Photo tips to share

[beach512]

I heard some great photography tips that I thought I would share. You may not like them because it is not about getting the latest lens, photoshop action, D80 or G4 but here goes:

1) Put down you camera for a minute. The cat, the backyard posies and Uncle Harry's face up close can wait.

2) Start studying art history. Get a feel for what makes a great painting. Visit art museums. See how the great masters composed a painting.

3) After selecting something you want to photograph, don't. Instead draw it. Can't draw ? Learn.
When you learn to draw a flower, a landscape, an animal, the body, etc. , it takes time. You have to really look at the object or scene. Colors, shadows, outlines, contours, angles. You will see more things than you ever saw before when you just snapped a photograph.

Next time you take a photo, it will be more interesting.
These tips will add to your photography skills.
Hope these tips are helpful.

Dave

[xoul]

I totally agree, if you paint or do drawings you have a better understanding of what should be a good composition and will improve your photographs.

[slejhamer]

Excellent thoughts, Dave.

Along with your #2, for those who lack patience (myself included), I suggest studying movies that have won awards for lighting and cinematography. The top lighting directors are masters of portraiture, and the best cinematographers tend to be pretty good at landscapes. Plus, you won't get popcorn butter all over the art history books... :D

[martcol]

Well now, that all sounds a bit errrrm, arty-farty to me even though I agree with you! I think, look at things all the time and think camera. Have a look at other's work - loads of it on the net. Try Pekka's site, he's done some smashing photos. Show other people your own shots (perhaps a few at a time).

There's something magical to me, about a really good photo that goes way, way beyond the kit in front of your face. Look at other's pictures and try to work out for yourself what make them attractive.

Shoot first, ask questions later!

Martin