ºÝºÝߣ

ºÝºÝߣShare a Scribd company logo

Taking a Better Photograph

?
?
Rizwan Kassim
Rizwan Kassim

Rizwan Kassim's last minute presentation for BarCampSD2 for Amateur Photographers. "How to Take a Better Photograph"

1 of 25
Taking a better photograph Rizwan Kassim rizwank@geekymedia.com tags: barcampla, photography, engineer, restaurant November 11th, 2007 1 1
What I Do Software and Systems Engineer, uWink, Inc. Interactive restaurant with at-the-table touchscreen ordering, solo and group gaming, and group activities. From the same mind that brought you Atari and Chuck-E-Cheese. Senior Engineer, Hometown Telecom VoIP International calling plans online I also take photographs as a hobby 2 2
Scope This is not an exhaustive list You¡¯ve may have probably heard many, if not all, of these before Avoiding technical discussions about fstops and exposure I highly recommend spending a few hours reading about these subjects. 3 3
Photograph Sources Outright theft New York Institute of Photography http://www.nyip.com kodak.com http://tinyurl.com/3c6taq www.theimageisfound.com Thanks to Jen Cleary, Hollee Brinlee and Lisa Brewster 4 4
Equipment Most of these tips can help even with a simple throwaway Point and Shoot. You don¡¯t have to spent thousands of dollars in photography gear. It can help. Most importantly, you need equipment that you¡¯re familiar with and trust. Don¡¯t get stuck in the Nikon vs. Canon debate. Pick one. Enjoy. Megapixel count isn¡¯t as important as they make it out to be. Wait until your equipment actually restricts your vision. 5 5
There are no rules As with any artistic pursuit, there are no rules, only guidelines. That being said, trust the guidelines until you know when to break them. Except one rule. Don¡¯t take pictures of people eating food. They won¡¯t like it. 6 6
NYIP¡¯s Three Rules Guidelines Guideline One: What is the subject of my photograph? Guideline Two: How can I focus attention on my subject? Guideline Three: Is there anything I can do to simplify my photograph? Is there anything in the frame that¡¯s distracting? 7 7
The subject is obvious 8 8
Image from www.theimageisfound.com Focusing Attention 9 9
Avoiding Distractions Cropping What¡¯s wrong with her legs? 10 10
Presentation A great photograph is recognizable as a great photograph Occasionally, a good photograph needs a bit of help Editing/Cropping Avoiding the ubiquitous 4x6¡± 35mm print Borders and Framing Posed casual pictures = boring 11 11
Kodak¡¯s 10 tips for better photos 12 12
Look your subject in the eye 13 13
Avoid distracting backgrounds 14 14
The magic of the Flash 15 15
Get in closer 16 16
Rule of Thirds 17 17
18 18
Lock your focus 19 19
Know the range of your ?ash 20 20
Lighting Lighting Lighting ¡°Painting Shadows¡± Photography = ¡°Drawing with Light¡± (c) Jennifer Colston 21 21
Rotate the damn camera 22 22
Direct your posed shots 23 23
Getting better Decide why you¡¯re shooting Are you capturing your child¡¯s ?rst birthday or attempting to be artistic. Are you a photojournalist or part of the scene? Do competitions, or self challenges http://www.dpchallenge.com/ Too much ?exibility - try restricting yourself. Turn off the Zoom Lens. Five Obstructions. Walk your block. 24 24
Final Thoughts Shoot a lot THINK about your photographs before you take them Edit your photographs Learn about Focus, Depth of Field, fstops and Focal Lengths. Post and share your photographs (Thanks Doug!) ?ickr, photo.net, nyip.com, slideshowpro.net. Any others? 25 25

More Related Content

Taking a Better Photograph

  • 1. Taking a better photograph Rizwan Kassim rizwank@geekymedia.com tags: barcampla, photography, engineer, restaurant November 11th, 2007 1 1
  • 2. What I Do Software and Systems Engineer, uWink, Inc. Interactive restaurant with at-the-table touchscreen ordering, solo and group gaming, and group activities. From the same mind that brought you Atari and Chuck-E-Cheese. Senior Engineer, Hometown Telecom VoIP International calling plans online I also take photographs as a hobby 2 2
  • 3. Scope This is not an exhaustive list You¡¯ve may have probably heard many, if not all, of these before Avoiding technical discussions about fstops and exposure I highly recommend spending a few hours reading about these subjects. 3 3
  • 4. Photograph Sources Outright theft New York Institute of Photography http://www.nyip.com kodak.com http://tinyurl.com/3c6taq www.theimageisfound.com Thanks to Jen Cleary, Hollee Brinlee and Lisa Brewster 4 4
  • 5. Equipment Most of these tips can help even with a simple throwaway Point and Shoot. You don¡¯t have to spent thousands of dollars in photography gear. It can help. Most importantly, you need equipment that you¡¯re familiar with and trust. Don¡¯t get stuck in the Nikon vs. Canon debate. Pick one. Enjoy. Megapixel count isn¡¯t as important as they make it out to be. Wait until your equipment actually restricts your vision. 5 5
  • 6. There are no rules As with any artistic pursuit, there are no rules, only guidelines. That being said, trust the guidelines until you know when to break them. Except one rule. Don¡¯t take pictures of people eating food. They won¡¯t like it. 6 6
  • 7. NYIP¡¯s Three Rules Guidelines Guideline One: What is the subject of my photograph? Guideline Two: How can I focus attention on my subject? Guideline Three: Is there anything I can do to simplify my photograph? Is there anything in the frame that¡¯s distracting? 7 7
  • 8. The subject is obvious 8 8
  • 9. Image from www.theimageisfound.com Focusing Attention 9 9
  • 10. Avoiding Distractions Cropping What¡¯s wrong with her legs? 10 10
  • 11. Presentation A great photograph is recognizable as a great photograph Occasionally, a good photograph needs a bit of help Editing/Cropping Avoiding the ubiquitous 4x6¡± 35mm print Borders and Framing Posed casual pictures = boring 11 11
  • 12. Kodak¡¯s 10 tips for better photos 12 12
  • 13. Look your subject in the eye 13 13
  • 15. The magic of the Flash 15 15
  • 18. 18 18
  • 20. Know the range of your ?ash 20 20
  • 21. Lighting Lighting Lighting ¡°Painting Shadows¡± Photography = ¡°Drawing with Light¡± (c) Jennifer Colston 21 21
  • 22. Rotate the damn camera 22 22
  • 23. Direct your posed shots 23 23
  • 24. Getting better Decide why you¡¯re shooting Are you capturing your child¡¯s ?rst birthday or attempting to be artistic. Are you a photojournalist or part of the scene? Do competitions, or self challenges http://www.dpchallenge.com/ Too much ?exibility - try restricting yourself. Turn off the Zoom Lens. Five Obstructions. Walk your block. 24 24
  • 25. Final Thoughts Shoot a lot THINK about your photographs before you take them Edit your photographs Learn about Focus, Depth of Field, fstops and Focal Lengths. Post and share your photographs (Thanks Doug!) ?ickr, photo.net, nyip.com, slideshowpro.net. Any others? 25 25