Dec 10, 2015 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, News
As I said in a previous post, one of the three most important essentials to a good or great photo is IMPACT. So what do you do if you have a photo that looks pretty good but you feel it needs a little more juice. Based on my competition experience, I find that the judges know too that a certain photo needs a little more umph to get it in the merit classification. Often, the piece of advise is to add a border with the possibility of a stroke or key-line to hold the focus on the subject. These two items can really change how a photo looks. I know the purists will not like this but I think for the beginner photographer this is one easy approach without knowing a lot about Photoshop etc. Ready for Take-Off This shot was taken in Cape May, New Jersey. It was one of those anticipate and be patient shots. This Red Wing Black Bird never stayed still and it was windy in the marsh. When I looked at the photo in the computer I liked the action of the wings. It was perfect. I always wanted to get something like this but the situation never presented itself as it did on this day. As I looked at this image, I asked myself how can make this image even more impactful. When I do use Photoshop it would be for borders and key lines. Click here for description of a key-line. Ready for Take-off , with border and key-line This photo now has a black border and a little line that goes...
Nov 23, 2015 | California Nature Photography, Macro and Close-Up Photography, News
Sometimes you may want to look for a picture within the picture. There can be a gem hiding someplace within your larger photo. Here is an example. Swamp Ears This is a shot of a lot of lichen on a log. Only this particular shot is very small. The photograph illustrates a shot within the shot. Here is another example of a photo within the photograph. I took a portrait shot of a huge eucalyptus tree. The bark had a lot of texture and color. I played with the sliders to get even more color. I then turned the portrait to landscape which made the wave more noticeable. As an abstract, this came out pretty interesting. Interesting enough to get a Judges Choice and Best of Category in Fine Art. Eucalyptus...
Nov 16, 2015 | California Nature Photography, Macro and Close-Up Photography, News
Don’t get hung up on the Rules of this and that. I use the “Rule of Thirds” as a guideline. I don’t adhere to it all the time. It is a starting point and then I work my composition to what I think is the most pleasing to the eye. There is another rule that I use when possible. It is called the “Rule of Odds”. 3 and 5 subjects can be more pleasing to the eye/brain than 4 and 6. With the following example, I could have easily left the little mushroom out of the photo. The photo seems more interesting when the “third” little mushroom is included. We Love You Little One So the moral of the story is don’t get hung up on rules of this or that they are just guidelines. Of course, some of the great master painters used these rules or guidelines. Click here for more information concerning the rule of...
Nov 9, 2015 | California Nature Photography, California Wildlife Photography, News
When I first started being serious about photography a few years ago, I would hear speakers and presenters talk about the “rule of thirds”. It was usually when the subject of composition came up. Think of a tick tack toe grid, where the lines intersect is where you want the main focus or subject matter to land. It doesn’t have to be exactly at the intersection. This rule helps with composition/balance. You don’t want your subject to be right smack in the center of the photo. It does not sit right with the eye. You can use this technique for vertical or horizontal photos. Here are a few photos that will help get the idea across. Waiting for Love-Horizontal or Landscape One and Done- Horizontal or Landscape Ready for Take-Off- Vertical or Portrait Do you always have to use the rule of thirds. No you don’t have to use the rule of thirds but it will help your overall photo if you do. Here is a shot that won a lot of awards and does not follow the rule of thirds. Pretty Boy- non-conforming...
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