Transcript How to Take Professional Pictures

How to Take
Professional Pictures
Get to know different aspects of
photography
 Get proper equipment
 Learn everything you can about your
camera – KNOW your camera
 Follow best practices
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What makes a good photo?
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Free of blur/image noise
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Should catch viewer’s eye
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Adding something different from usually
adds the photographers personal touch to
the photograph
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What you don’t see
clearly, nor does the
camera – get up close
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Don’t let a photo look as
if it has been taken at the
spur of the moment or by
mistake
Getting to take the photo
Keep the camera steady:
If possible get a tripod
Or
Rest your elbows on something stable or hold
them tight to your body to stay still
Or
Use the camera timer to avoid camera
movement when pressing the shutter button
You can…
check whether your camera has image
stabilisation – yet it does not always help
(depends on your style)… especially for
video.
Shooting Moving Subjects
If the object is moving, you
have to anticipate the
action to avoid motion
blur
 Need to know in your mind
how the shot will look like
before you take it
 Shooting people walking fast shutter speed ex.
1/250
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Moving objects
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Give them space
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If the subject is moving don’t put the
subject in the middle but leave extra space
in front – see where it’s going
Enough Light? Or too much?
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1.
2.
F-stop - controls
how much light enters your lens
depth of field (how clear is background)
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A portrait needs a small F-Stop (f/1) = large aperture
to get clear object, background not in focus
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A group need a higher
F-Stop (f/32)
= small aperture to get
everything in focus
Composition
Anyone can take a photo but not all photos are
spectacular
Techniques:
1. Different angles
2. No distractions in background
3. Create contrast
4. Fill your frame
5. Frame your subject
6. Rule of thirds
Different angles

Taking pictures from different angles can
alter a photographs perspective
considerably.
Background
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Does anything in the
background stand out?
Attract attention from
subject?
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Do a background check background can either
make or break the overall
result of a photograph.
A background distraction
can take all the “flavour”
from the photograph.
Background not helpful?
move your subject into a more appropriate
position
 wait for the background to become more
suitable (example: people getting out of
the way)
 change your position and shoot from an
alternative angle
 fill your frame with the subject, eliminating
the background completely
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Impossible?
Consider photo editing software to touch up
those photos and bring life back to your
main point focal point
Contrast enhances the image
Colour contrast
 opposite colours
compliment each other,
resulting in a highcontrast photo.
 using colours close to
each other on the colour
wheel will create a lowcontrast photo.
Less is more.
 Too many colours decrease the level of
contrast. The viewer’s attention will tend to
shift away from your focal points when
other colours are present.
Ratio Impact
 a little of one
contrasting colour
will help your focal
point stand out
 equal amounts of
both contrasting
colours lose effect
Fill Your Frame…
with your point of interest enhance your photo and
eliminate all background clutter
 ask yourself what you’re trying
to illustrate - is it necessary to
include the whole subject?
 make sure what you’re filling
your frame with has purpose,
otherwise it’s just a distraction.
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Frame your subject
Framing
 is using natural or man-made objects
within the photo itself as a frame
 enhances the overall result of a photo
 draws attention to the subject
Lines …
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“Leading Lines” - can be used to lead the eye to
the point of interest and prevent the eye from
wandering. Lines can put emphasis on distance
or illustrate a relationship to foreground and
background elements. Keep in mind that using
lines incorrectly can have the opposite effect and
lead the eye away from the point of interest.
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If a line begins at the centre or edge of your
photo it can split the photo in half
vertical lines
horizontal lines
Diagonal lines:
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suggest action, stimulation
and depth.
help draw the eye through
the photo.
best to present them from the bottom left of the
photo to the top right (eyes naturally scan from
left to right.
A leading line from the corner has a more
impressive outcome and stronger composition.
But try positioning your diagonal lines to begin
slightly above or below the corner of the photo
or photo will look split.
Curved Lines or S Curves
 Curved lines or S curves suggest
sensuality, elegance and a serene
sense of balance.
 S curves don’t necessarily need
to be S-shaped; any form of a
winding line can be used. Some examples
include rivers, streams, paths and even
the human body.
Converging lines
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add a certain flow or depth to your photograph.
add a sense of distance or scale.
Some examples of converging lines are power
lines, stairways and the infamous railroad tracks.
Our eyes are naturally drawn to where
intersecting lines connect. To create a stronger
impact and visual interest, it’s best to position
your subject near converging
lines. However, sometimes
converging lines are point of
interest in itself and there is
no need for additional
subjects.
Although the use of lines is a very effective
means of composition, it isn’t necessarily a
technique that will come easily to a
beginner. As with any form of composition,
you’ll have greater success when you
couple your knowledge with a creative eye
and lots of practise.
Rule of Thirds
Achieve the best results
producing a more aesthetically
pleasing photo.
 Place your subject(s) or areas
of interest along or near the
intersecting parts of the grid.
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Bad and good example
Master your photography skills by
practising!
Above all, take loads of pictures and
practise, practise, practise!
Criteria for YRE photo entries must:
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Be taken and taken in high resolution
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Be close up shots using flash outside to minimise glare
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Be in focus and ideally not framed
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Be action based and well angled (interesting) – be at eye
level, get on the floor, be creative and create room for
movement
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Only include a child or children if permissions are given
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Accompany with a short description (the 5 W’s)
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Shared
The photo should be of good quality. A
short text (150 words max.) must explain
the link between the photo and sustainable
development.
Can be just one photo or a series/story of up
to 12 pictures