Rule of Thirds

Taking better photos can be as easy as 1, 2, 3….(yep, I said it).  The “Rule of Thirds” is probably the most basic principals of composition that most amateur photographers neglect or don’t understand.

Perhaps the most well know principle of photographic composition is the ‘Rule of Thirds‘.

The “Rule of Thirds” one of the first things that budding digital photographers learn about in classes on photography and rightly so as it is the basis for well balanced and interesting shots.

I will say right up front however that rules are meant to be broken and ignoring this one doesn’t mean your images are necessarily unbalanced or uninteresting. However a wise person once told me that if you intend to break a rule you should always learn it first to make sure your breaking of it is all the more effective!

4 DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS

Digital Photography School offers some excellent basic, yet often overlooked, tips for taking better photos.  Whether you’re working with a high-end digital SLR or a pocket-sized point and shoot, these rules apply.

As with most talents, there are some foundations and rules on which you should build. Once you have mastered these rules, you can start breaking them to expand your creative repertoire, venturing beyond your old stomping grounds.  After all, breaking rules can be the best part of art; this is where you find your unique style as an artist.

Here’s how it breaks down:

1. Composition – nothing improves your photos faster and more noticeably than proper composition.
2. Learn about your camera - understanding how your camera works can help you choose the best settings for your lighting conditions.
3. Follow the light – understand how light affects your photos.
4. Explore the industry – in a nutshell, learn from others.  Study other people’s photographs and learn what it is that makes them great.
   

Continue reading 4 Digital Photography Tips for the Year Ahead

Step Closer for More Interesting Photos

Great tip via Lifehacker!

Nowadays, we can do so much photo editing after the fact that we often don’t realize what a difference framing makes. Despite what you may think, stepping forward will probably be better than cropping later (or digital zoom) when taking photos.

Helen Bradley explains on her Pro Photo Blog:

If there is one technique most digital camera users can use today to instantly improve their photos it is to stand at least two or three steps closer to their subject. Most photographers stand too far away from their subjects so the subject ends up being very small relative to the rest of the photo. When you move closer to your subject you make them larger in the viewfinder so they fill the photograph.

When you’re taking a picture of an actual object, like a person, a tighter photo is far more interesting and dramatic than one with lots of background. In the age of digital cameras many of us less seasoned professionals often think that we can just crop and zoom after the fact, but that isn’t necessarily so—cropping and digital zooming do not achieve the same effect as actually getting the lens closer to the subject (note that optical zooming does work, in this case—most cameras have both, so if you have to use the zoom, make sure you’re using the right one). Got any other tips for more interesting photos? Share them in the comments!

Minimalist Imagery | Maximum Impact

Amazing minimalist movie poster artwork.  Visually simple, but so clear and vivid in its message.  This is my favorite type of imagery and art.  Be sure to browse around the rest of the amazing Blog of Francesco Mugnai.  Inspiring for designers, photographers, artists and creatives….