So you have started taking images and put into place someprimary ideas you have learnt. What next? How do you take your photography to the following stage? Photography shouldn't be difficult. All it calls foris a bit of energy, dedication and time. Placethese three issues together with these six easy steps and you'll take your photography to the next level.
Now do not attempt to do these all at once. Try each separately and when you've mastered the step transfer on to the next one. Let's give it a try.
1. Learn to be a director
One easy question. Why do movies have directors? If actors are so competent and paid so much surely they know what to do. Wrong! If you are to take your pictures to the next level learn to direct your image. Tell your subjects where to stand and what to do. An excellent director will calm down the subjects and put them at ease. In a static scene position your objects or if you cannot move them, then adjust your viewpoint so that the item is placed where you want it to be. Take control of your composition.
2. Utilize the rule of thirds
The middle of an image just isn't the best place for your subject. Imagine a grid across your photo separating it into thirds. Two lines horizontally and two vertically. Where the lines intersect is the place you placeyour subject. Just like the tic tac toe or noughts and crosses grid we all played as kids. It will bring you photo to life and provides it balance. One further tip. Never place your horizon in the middle of the shot. At all times place it along one of the imaginary horizontal grid lines.
3. Go vertical
Have a look at your picture album. How many of your photos are horizontal or in a landscape format? Nearly all of them? That is how cameras are made and that's how we tend to shoot our pictures. Break out of this mould and shoot 50% of your pictures in a vertical format. A creation that lends itself to a horizontal imagecan make a stunning vertical shot. Be prepared to experiment with both formats on the identical scene.
4. Be prepared to experiment with angles
An image taken from one angle is often boring or single dimensional. Learn to shoot from totally different angles. Often we do not achieve this out of laziness. Changeyour viewpoint, lie on your back climb a ladder or get up on a chair. By photographing up or down at a subject your can vary your photograph dramatically and turn it into a classic shot. Don't be afraid to attempt novel and completely different angles even if it's embarrassing. A minute of embarrassment can lead to years of enjoyment when viewing the outstanding photographs you take.
5. Watch your edges
Remember of what is taking place on the edges of your picture when framing it. We are inclined to maintain our focus on the centre of a picture and only afterwards see the mess and non-essentials within the photo. Typically a chunk of rubbish, a hand or foot in the incorrect place spoils an image. When looking through your viewfinder look around the edges and ensure there are not any distractions.
6. Lead with lines
Think about a fence or a path leading to a cottage that follows a diagonal route across your shot. It leads the attention to that house or object. The eye is drawn to lines in a picture and the place that line leads to is where our eye finally ends up. So do not permit that point to finish outside the picture as this will frustrate the viewer. Even when there isn't a topic at the finish of the road, let it recede into the distance. Be sure though that point at which it disappears or reaches the subject is at one of your two thirds intersecting points talked about in step two of this article.
Photography is easy if you are prepared to take some time out and practise. If you are a learner, discover more material that may help you improve by reading books, doing programs and searching the internet. You will not be sorry when you see what you've learnt coming out in your great photos
Author Resource:-
Wayne Turner studied with the New York Institute of Photography and has been teaching photography for 25 years. CLICK HERE to learn digital photography with him by subscribing to his FREE 10 PART PHOTOGRAPHY E-COURSE, emailed daily to your INBOX - To dramatically improve your photography here is his latest ebook, 21 STEPS TO PERFECT PHOTOS - CLICK HERE
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