Category - Media
Topic - Photography
Issue - Factors to consider when taking photos
Tiptoid -
For Christmas I got a new digital camera and I started taking pictures of everything around my house. My dad came to look at my pictures and commented that the pictures I took were not very clear, and the camera angles I used didn't do much for my subject matter. He said this in a positive and encouraging way, so I took his words to heart. Then he demonstrated a few picture-taking techniques, and gave me some advice on how to enhance the perspectives of my photo subjects.
The first thing he said was to adjust the light on the camera to the amount of light on the scene. This meant that if the photo is too bright, and there is a lot of light on the scene, do not use the flash. If it is dark, or there is poor lighting, turn on the flash. Those are ways to improve the lighting and visibility of the photograph.
To enhance the perspective of the shot, I needed to think first about the perspective of the subjects of my photos. Then I needed to think about my perspective as the photographer. Both perspectives had to mesh. This approach takes insightful thinking, precise planning, and that oh-so-important creative touch.
Here are examples of a not-so-good picture and a good picture.
This picture is bad because there is too much going on in the photo that is not required for the shot. The main object of the picture is the duck, but too many things are taking away from the main focus point.
This picture is good because the lighting is clear. The main object is in focus and appropriately centered. There is not much going on in the background to distract from the duck.
Continue to make picture taking fun, but do work on those technical and creative photography skills. I know I am, and you'll be happier with your pictures if you do, too!
Glossary -
Insight - an understanding of relationships that sheds light on or helps solve a problem
Perspective - a point of view or general standpoint from which things are viewed
Angles - the place, position, or direction from which an object is presented to view
Visibility - the relative ability to be seen under given conditions of distance, light, atmosphere
Find Out More -
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pathtoadventure/phototips/
http://www.electricteacher.com/diversity/photography.htm
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Submitted by - Lauren Porter and Kasey Tan
Site Managers - Chris Ricci and Yelser Deleon
April 2007