Once again, another year is over and we all look forward to what the new one will bring. It is also a good time to reflect on the year that has passed. I like to examine any photos that I took during the year that I really like. I try to find out why I like them and what makes them stand out from all the others. Is it the lighting, or perhaps the composition or a combination of both? You can often photograph the same thing countless times and yet find that you have only one great photograph. Usually it is the lighting, the most critical component of any picture. Many people go out during the brightest part of the day and shoot away, only to find after they get their pictures back, that they are far from what they saw when taking it. Noonday sun is too bright and has too much contrast. There are no pleasing shadows and the sky, if included in the photo, is so washed out, that it appears almost white. Once again, the early or late part of the day is when you will find the most pleasing lighting, when it’s a sunny day.
Cloudy days provide great lighting, but skies can be tricky, unless the clouds are very dramatic as in heavy storm clouds. The lighting on a cloudy day, is extremely even and will light up the subject uniformly making exposure a snap. Any camera with a built in meter will be able to read the scene and provide spot on exposure.
Yet, at times, we see pictures that are beyond even these best lighting conditions and this is what you should be constantly on the lookout for. Perhaps a foggy morning and the sun just starting to burn through will make all the difference in the world. A unique lighting will make unique photographs. I know this is not the first time I mention lighting, but it is so critical that it deserves to be repeated.
Morning fog
Of course, you can’t have a great photograph, if the subject is boring or if you have not mastered the fundamentals of composition. If someone has to ask, what the picture is, then you have failed. A picture that is well exposed and has decent lighting, but really has no focal point, is useless. A portrait style photograph with the subject placed smack dab in the middle and occupying only a fraction of the picture is only fit for the garbage can. One important rule and a very easy one to remember-is that less is more. Include less background and more of the focal point Zoom in on the person you are shooting, try just a head and shoulders shot. The landscape that looks so huge and magnificent to your eye, will no doubt appear too far away and insignificant on a four by six piece of paper. The trick is to zero in on a certain aspect of the landscape and bring it to the forefront of the photo. Your viewer will recognize the objects and appreciate the beauty of what you have captured. Simple solutions really, but easy to forget when you are on scene. The old adage that practice makes perfect is all too true in photography and if you make a point of shooting a little each week and applying some of these fundamental elements, I guarantee that your photography will improve. Remember too, that if it was that easy, then everyone would be a pro!
Next month, I will have the test results in from a new digital camera that happily, was under the tree Christmas morning. I’ll post a few and let you know what I think. So, until next month, happy shooting.
