Take Better Photos now!

This was the beginning image of a project to document the new concert hall in Orange County. The construction company painted the outside dimensions of the building for visualization. My vantage point was a nearby high-rise about the 17th floor. The men were talking and I placed them in the upper convergence area of the upper horizontal and the left vertical thirds.

The line meanders from the lower area of convergence to the men, giving some visual tension and drama to the scene. The whole project was a blast and I can hardly believe the beautiful building that replaced this parking lot.

Today we stay with composition. This was taken during one of my photojournalism classes at UCLA for the staff of the Daily Bruin. We walked out on a bridge and looked for promising subjects. There was the usual hustle and bustle of a college campus, but sitting off to the side was a coed having her lunch. Slight tilt of the horizon helped to include the small walls that point toward the subject. For me, they point or lead the way to the subject, who I placed in the convergence of the upper horizontal and the right vertical third. Patience is not only a virtue but neccesary when creating your images. I waited for numerous pedestrians who walked through the frame, hoping the student wouldn’t finish her lunch and leave. Watching and waiting are always good skills to have in your bag. Try to look for a good situation and build the various piece(compositon, lighting, etc.)to make a great image.

Take better photos Now! Is a call out to anyone who has a camera, but wants to be better at it. Not tomorrow, but now! I’ve traveled the world as a photojournalist, a wedding photographer and a photojournalism teacher. It’s time to give a little back. So, check here for mostly daily posts on digital photography tips to help you, take better photos Now!

This first photo was taken the summer before 9/11. It was my first trip to New York and I was on my way to photograph Ellis Island. On the way I was trying to frame the Statue of Liberty with the Twin Towers when this woman reached out as if to touch her.

Here’s my first photo tip.

The rule of thirds:

Carve up the viewfinder into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Where these lines meet are called the areas of convergence. The eye naturally goes to these areas. Place your main subjects in these areas and you will have a stronger photo than where most amatuers put there subject. Dead center. The eye has no where to go, so make an interesting composition and you will have stronger photos.

Cheers,

Mike

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