Search Results for: blog creative composition

A Few Notes on Composition

I have a guilty pleasure: I like to find bad photography and chuckle at it. Is that terrible? (One of my favorite sites to do this is AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com) Usually, what makes these photos so hilarious is their poor composition. A photo is only a slice of reality; therefore how you frame your subject can either portray reality, improve it, or create a silly or awkward illusion. Silly props and goofy outfits aside, here are a few tips for composing your pictures: 1. Avoid limb chops. Try not to “cut off” fingertips, elbows and toes. Acceptable places to crop include the … Continue reading →

Creative Composition

Remember the “Family Tree” photo my pal took of her entire clan perched on various branches in an actual tree? I still can’t get it out of my mind. Each time I pass the photo (which now adorns my refrigerator) I have to smile. While I marvel at the creative composition of the photo I also have to chuckle because I know there would be no way I could convince my own family members to pose for a similar shot. (I have visions of my 5’1” 98-pound mother being hoisted on to an upper branch by my 5’11” brother and … Continue reading →

The Freedom That Comes with Digital Photography

Does anyone still use a traditional film camera these days? I’m sure some professional shooters and a few die-hards cling tightly to their trusty picture-taking tools, but for the most part, the industry has gone digital and most of us have followed without complaint. Personally, I don’t have a single complaint, especially since I was never fond of toting around dozens of rolls of extra film for my bulky point-and-shoot that never quite fit into my pocket or purse. I also dreaded waiting days to find out if the photos I snapped were worth saving. According to a new study, … Continue reading →

Poetry for Kids

Roses are red Some orchids are green I love you so much Except when you’re mean I wrote that little ditty when I was in the fourth grade. I’m a poet, and ya didn’t even know it! Unfortunately, poetry is not fully embraced by the American school system. Consequently, many youngsters these days don’t get the chance to fully appreciate the many benefits of metrical composition. According to top researchers for early childhood education, “poetry should be included as an integral part of the language and literacy curriculum because it enriches students’ lives as they discover words, sound, and rhythm … Continue reading →

Spring Break Through Your Camera’s Lens

After the 19.8 inches of new snow that fell on our city yesterday I’m not surprised that there is a mass exodus going on right now. Who wants to spend spring break digging out from nearly two feet of wet, heavy, sloppy snow? Many of our friends are heading to sunny destinations this weekend. Two families are driving to Florida where they plan to scuba dive and swim with dolphins. I begged them to take photos of their underwater adventures. They laughed and said they’d pay for the resort’s staff to snap their pics. Not for nothing, but it doesn’t … Continue reading →

Getting Freelance Work

Decent paying freelance work is a challenge to find these days, but it’s even harder when your work is not top notch. In order to earn a profit from your passion you need to have mastered the basics of photography including: composition, exposure, lighting and focus. In addition, it helps if you are proficient in photo editing and printing. If you are just starting out, it’s a good idea to secure internships with established photographers. If you went to school for photography, then finding real world applications for the lessons you learned in the classroom is a must. What’s more, … Continue reading →

Have You Ever Scraplifted?

Scraplifting. Are you familiar with the term? I had never seen or heard the word until last week when I visited a scrapbooking store in Hawaii. Apparently, the term refers to the act of copying design ideas from other scrapbooks. Scraplifting may include anything from copying the same title for a page to using the same photo composition ideas. You can also be accused of scraplifting if you place your embellishments in the same exact spots as a sample layout, or if you adapt a similar journaling technique and use it to enhance your theme page. And here I thought … Continue reading →

How to Make a Unique Photo Collage

I love making photo collages. Recently I have started creating a different kind of collage: one that looks like a single photo. It is a really neat effect that requires a little preparation, a lot of patience and some Photoshop skills, but it is worth it. I am going to use a photo I took for a recent engagement session to show you the end result. The first thing I do is find my location for the picture. I look for a spot that has visual interest and plenty of areas to pose my subjects. The next step is to … Continue reading →

Interesting Copywork

Copywork is a necessary component to the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling. It may not always be a hit with the students, but it teaches more than penmanship. Although penmanship is sometimes improved by copywork, a student will develop skills to enhance narration, composition and writing. So, can we squeeze any more learning out of copywork? I have managed to use copywork time for bible memorization, math rules, language rules, and language lessons. I find the beautiful thing about using a Charlotte Mason approach is that you can tailor it to fit your family. Charlotte Mason is an applied method … Continue reading →

Understanding Charlotte Mason Vocabulary C-E

In previous posts, I and other homeschool bloggers here at families.com have discussed our experiences with charlotte mason curriculum. In my last post, I supplied Charlotte Mason Vocabulary for the letters A & B. This article will cover the letters C-E. Copywork: Copywork is the tool used to help students learn. It teaches children excellent penmanship from an early age. It helps them to learn and memorize facts. It also helps to improve spelling and vocabulary. Copywork begins as early as six years old and as the student ages leads to written Narration, Composition, and Creative Writing. Curriculum: Charlotte Mason … Continue reading →