Monday, October 6, 2008

Becoming a more effective photog: rules 1 through 5


Monrovia St, Shreveport
Originally uploaded by trudeau
Fine arts students should practice photography as much as possible. The camera represents a marvelous way to look at the world in an artistic fashion.

My favorite guidelines after 4 decades of shooting and being a serious student of cameras as well as videcams:

1. Shoot as much as possible. First, the more you shoot, the more likely you are to capture a winning shot. Secondly, the more you shoot, the more you may learn about lighting and composition.

2. You learn through your mistakes. I can vividly remember most of the things I've done wrong in photography. You will, too.

3. Why your teacher often uses a high POV:
- Shooting from above minimizes wrinkles and enables people to look younger.
- Looking at people from above minimizes their body fat. You look slimmer!
- High POV is a pro technique.

4. High POV also makes everyone visible in large group shots. For stylish shooting get yourself up on a chair, a table, a cabinet, a window ledge, a ladder.

5. The most appealing type of lighting is side light. Pose someone next to a window or a lamp. Watch the light - hitting them from the side - bring out the contours of their face. Side light is what the pros use.
Soft side light would be the best.

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