Photography is more than just pointing a camera and shooting several pictures. I have come to understand that it is about capturing a piece of time that tells a story, evokes emotion, and makes viewers stop to take in the moment.
Mastering Balance in Composition
When taking out your camera to take a photo, one of the first things to think and solve is framing your shot. Balance is important. A few questions to ask when framing your shot is, Do I want the subject in the center, or would it look more interesting off to the left or right side? Growing up I always thought it was necessary to take photos where my subject was lined up dead center. As I grew and surrounded myself with more stories and art, I learned that there are other rules and techniques like medium shots, low-angle shots, and more, that offer unique perspectives.
When a composition is well-balanced, it draws viewers in and can tell a deeper story.
Lighting: A Photo’s Best Friend or Worst Enemy
Lighting is a major component of photography. Lighting can make or break a photo, and it also sets the overall mood of the photo. For the best lighting for photos, one might use natural sunlight, Softbox, LEDs, overhead lights, flashlights, ring lights, or light diffusers. I think it is vital to take the time to understand lighting. A photographer could see great improvements in their work when they properly set up the best lighting before their photos are taken.
Know Your Gear
Using the best equipment available to YOU is priority #1. Understanding your equipment’s capabilities will set up how effective and productive your photoshoot will be. If your camera does not have certain attachments or lenses, it will be difficult to capture certain effects or depth in photos that you may desire. I think it is best to work with what you have and build the tools and skills from there that will achieve the best overall look.
The Power of Contrast
I believe there is a reason why the phrase “opposites attract” is still very popular. It also applies to photography. Before I turn photos into paintings, I look at how contrast brings my image to life, whether it is through color, light, subject matter, or even texture. Oftentimes, the most interesting photos are the ones that showcase unexpected elements paired together. I personally love seeing strong contrast in a photo-it challenges the viewer to see things from a new perspective and adds layers of depth that are hard to ignore.
Through all the shared tips, photography resembles a journey, and every shot taken is one step forward. I consider myself a videographer rather than a photographer. Knowing and understanding the idea concepts for both medias are similar, I will continue to experiment with, learn about, and shoot more photography. I never know if the next photo I take will be something truly unforgettable.
