How to take better photos

1
How to take better photos

• Basic rules of design

2
Rule of thirds

• Placing your subject off-center creates an
  interesting, dynamic image. Imagine your
  photograph divided into three horizontal and
  vertical sections. To compose a well-balanced,
  off-center shot, place your subject near the
  intersections of the imaginary grid lines. This
  is called the rule of thirds.

3
Rule of thirds

• Divide the image into three sections

4
Rule of thirds

• Use the rule of thirds to createdynamic portraits

5
Rule of thirds

• Emphasize a dramatic sky by placingthe horizon
  along the lower grid line

6
Rule of thirds

• With a moving subject, use the rule of thirds to
  leave space for the subject to travel into

7
Rule of thirds

• Busy shots feel more orderly when you apply the
  rule of thirds.

8
Get Close

• Your subject is interesting, so get close to it.
  Don't let your pictures suffer from the "Grandma
  at the Grand Canyon" syndrome, with a tiny
  subject and lots of boring, irrelevant space.

9
Try Unusual Angles

• Be bold! Try turning your camera to 45 degrees
  before snapping a picture. Or instead of snapping
  it from eye level, kneel down or lie on the
  ground to get a more interesting shot.

10
Frame Your Subject

• Try framing your picture with foreground objects
  to add depth to the image.

11
Pay Attention to Lines

• Curves, straight lines, and diagonals add energy
  and movement to your compositions. Let roads and
  rivers draw the viewer into the image or lead the
  viewer's eye in a specific direction. Watch for
  natural geometric patterns and place yourself at
  an interesting angle to them.

12
Pay Attention to Lines

• Let roads and rivers lead the viewer into the
  picture

13
Pay Attention to Lines

• Look for patterns of lines

14
Pay Attention to Lines

• Diagonals are dynamic, and curves are sensual

15
Pay Attention to Lines

• Don't let lines unintentionally throw your photo
  off balance. When you shoot the horizon or a
  building, keep the straight lines levelunless
  you're shooting at a dramatic, intentional angle.

16
Avoid Mergers
17
Avoid Mergers

• As you position yourself to avoid a cluttered
  background, also look out for trees, lamp posts,
  and other background objects which might merge
  with your subject in unfortunate ways.

18
Look for Interesting Reflections and Shadows

• Shadows and reflections add depth and artistry

19
Avoid Busy Backgrounds
Busy
Better
20
Be a picture director

• A picture director takes charge. A picture
  director picks the location "Everybody go
  outside to the backyard." A picture director adds
  props "Girls, put on your pink sunglasses." A
  picture director arranges people "Now move in
  close, and lean toward the camera

Boring
Better
21
Look your subject in the eye

• Direct eye contact can be as engaging in a
  picture as it is in real life. When taking a
  picture of someone, hold the camera at the
  person's eye level to unleash the power of those
  magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles

Too high
Better angle
22
References

• http//www.fotofinish.com/resources/centers/photo/
  takingpictures.htm
• http//www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-pa
  th38/39pq-localeen_US

23
Most important

• Take lots and lots of photos!
• Digital photos are cheap!
• Use the burst mode to get great shots of
  sports, kids, people!
• Experiment!

24
Review of tips

• Rule of thirds
• Place object off center
• Place horizon off center
• Leave lead room for moving objects
• Help with busy shots

25
Review of tips

• Get close
• Try unusual angles
• Frame your subject
• Pay attention to lines
• Avoid mergers
• Look for reflections and shadows

26
Review of tips

• Avoid busy backgrounds
• Be a picture director
• Look your subject in the eye

27
Your Turn

• Help me update this powerpoint with our own
  photos.
• You will be assigned tip and with a partner, you
  will get photos that demonstrate a good and a bad
  version of the tip.