The whole frame

I have often seen images with body parts cut off at the wrong places or that branch that found it’s way to the side of the frame somehow and really takes away from the image.

To avoid this the solution is very, very simple … look at the whole frame

We have a tendency to get lost in the eyes of our subjects.  Looking for the right expression, the right moment to take the shot.  It’s normal to some extend, but can be corrected with care and following a check list.

1. Choose the right lens for the application
2. Choose the proper f-Stop and desired depth of field (DoF)
3. Now move around the subject and find the best angles to shoot
4. Place your subject and light accordingly
5. Adjust your distance and position to the subject for an optimal use of your optics
6. LOOK AT THE WHOLE FRAME … recover those missing feet of hands by moving back or changing the focal length if that option is available and a workable solution
7. Check one last time …
8. Shoot.

I follow this routine on every shoot and have had good luck with it, mainly because I am prepared I guess.  Do this on every set or frame change and make sure that what you get on “film” is what you intended to begin with.

Have fun shooting and hope this helps you avoid future blunders

Lessons in Photography – Blurry background in 3 easy steps

To better isolate your subject from the background you can make the background blurry so the subject really stands out.  If you are shooting outdoors, this is easy just make sure what ever you have in the background is far away (at least 15-20 feet) from your main subject.

What if you don’t have enough room, or are shooting in a smaller studio, Can you still make this work?   Short answer is, Yes.  OK, ready? Here we go  To get the best results you should use a focal length of 70mm and longer.

• Change the f-Stop to the lowest setting you have available on your lens* (this is that 2.8 or 1.4 that you hear people talk about, a kit lens only goes as low as 5.6 which does give the same effect but not as dramatic).
• Adjust your shutter speed to match the new f-Stop, you probably have to make your camera shoot faster as there will be more light going through the lens because we changed the f-Stop.
• Focus, compose and shoot
• You should now have a more blurry background

Remember the farther the background is from your subject the more blur effect you get.  You can also add more background blur by getting closer to your subject … just keep the corners in mind and don’t cut off people’s head 

Happy shooting

* Keep in mind that some lenses, yes even the good ones, lose their sharpness at their lowest and highest f-Stop settings.  Always test your lens to be sure by taking a couple of images and look at them on your monitor, not on the small LCD screen on the camera, and check for sharpness.

November Photography Workshops

Photography workshops

The next season of workshops is finally here.  Thank you to all of you for keeping in touch and inquiering about the workshops.

This season our workshops are bigger better and more specialized.  We want to bring you the full experience … from the shoot to the editing.

More info?  Please see the workshop page

5 great ways to improve your photography

Training yourself to be a better photographer is not a mystical journey nor an impossible thing.  It’s a reality that some people have a more tuned sense of composition.  However what comes naturally for some, can be learned with patience and exercise.

I recently had a long chat with a great Toronto artist, Fabrice, and we discussed composition for hours and how we had come to learn what was a natural process for many around us.  Here is a complete guide for you from our shared experiences, and well over 40 years (combined) behind the camera.

• Go through Photo-books

I can’t emphasize this enough.  Studying composition from the works of contemporary as well as classic names in photography is an absolute must.  Even if you are naturally gifted, it never hurts to see what other photographers have seen and interpreted from their environment.  Maybe you don’t even follow in their foot steps but it’s good to know which road they’ve taken.  I open a book every morning and through the day when I need to refresh my thoughts I look at some of my favorite images to give my creative muscle a boost.  Just don’t get lost in that for hours and hours, which can happen.

Used book stores and large retailers often have great books on photography for sale to help you enhance your library of images, resources and ideas.  Life still publishes specials with great images, as well as the following magazines

Photo    /    American Photo    /    PDN    /     Dossier   /    Black & White photography    /    Photolife and many many many more.

• Learn the rules of composition

” Composition, is defined as the combining of distinct parts or elements to form a whole. In photography that definition is very important in taking quality pictures. ” Richard Schneider

We also know the saying “Learn the rules before you break the rules”.   That actually is good advice in my humble opinion.  While knowing the rules can be important – knowing when to use them and when to break them is a talent that great photographers generally have.

Practice these techniques – but don’t get so worked up about them that they kill the creativity that you have.

Let me finish with a quote about Rules of Photography from Photographer Edward Weston to help give us a little balance on the topic:

“To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk. Such rules and laws are deduced from the accomplished fact; they are the products of reflection.”

http://www.photographymad.com/pages/view/10-top-photography-composition-rules

http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/film-camera-composition.html

http://www.photosecrets.com/photography-composition.html

(I found these ones had great examples and easy to absorb information)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_%28visual_arts%29 (this link has a more in depth look at composition)

• Take workshops

We have all at one point or another come to a point where we need to learn more about our craft.  Over the years I have apprenticed and assisted other photographers and taken many many many workshops to improve my skills.  With the introduction of digital photography and it’s availability to the general public, more people now have the chance to “create” pictures.   Learning the finer points and techniques is what distinguishes a seasoned professional and an amateur photographer.

Now workshops come in all sizes, shapes and colours.  Find the ones that offer you the most bang for your buck.  Remember that workshops are not just for shooting but also a great place to learn and ask questions.  Good workshops are well organized,  use professional models and stylists and offer a combination of teaching and shooting.   Personally I have learned most of my lighting skills, posing, relating to subject, facial and body analysis and digital workflow at workshops I have taken over the years.  I was lucky to apprentice with some great photographers and assisted a lot in my younger years.  The experience and wisdom of pros is worth it and if you participate with an open mind and absorb as much a you can, you will see results.

Be well rested and eat a good breakfast before heading out and make sure to check your equipment the night before.  Nothing is worst than running out of batteries or forgetting something at home.  Make a check list and go through it, the same way you do before a shoot.

• Look at your subject from different angles

We have all looked at photos of ourselves or people we know and at times have thought or said, I don’t like my face from this angle.  For portrait photographers it’s important to know and understand that people’s faces look different in different angles and that’s Facial analysis.  (Subject for a future Blog)

New photographers make a simple mistake; sticking to one angle of view of their subject.  This limits not only their creativity but also what might happen accidentally with the changing position of your lights or even the movement of your subject, at least for people and moveable things.  Better yet you can move around the subject keeping an eye on the background to keep the composition.

“The biggest mistake of amateur photography is not focusing on the subject. If your subject is a grainy wood door and door handle, move the camera closer to get it. No one needs to see the rest of the room because it is largely unimportant. Beginner photography also suffers from a direct, eye level viewpoint. For a picture of the door knob, don’t photograph it straight on – try looking for different angles to use. The door handle photograph will likely be much more interesting from a perspective that you normally do not see.”  http://www.guidetofilmphotography.com/film-camera-composition.html

• Personal projects

Last but not least is the personal project.  There are times when we need to exercise our creativity or simply keeping the active creative mind busy with a project to keep it happy.  Personal projects can range from doing a documentary to shooting still life in a studio, portraits of interesting looking people, flowers, bugs, people’s shoes … what ever really comes to mind.

I found this site yesterday that I found really interesting.  The artist has included some great images, simple, well composed and each one has a story.

http://www.amuseumofmyown.com/gallery.html?gallery=Exhibit%201%20%22Who%20Am%20I%22%20Eric%20Weiner&folio=

Personal projects also tend to get you out of creative blocks.  It happens to everyone from time to time and visual artists are no exception to it.  A fun or simple personal project allows you to go and play … just have fun with your photography and soon your block is history and new ideas come rushing in