Search results for: photography composition framing
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Posted
Portrait photographer Mike Foley covers the theory behind portraiture, focusing on how to use shapes and posing to create stronger compositions. Mike also discusses the power of simple lighting and how to achieve professional results with a minimal setup.
0:00 - Intro
2:27 - Classic approach
10:03 - Finding / making a triangle in frame
22:51 - Rembrandt lighting
39:54 - Bringing both methods together
43:26 - Closing
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there’s one question fledgling photographers often ask, it’s “How did you get such a nice background?” Backgrounds are an essential element of a photograph that are often neglected. In fact, it’s safe to say that a background is as important to a composition as the subject itself. After all, a distracting one will detract from an image.
In this guide, we’re going to cover the many methods used to capture clean, smooth backgrounds in our images. This will encompass the settings and gear involved as well as the in-the-field techniques you can
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Through the cacophony of forest sounds, your ears home in on a buzzy, almost garbled ascending song. Perhaps you recognize it immediately, or maybe you need to confer with one of the trusty internet databases or apps. You train your eyes on the canopy, scanning for movement of any kind, when you see it: the cerulean warbler, a small rowdy songbird with wings slightly splayed from the body. Quickly, you lower your binoculars and train your camera on the little blue passerine before snapping a few frames.
The resulting photos clearly show the
by Jill Waterman · Posted
There is perhaps no truer sign of summer than Independence Day in the United States. The Fourth of July is when the summer season kicks into full gear, with barbeques, pool parties, family gatherings, and road trips galore—not to mention the fireworks!
One lead-up to this holiday that I will never forget found me hurtling down the New Jersey Turnpike at sunset in a Greyhound bus. As the twilight deepened, bright bursts of fireworks began shooting up past the tree line, close by and at a distance, reflecting in the darkened glass of the
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Do you want to preserve the memory of that awesome neighborhood fireworks show? Let's discuss the best ways to try to make a memorable photograph commemorating the event.
Before we get started, let me say that there are many ways to accomplish fireworks photography and no technique is usually worse or better than others. The only thing that really matters as you head home after the show is:
You enjoyed the photographic process.
You are left with a photograph or photographs that you personally enjoy.
You enjoyed the fireworks show!
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Sports photographers are newcomers to the a7R party. Not because they're late to the series, but because until now the camera line simply wasn't well-suited for action, what with its processor-hungry file sizes slowing things down. Sony aims to change all that with the a7R VI Mirrorless Camera, the company's latest 66.8MP full-frame shooter offering unprecedented speed for the series.
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
There’s an old adage that claims in order to be a wildlife photographer, you need a lot of time and a lot of money. This is only partly true. Many great wildlife photo opportunities can occur in urban parks and even in your own backyard, as long as we know what we’re doing. In this article, we’re going to cover a number of essential tips that will help you become a better wildlife photographer.
If you’ve read our introduction
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Do you plan your images? Really think about that question. Do you have an idea of an image before you head out for a shoot, or do you let the moment inspire you as the pieces fall into place? There's no wrong answer here. Planning or "pre-visualization" is a key piece of the photography puzzle that some put a lot of thought and effort into while others effortlessly come up with ideas on the fly.
No matter how you go about taking a picture, there is some level of planning that goes into a shot. With that said, there's a big difference between
Posted
Now that you understand your camera from Part 1, the next step is understanding what makes a good photograph. Derek goes over some of the core elements of photo theory, composition, perfective, and storytelling.
0:00 - Intro
5:05 - Review of what makes an effective photograph
5:47 - Composition
12:54 - Rule of thirds
18:37 - Golden/Fibonacci spiral
23:47 - Leading lines
32:59 - Negative space
38:29 - Asymmetry
41:52 - Frame within a frame
43:10 - Patterns/Repetition
44:34 - Perspective
55:01 - Storytelling - Photo breakdown
1:15:29 - Photo
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Of the many decisions a wedding photographer makes, the choice between digital and film might be the most crucial of all, determining both how one shoots and the look of the final product.
The technology that turns an entire congregation into content creators also unlocks immense advantages, creative and logistical, for wedding photographers. And yet, twenty-plus years into the age of digital photography, the aura of film remains as strong as ever and is sought after
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Weddings are fast-paced events for photographers, and there’s so much to do. From portraits of the bride and groom to family formals, there’s much to cover, and we haven’t even scratched the surface yet. While all focus is on the bride, groom, and their families, there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes material to capture. As wedding photographers, you need to wear many hats, and that includes landscape, food, and product photography.
Proficiency in photographing product is a must, as there are many details and accoutrements to photograph
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Composition in photography refers to the way in which we arrange visual elements in an image. It's how we position the subject in the frame and how all elements combine to create a visually appealing photograph.
All photographs © Mathew Malwitz
Expensive cameras and long lenses can only get us so far. It's not the gear that makes the photo, but the photographer. A creative and observant eye is the key to making visually pleasing photographs. These skills can be learned, and with practice, you'll be well on your way to creating strong
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Despite what you might have seen on the internet, you don’t need all the money and time in the world to photograph wildlife. Sure, an African safari would be nice, but it is by no means the only way to capture stunning images of wild animals. In fact, regardless of where you live, odds are there’s a vast ecosystem that likely goes unnoticed. If you have trees in your neighborhood, you’re off to a great start.
What You Need to Photograph Wildlife
While gear plays a crucial role in our ability to photograph wildlife, it isn’t everything. In this
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there’s one area of wildlife photography that challenges even some of the most consummate artists, it’s birds in flight. A dynamic flight shot shows action, and a bit of technical prowess. As you can imagine, capturing birds in flight is no easy feat.
To consistently capture these shots, one must be proficient with their gear and have a knowledge of animal behavior. We’d go as far as to say you need a bit of luck too, but what is luck if not preparedness meeting opportunity. In order to make the most of the opportunities that present
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
When you first head out to take photos of wildlife, what’s the first thing you think of? If it’s not lighting, we’ve got news for you. Photography is, by definition, the capture of light on a light-sensitive surface. The word “photograph” is derived from Greek roots that translate to “drawing with light.”
We can have the most expensive camera and lens combo, but without good light, we’ll never get the most out of it. Understanding our primary light source and its many qualities is essential to improving as a wildlife photographer, and in this