Sometimes it’s ok to get too close for comfort, especially when you’re trying to take an artistic photograph. There are millions of interesting objects of all shapes, sizes and colors out there, so why not capture them in photos? Geometric patterns and unique shapes can make for some amazing photographs. Don’t be afraid to try close-up shots of the random items in your room, at the mall, or in your own backyard. There are a few things that will help you take better close-ups, including:
- Proper lighting to avoid ugly shadows. Be sure that your light source is bright and that it doesn’t create shadows that could hinder the outcome of your photograph. Some shadows are ok, as long as they don’t block what it is you’re trying to capture.
- Macro settings on your camera. Some higher-end cameras have a macro setting that allows you to take incredibly detailed photographs of very small objects. If your camera has this setting, try using it to capture even the tiniest details.
- Tripods or stationary surfaces. It’s very important to hold your camera very still when you’re taking close ups. If you don’t have a tripod, try resting the camera on a shelf, a stack of books, or even your own knee.
Have you ever seen a photograph and simply wanted to stare at it forever? All great pictures have one thing in common. They are well composed. There’s a balance to it.
Composition — also called “framing” — is fun to talk about, because there is no right or wrong. The only rule is that there are no rules. But there are a few tips to help you take better pictures:
- Pay attention to framing. Nothing ruins a photo faster than distracting elements in the background. Watch out for poles, trees and power lines, and look all the way around the edges of the frame, asking “Is this what I really want?”
- Learn the Rule of Thirds. The human eye has its “visual center” and this is the place that it is naturally drawn to. Imagine the viewfinder is divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. This grid creates four points where the lines cross. For the greatest impact, place the subject where the lines intersect, instead of in the center of the frame.
- Every photo has a foreground and a background. How you want people to look at your picture tells you what to do with the foreground and background. To blur the background, zoom in close and choose a large aperture setting (like F2.8). This works really well for pictures of a person.
- Change your line of sight. Try kneeling, or even putting the camera on the ground. Or climb a flight of stairs so you’re higher than the subject you’re photographing. Changing angles provides a new way of seeing things, and makes for a more dramatic picture.
- Look for elements that lead the eyes through the photo. A winding path, a row of telephone poles or even a line of chairs at the beach can serve as elements in a good photo.
- Keep your eyes open for patterns. Interesting photos can be made of the waves and patterns created by drifting snow, a flock of birds flying in formation or pipes stacked at a construction site.
- Try getting in close. Look for texture, in the wrinkles of a face or the bark of a tree. Hands say a lot about a person. Pay attention to details.
- Cropping brings a photo to life. If you edit photos on the computer, you are no longer limited to the standard 4 x 6, 5 x 7 or 8 x 10 print sizes. Look at each photo and think about what you really want people to see. Then crop everything else away. Try some unusual shapes, like panoramas or narrow verticals.
Remember: variety is the spice of photography. Composition is only limited by your imagination. Experiment, have fun, and keep learning!
The best way to communicate through pictures is to make the important elements the most visible. This starts with picking your field of view. Think about what the viewer needs to see to get your point across. Is it the ocean and the waves they need to see to establish where the picture is being taking , or is it the tear rolling down a person’s cheek to convey the emotion of the subject? Then pick a field of view that includes only that which is necessary to get your point across
