On Taking Pictures
I love taking pictures.
Easily have I have several thousands of pictures on Facebook and
Instagram. Some of my favorite trips in
the last few years have filled up Facebook: Brazil, Nicaragua, California,
Lithuania, Barcelona, Germany, and Bolivia.
Plus, there are plenty of my beloved Dallas and zoos all over Texas.
I am not a picture expert; but I do love to take
pictures. The last few years I have
learned some things about photography from my friend, Denise, and by studying
photography on Instagram. By the way,
Instagram was created for photographers to share their photos, not teens to share
selfies.
So here are some things I have learned or figured out on my
own.
One - Don’t focus on a central object. Always making the focus of the picture in the
center of the frame looks boring. Try it
to the side and see what happens. I read
once about dividing the frame into 3 equal parts and putting the subject on one
of the two sides makes it more interesting.
If the subject is facing left, put the subject on the right side. Of course there are times that putting the
subject in the center is just fine.
Two - Move around until you get the picture right. There is a tendency of many to snap a picture
and run. Instead look for a place where
it looks good. That might mean crossing
the street, or standing directly under the subject.
Three - Don’t worry about other people. In the past, I used to be worried about what
people think of me taking a picture. Now
I think, “Who cares?” Am I going to see
these people again? Probably not. Am I going to have this awesome picture again
in the future? Maybe not. So forget about the woman looking at you like
you are crazy and get that awesome picture.
Four - Framing the picture is good.
I love big beautiful skyscrapers, but to be honest, pictures of them can
be boring. So why not look for a way to
frame the picture with trees or something else?
It makes it more interesting.
Five - Sometimes you have to get very close. I have taken a lot of pictures of paintings
in museums. I learned that standing back
and getting the picture with the frame and wall is boring. Get closer!
You can see the amazing painting that hangs on the wall of that museum.
Six - Be willing to take a picture anywhere you might be. You never know the amazing photograph you
might have at any moment.
Seven - The last is take a look around. Even look at reflections in other
buildings. You might see the perfect
picture.
I don’t have a camera at the moment, only a really good
phone. Maybe I can get a good camera for
myself at Christmas.
My advice for you is to get out of your house and take a picture. Well you can stay in your house and take a
picture, I guess, but just go take a picture.
No comments:
Post a Comment