“Take Better Pictures”

In researching photography, I read “Take Better Pictures” from The Kodak Library of Creative Photography. There were a handful of images that “any photographer would be proud to take”. This book was aimed to teach simple techniques and clear creative principles of photography.

I found that I knew a lot of these techniques, and I have applied them to my photographs but it is helpful to reiterate the aspects that make a good photo.

Seeing Pictures

It talked about training the eye to see images that will give pleasure when they are taken out of the complex, confused, and constantly shifting world and made into photographs isolated by their frames. They eye is works without our being consciously aware of the process, the brain controls the eye as it rapidly scans a scene to build up a complete picture. A camera can only focus on part of a scene; however the camera has certain powers that are beyond those of the eye.

Identifying the Subject

This is important because one situation usually offers a whole wide range of choices. You should look for a subject that will make a single strong point. If there are too many details in the viewfinder that do not support the main point, the picture will tend to look untidy. There was an example of a conventional panorama, a downward shot, and a close up.

Studied Images, fleeting moments

The camera’s ability to freeze moments of action is one of photography’s most remarkable attributes. An alert photographer can capture these crucial moments, and must learn to anticipate anything photo opportunity. The other approach requires patience, because even the simplest objects can be arranged to make an attractive picture. Light is one of the keys to success in photography, and even natural light can be controlled.

Experimentation

It is important to experiment and each good photographer eventually develops a way of taking pictures that is personal and distinctive.

Aperture

Aperture is adjusted I a series of click stops, each full stop doubling or halving the amount of light let ring in a coded numerical series called f numbers. At maximum aperture only the main focused subject is sharp. The foreground and background are blurred. At a medium aperture the depth of fiend is greater. Most of the background is sharp, but the foreground is still out of focus. At minimum aperture depth of field is so great that even the foreground is sharp.

Isolating what is important

When taking a candid portrait bright colors or strong shapes in the background or foreground may compete for attention with the subject. There are three ways of minimizing depth of field: using a wide aperture, a long focus lens, or a close viewpoint.