Take Better Pictures

If this is your first visit to the Take Better Pictures blog, I suggest you start with the oldest blog entry first.  Then read them in order.  That way you will to go step by step with the information as originally presented.   The goal of the blog is to walk you through tips that will make you a better photographer.  So begin at the beginning! Here are some short cuts to help you.  Just click on the link and the post will open in a new tab. First post: You Can Take Amazing Pictures!   https://takebetterpics.blogspot.com/2020/08/you-can-take-amazing-pictures.html Second post: Take Better Pictures with the Camera You Own   https://takebetterpics.blogspot.com/2020/08/take-better-pictures-with-camera-you-own.html Third post: Take Better Pictures Using the Rule of Thirds   https://takebetterpics.blogspot.com/2020/08/take-better-pictures-using-rule-of.html Fourth post: Take Better Pictures Using Leading Lines   https://takebetterpics.blogspot.com/2020/08/take-better-pictures-using-leadi

 Sometimes what you see is not what you get! How many times have you taken a picture that you thought was pretty good,  only to find it disappoints you when you review it?  You notice an ugly bush in the foreground or a utility pole coming out of the head of your subject.  You think, “hey that wasn’t there when I took the picture!”.  Sadly it was.  The camera sees what your eyes ignore.  We have selective vision, cameras do not.   Our eyes direct our attention to those things that are important to us that we want to include in the picture.  In doing so, we can miss some obvious things that can distract us in the final picture.  The camera sees everything! This was a nightmare in the days of film because you did not get to review the picture until days after you shot it.  Today, we have instant review on our digital cameras so we have an opportunity to do a re-shoot.   In the picture above, someone's hand got into view when I took the picture.  I did not see it when I pressed the sh

 " The more you know, the more you grow." By now you may find that your interest in photography has grown beyond taking pictures of your friends and family.   You may have started to think more seriously about including all the techniques we have covered in this blog to create more artistic pictures.  This is a natural progression for the budding photographer.  You begin to think about creating   a picture that you have visualized in your mind.   How does the creative process start?   The start of the creative process depends on the individual artist.  The Creative Spark is within us all.  You must learn to use it. For me it begins in several ways.  Sometimes it is discovering an unexpected subject and composition when I am in the field working on a project.   At other times, it begins when I am sitting and daydreaming about an image I want to create.  The spark of an idea starts gets the ball rolling.   When you feel the spark, you know you are on the right track. Sitting an

 If it hasn’t happened already, be prepared! When friends and relations begin to see what a great photographer you are, you will soon be asked to take pictures for special occasions.  Of course you will be flattered to be asked.  But….. “With great power comes great responsibility”.   All superheroes are told this sooner or later.  YOU are the picture taking superhero!   When someone asks you to take pictures for a special occasion, you have to take the opportunity seriously and prepare yourself for the things you will have to do to properly shoot the special occasion. Planning Planning for a family special occasion such as a birthday party or holiday party  is very much like planning a landscape shoot except there are people to consider.  Just as in landscape photography, you will want to visualize what your ideal final pictures should look like. But to do so, take some additional steps: Meet with the the family member organizing the special occasion to get an idea of the kind of pict

Close to Home Sometimes you don't have the time or money to travel to a far location for a photo adventure.  The good news is you don't have to travel far to make great photographs.  Great photographic locations are nearer that you think.  They may even be in your own back yard. What? Yep, your back yard can offer you some wonderful photo opportunities.  Think about the flowers that you grow.  You can make great pictures of the flowers that bloom in your backyard throughout the summer.  Flowers attract butterflies and birds.  You can make stunning pictures of butterflies and birds. Don't forget your bird feeder either!  The possibilities are endless.  Check out local parks and nature preserves I used to live in the middle of a fairly large suburban city.  One of my favorite places to shoot was a local nature park about a mile from my home. There was this wonderful haven with nature trails and a beautiful stream running through it right in the middle of the city, .   I took