!!
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