'Thinking' With Your Camera

By Rachel Davison

When you first start taking photos, things don’t just automatically fall into place. You have to learn what to look for – it’s like anything – there is a thought process behind it, which eventually becomes automatic with practice and know-how.

Pointing and shooting – aiming the lens directly at the subject, lining up the most important features and pressing the button – isn’t going to produce that brilliant photo you are hoping for!

Many photography experts state you will take better photos if you think for a minute or two, and give yourself time to look at the scene through the viewfinder before pressing the button. Holding off for even just a few seconds, will give you an opportunity to see objects, lights, people and colours that could potentially enhance or spoil the photo.

For example, would the subject look better if you took the photo horizontally instead of vertically? Moving to the left or right, or closer to the subject might eliminate those elements that you don’t want in the photo, for example, the branch of a tree in the very top corner of the photo, which you didn’t see at first. It’s all about structure and framing and with practice, you will begin to ‘see’ and take much better photos.

But there’s nothing like trial and error. What’s fantastic about a digital camera is you can take as many photos as you like – from different angles and using a variety of settings – and then later, you can sit down and review them all and see which one’s worked best. You can delete those average shots you don’t want to see again! And soon you will be taking photos that are beyond an ordinary snapshot and end up being a photo with real impact and feeling – something you can be proud of.

Some things to try:

1. Place the subject slightly off-centre or on an angle in the viewfinder – this can create more balance and visual impact than placing the subject smack, bang in the centre of the photo

2.Are there any interesting lines or structures, which you can use to frame the subject or bring attenuation to it? Lines can add a feeling or vibe and add something interesting to the photo.

Just like anything in life, some thought and awareness about the subject and what you are wanting to communicate can help turn your photo from a jumbled mess into something that has something interesting to say. The beauty of a good photo is often the photographers’ interpretation of the subject and that awareness the viewer gets from seeing something from a totally different angle.

For more information about photography, visit the ‘Beginners Guide to Digital Photography’ at: http://digitalphotoguide.blogspot.com/

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