Anyone up for a challenge?
30 days, 30 photos
This class is hosting a 30 day photo challenge for this month. It's pretty self explanatory, but basically for days 1-30 there is a certain photo you take for that particular day. You should post it for everyone to see them. I think that this challenge can be very inspiring. This is just a simple way to catalog each day in a different way.
Retouching photos is allowed. You can do it with Gimp, a program you´ll find in your computer. You can also do it online with http://www.picmonkey.com/
These are the rules you should follow:
1. You´ll find the list below with the 30 items you have to photograph.
2. You can photograph several items in one day if you are inspired.
3. You can use the integrated camera in your cell phone or netbook, or just a point and shoot digital camera.
4. Work alone or in pairs.
5. Add a comment to every picture that summarizes your feelings, ideas, opinions, emotions you had when taking the pictures.
6. Once you have your 30 photos, and you're satisfied with them, put them together using movie maker. The presentation will be uploaded in Youtube.
Elements of Composition in Photography
Taking picture is more than grabbing a camera and shooting. There are several things you have to take into account.
Good composition is a key element of good photographs yet is something that is hard to define.
Instead of looking at composition as a set of ‘rules’ to follow – I view it as a set of ingredients that can be taken and used to make a great ‘meal’ (photograph).
The key is to remember that in the same way as a chef rarely uses all the ingredients at their disposal in any dish – that a photographer rarely uses all of the ingredients of composition in the making of an image.
I’d like to look at some of the ingredients of composition.
Pattern
Image by actionlovr
There are patterns all around us if we only learn to see them. Emphasizing and highlighting these patterns can lead to striking shots – as can high lighting when patterns are broken.
Symmetry
Image by straightfinder
Depending upon the scene – symmetry can be something to go for – or to avoid completely.
A symmetrical shot with strong composition and a good point of interest can lead to a striking image – but without the strong point of interest it can be a little predictable. I prefer to experiment with both in the one shoot to see which works best.
Texture
Image by Grant McDonald
Images a two dimensional thing yet with the clever use of ‘texture’ they can come alive and become almost three dimensional.
Texture particularly comes into play when light hits objects at interesting angles.
Depth of Field
Image by orangeacid
The depth of field that you select when taking an image will drastically impact the composition of an image.
It can isolate a subject from its background and foreground (when using a shallow depth of field) or it can put the same subject in context by revealing it’s surrounds with a larger depth of field.
Note that depth is not possible with a compact digital camera.
Lines
Image by stevacek
Lines can be powerful elements in an image.
They have the power to draw the eye to key focal points in a shot and to impact the ‘feel’ of an image greatly.
These are just some of the elements of composition that I consider in my photography. They reflect my own style and personality but there are plenty more.
Rule of Thirds
Imagine that your image is divided into 9 equal segments by 2 vertical and 2 horizontal lines. The rule of thirds says that you should position the most important elements in your scene along these lines, or at the points where they intersect.
Doing so will add balance and interest to your photo.
Balancing Elements
Placing your main subject off-centre, as with the rule of thirds, creates a more interesting photo, but it can leave a void in the scene which can make it feel empty. You should balance the "weight" of your subject by including another object of lesser importance to fill the space.
Here, the visual "weight" of the road sign is balanced by the building on the other side of the shot. Image by Shannon Kokoska.
Viewpoint
Before photographing your subject, take time to think about where you will shoot it from. Our viewpoint has a massive impact on the composition of our photo, and as a result it can greatly affect the message that the shot conveys. Rather than just shooting from eye level, consider photographing from high above, down at ground level, from the side, from the back, from a long way away, from very close up, and so on.
The unusual viewpoint chosen here creates an intriguing and slightly abstract photo. Image byronsho.
Background
How many times have you taken what you thought would be a great shot, only to find that the final image lacks impact because the subject blends into a busy background? The human eye is excellent at distinguishing between different elements in a scene, whereas a camera has a tendency to flatten the foreground and background, and this can often ruin an otherwise great photo. Thankfully this problem is usually easy to overcome at the time of shooting - look around for a plain and unobtrusive background and compose your shot so that it doesn't distract or detract from the subject.
The plain background in this composition ensures nothing distracts from the subject. Image byPhilipp Naderer.
Framing
The world is full of objects which make perfect natural frames, such as trees, archways and holes. By placing these around the edge of the composition you help to isolate the main subject from the outside world. The result is a more focused image which draws your eye naturally to the main point of interest.
Here, the surrounding hills form a natural frame, and the piece of wood provides a focal point. Image by Sally Crossthwaite.
Cropping
Often a photo will lack impact because the main subject is so small it becomes lost among the clutter of its surroundings. By cropping tight around the subject you eliminate the background "noise", ensuring the subject gets the viewer's undivided attention.
Cut out all unnecessary details to keep keep the viewer's attention focused on the subject. Image by Hien Nguyen.
Experimentation
With the dawn of the digital age in photography we no longer have to worry about film processing costs or running out of shots. As a result, experimenting with our photos' composition has become a real possibility; we can fire off tons of shots and delete the unwanted ones later at absolutely no extra cost. Take advantage of this fact and experiment with your composition - you never know whether an idea will work until you try it.
Digital photography allows us to experiment with different compositions until we find the perfect one. Image by Jule Berlin.
Things I’ve Learned About Photography
Since I found photography some years ago I have learned different things which I would like to share with you.
1. Never do photography to become a rock-star.
2. Enjoy what you are shooting.
3. Prepare well for your shooting, realizing that your battery isn’t charge when you’re setting up for that sunrise shoot is too late!
4. Pay attention to your thoughts and emotions while you are shooting
5. Set goals you can achieve
6. Write tips about photography, because writing is also learning
7. Be pleased with the little prosperities
8. Watch the place you want to shoot first with your heart and brain then with the camera
9. Always stay calm
10.Perspective is the killer
11. Dedicate yourself to photography, but never browbeat yourself too much
12. Keep your camera clean
13. Never compare yourself to others in a better or worse context
14. Find your own style of photography
15.Try to compose more and to hit the shutter less
16.Seek out and learn to accept critique on your images
17. Do something different to recover creativity
18. Get inspiration from the work of other photographers
19. Criticize honestly but respectfully
20. Don’t copy other photographer’s style
21. Be bold
22. Take selfportraits
23. Every shooting situation is different than you expect
