What’s the Point

Nov 30, 2015 | News

When preparing a photo for competition or for show and tell, I try to pick a photo that has two major factors, well maybe three. They are: Impact Does it tell a story Placement or composition If you find yourself wondering what the point is with a particular photo you may want to reconsider showing it. Better yet, ask yourself what is the point of this photo.  Yes there are varying degrees of the above qualities. Anyone of these qualities may overpower the other two and win the day.  A firemen running out of a building on fire with a child in his  hands has more impact than the composition. A bird such as a raptor gliding is nice but what is the point. If it had an animal in its talons or beak that would be better and a story teller.  That is not to say that the underbelly of a full spread Red Tail Hawk against a blue sky is not beautiful. All I’m saying is add impact to the shot somehow or perhaps you should move on to another photo. Then again maybe the sheer beauty of the bird is the impact and story wrapped together. Each photo has to stand on it’s own merit of Impact, Story Telling and Composition. Hand and Hoof Impact- yes; tell a story-yes (look at the steam, shoe and those burly arms); composition- ok follows the rule of thirds somewhat; nice mat to contain the photo and make the eye focus on the POINT. Feed Me Now Impact-yes (ah how cute); story- yes (baby wants to be feed) ; composition- yes- not quite rule of thirds but the...

A Different Perspective

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...

Rule of Odds- or is it just a guideline

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...

Whats this “rule of thirds thing” I keep hearing about

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...

Good Bird Magazines

Nov 4, 2015 | News

I find it useful and inspiring to page through magazines that have to do with what you like to photograph. I am sure there are similar state magazines as the California magazine on the right.  These types of magazines are idea provokers. If I see an interesting photo I tear it out and put it on my wall next to my computer....