How to take better photos

1. How to take better photos Basic rules of design

2. Rule of thirds • Placing your subject off-center creates an interesting, dynamic image. Imagine your photograph divided into three horizontal and vertical sections. To compose a well-balanced, off-center shot, place your subject near the intersections of the imaginary grid lines. This is called the rule of thirds.

3. Rule of thirds • Divide the image into three sections

4. Rule of thirds • Use the rule of thirds to createdynamic portraits

5. Rule of thirds • Emphasize a dramatic sky by placingthe horizon along the lower grid line

6. Rule of thirds • With a moving subject, use the rule of thirds to leave space for the subject to travel into

7. Rule of thirds • Busy shots feel more orderly when you apply the rule of thirds.

8. Get Close • Your subject is interesting, so get close to it. Don't let your pictures suffer from the "Grandma at the Grand Canyon" syndrome, with a tiny subject and lots of boring, irrelevant space.

9. Try Unusual Angles • Be bold! Try turning your camera to 45 degrees before snapping a picture. Or instead of snapping it from eye level, kneel down or lie on the ground to get a more interesting shot.

10. Frame Your Subject • Try framing your picture with foreground objects to add depth to the image.

11. Pay Attention to Lines • Curves, straight lines, and diagonals add energy and movement to your compositions. Let roads and rivers draw the viewer into the image or lead the viewer's eye in a specific direction. Watch for natural geometric patterns and place yourself at an interesting angle to them.

12. Pay Attention to Lines • Let roads and rivers lead the viewer into the picture

13. Pay Attention to Lines • Look for patterns of lines

14. Pay Attention to Lines • Diagonals are dynamic, and curves are sensual

15. Pay Attention to Lines • Don't let lines unintentionally throw your photo off balance. When you shoot the horizon or a building, keep the straight lines level—unless you're shooting at a dramatic, intentional angle.

16. Avoid Mergers

17. Avoid Mergers • As you position yourself to avoid a cluttered background, also look out for trees, lamp posts, and other background objects which might merge with your subject in unfortunate ways.

18. Look for Interesting Reflections and Shadows • Shadows and reflections add depth and artistry

19. Avoid Busy Backgrounds Busy Better

20. Be a picture director • A picture director takes charge. A picture director picks the location: "Everybody go outside to the backyard." A picture director adds props: "Girls, put on your pink sunglasses." A picture director arranges people: "Now move in close, and lean toward the camera Boring Better

21. Look your subject in the eye Too high • Direct eye contact can be as engaging in a picture as it is in real life. When taking a picture of someone, hold the camera at the person's eye level to unleash the power of those magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles Better angle

22. References • http://www.fotofinish.com/resources/centers/photo/takingpictures.htm • http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38/39&pq-locale=en_US

23. Most important~ • Take lots and lots of photos! • Digital photos are cheap! – • Use the “burst” mode to get great shots of sports, kids, people! • Experiment!

24. Review of tips • Rule of thirds: • Place object off center • Place horizon off center • Leave lead room for moving objects • Help with busy shots

25. Review of tips • Get close • Try unusual angles • Frame your subject • Pay attention to lines • Avoid mergers • Look for reflections and shadows

26. Review of tips • Avoid busy backgrounds • Be a picture director • Look your subject in the eye

27. Your Turn • Help me update this powerpoint with our own photos. • You will be assigned tip and with a partner, you will get photos that demonstrate a good and a bad version of the tip.