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Photography Week in Review for October 15-20, 2007

From wedding shots to fun photo projects… and everything in between we’ve featured a great variety of blogs this week. If you’ve ever wondered what to do with those leftover photos or how to spice up a child’s birthday party then you’ve come to the right place. The Photography Week in Review is your one-stop shopping resource to get all the photo tips you missed over the past few days. October 15th—–Photo Lessons: The Rule of Thirds. The “Rule of Thirds was one of the first lessons I learned in my college photography class and one that I have continued … Continue reading →

Photography Potpourri: The “S” Curve and Photo Puzzles

THE “S” CURVE In a previous blog I discussed the importance of proper composition and the use of the “Rule of Thirds.” Another helpful composition tip is the use of the “S” curve. For example, S-shaped roads, waterways, even train tracks can help spice up otherwise boring shots. “S” curves give a photo much welcome “depth.” And they are easy to capture provided you are willing to move around a bit. Don’t hesitate to bend down or climb an embankment (preferably one that is sturdy) in order to frame the “S” shape just right. Another way to add depth to … Continue reading →

Photography Lessons: The Rule of Thirds

I’ve touched on the topic of composition in previous blogs, but I’ve never gone in depth about the “Rule of Thirds.” It was one of the first lessons I learned during my college photography class and one that I have continued to apply to improve my shots over the years. The act of composing a shot boils down to focusing your attention on the subject and its surroundings in the viewfinder. Basically, you want to pay attention to how you set up your shot before snapping your picture. If you are shooting with a digital camera you have the advantage … Continue reading →

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 →

What Do You Need to Get Started?

Every mom wants to take better pictures of her kids. Photography is one of those things that everyone can improve on because there is so much to learn and master, but there are a few key things that you can buy or do that will make a big difference. Buy a DSLR and a good lens. Point and shoot cameras are convenient and for some types of photography (like landscapes) they are all you need. A marker of a good portrait, however, is pulling the focus to the subject through the creative use of depth of field. In simple terms, … Continue reading →

More Fireworks Photo Tips

Location, location, location. It’s key in real estate and in photography. Before you take a single shot of the colorful mid-air explosions on New Year’s Eve, or any holiday when pyrotechnics are set off, it is very important to scout out the perfect location in which to document the festivities. I know avid photographers who set up camp 10 to 12 hours prior to dusk just so they can secure a prime piece of grass at our local fireworks show. Obviously, you want to find an area where trees, buildings, or tall wandering festivalgoers do not obstruct your view of … Continue reading →

Dealing with the Elements

I’m sure you are familiar with the expression, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.” The saying could easily be applied to photography especially when you’re scheduled photo shoot is interrupted by Mother Nature’s whims. I was reminded of this last week when I was trying to snap a shot of my daughter standing next to the first buds of spring. On this particular day it wasn’t my daughter who wasn’t cooperating, rather it was Mother Nature’s high winds that were causing problems for me (and my camera). It took me nearly 10 minutes to finally figure out that if … Continue reading →

Tips for Shooting Soccer Games

I recently received a note from a reader asking me for tips on how to capture “decent” pictures of her son during his soccer games. Why settle for “decent?” You can capture truly frameworthy sports photos if you practice a few simple techniques. Position. I dated a soccer player in high school and actually have experience shooting many action packed games. My first recommendation is to get off the bleachers and situate yourself near the goal at the end of the field. That way you can shoot up the field, rather than from the sidelines. What’s more, the end of … 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 →

Photo Tips: The Eyes Have It

I took more than 500 pictures during our recent trip to Hawaii and as I went through them the other day I noticed an interesting (translation: distracting) trend among them. In many of the shots my 3-year-old daughter is looking everywhere BUT the camera. And it’s not just in the photos I snapped—she’s looking away from the camera at nearly every attraction we visited. Luckily, I am a snap happy parent who takes more than one shot of each pose so I walked away with some real winners, but the trend did get me thinking about a photo subject’s way … Continue reading →