© Brenda Tharp.
In the beginning of the year, it’s common practice for people to set resolutions, right? We’re gonna lose that weight, read more, sweep out the bad habits and invite in the good ones, play with our kids more, make better pictures. So here’s a few ideas that will help you make better photographs, with the equipment you have right now. No need to buy more gear. What a treat!
© Brenda Tharp.
1. Look for the light.
Learn to see what light would be best for your subject. Sidelight? Backlight? Soft or diffused light? Strong, direct light? Each subject has qualities that would be best expressed by a certain type of light. If it’s stairs with shadows you want, you’ll need strong light. If you want the details of something macro, it’s usually diffused light. Side light makes texture stand out; backlight defines the shape of something. So walk around your subject, and study it, or go out looking for subjects that will work under the light you have right now.
2. Simplify, simplify.
If you have too much in your composition, the main point of the picture may be lost. Learn to eliminate or minimize everything that isn’t essential to the story you are trying to tell and the picture will be stronger. Less really IS more.
3. Give your pictures depth.
Use foreground and background relationships to define depth in your pictures. Whether it’s an intimate scene or large landscape, depth gives a picture more dimension, and therefore more impact.
4. Choose an interesting position.
Why stand at normal height to photograph most things? Get down, get under, get over it! Your images will be stronger when you find a position, and an angle of view, that emphasizes your subject and expresses your vision.
If you get out and practice with just these four simple ideas, you will make better pictures. So have a great week, and get out there and play.
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