Photo ABCs

K.I.S.S.

In a previous post I referred to Danny Goldfield's pictures as simple. This was a compliment! Most people have heard the expression Keep It Simple Stupid! Many photographs work best when the subject is simple and uncluttered from distracting elements. There's an old saying that a painter takes a blank canvas and adds to it until there is a painting, but a photographer takes a scene and keeps subtracting elements until there is a photograph.

The lily pond in San Diego's Balboa Park is a favorite photography subject, and for good reason. Here's one attempt I made at a photo.

When taking the picture, I concentrated on the nice arrangement of the three lilies. I didn't see the fourth lily behind, cluttering the picture, or the fifth one on the right edge, or the duck!

On another occasion, I was able to isolate one lily, and moved until the reflection of a nearby building at sunset gave the water a golden glow. Simpler, better.

J is for Juxtaposition

It's always interesting to place two complementary or contrasting elements together in a picture. Here I found a bridge in Haikou, China, which looked down on a sidewalk with colorful, geometric tiles. I thought that if I waited, a picture might present itself. After a time, a young woman in modern dress passed a peasant woman with her sharply contrasting look. (H is for Heights!, D is for Diagonal! C is for Color!)

I is for Idea (cont.)

Danny Goldfield, of the NYChildren project, saw Friday's post and graciously sent me a photo to share. Check out his photos, the result of a simple, powerful, and artistic vision, which show the power of an idea.

photo courtesy and ©Danny Goldfield

I is for Idea

The tips in this blog are based on the premise that simple, learned techniques can make for more interesting photos. But one must never lose sight of the fact that the most powerful, important factor in making a good photo, (and the most difficult!), is the idea behind the photo. Without an idea behind a photo, it is just a pretty picture. With a strong idea, it becomes a statement.

I was reminded of this when I came across a project by photographer Danny Goldfield, called the NYChildren project. His idea was to photograph one child from each country on earth, each living in New York City. His photos are simple, direct, and fascinating. His simple but powerful idea is responsible for a fascinating project.

His project also demonstrates two other things. He stated in an interview that at the time he started the project, he could not afford much equipment, so he bought a camera and one 50 mm lens. As his project continues, he still only uses the 50 mm lens. This gives a uniform look to his photos. Also, as he started the project, he had little training as a photographer, but was an art director for the film industry. I think his artistic skills are quite evident in his simple, graceful, powerful pictures. Take a look at them, you will enjoy them!

H is for Heights

A different point of view will often result in a more graphic, abstract photo. Anytime you can look down on a subject, take advantage of the different viewpoint. One of my mentors who is a travel photographer once said that whenever he arrives in a new town, he will try to go to an observation deck or roof of the highest hotel to get an aerial perspective. My friend Jim Cline often books his hotels so that his window looks down on the town square, and gets interesting pictures as a result.

At tennis tournaments, 90% of photographs are taken from the sideline. While it is easiest to get photographs from there, interesting photos can be had elsewhere. Last week I photographed Andy Roddick from the upper deck of the Indian Wells tennis stadium to get an interesting perspective, and also showing the interesting light and shadows.

To license this photograph, please visit here.

O is for Ordover!

This is my last chance to promote my show at the Ordover Gallery in Solana Beach! The show runs through Sunday, March 25. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday 10-5, and Sunday noon-5. Sunday is a great day to visit because there is a farmers market just outside the front door. You can look at flower pictures inside the gallery and step outside and buy fresh flowers at the market! Also on display are black and white landscapes of Ohio by talented photographer Will Gibson. For directions and more information, look here.

G is for Get Out and Shoot!

I bought a point-and-shoot camera a few months ago. I familiarized myself with its controls, but then did not use it for over a month. I got it out to take a picture, and had no idea how to get the settings I wanted to take a simple picture! If I go more than a few weeks without using my digital SLR, it takes a while to get back into the rhythm necessary for creative photography.

Photography is a skill just like baseball, golf, or a foreign language. You need to practice to keep up the skill, to keep up the creativity, and to keep up your portfolio! Living in San Diego, I know that I am always within 20 minutes of birds to photograph. If I haven't used my camera for a while, I'll simply get up at sunrise, (or wait until before sunset), and head to where birds will be. Even if I don't get a great shot, at least I will keep in practice, and get a nice walk in.

Here is an egret, after sunset, in Coronado. I made sure that the reflection of the pink clouds were part of the picture. (B is for Background, C is for Color, R is for Reflection!)

F is for Food! (cont.)

Here's another food shot. I am doing a project photographing Route 66, and of course, diner food is a major part of the lore of Route 66. Here, Fran Houser of the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, serves up a burger.

Remember, you are in control of your photo. Here I prepared for her arrival by making sure that all of the items with the Rt. 66 shield were visible in the foreground and background.

P is for Preparation. P is for People!

F is for Food!

Would you like to spice up your travel shots? What better way than to take pictures of your food! What evokes memories of a place more than its distinctive food?

Here is a shot of condiments at a restaurant in Ensenada, Baja California. Also remember, C is for Color, D is for Diagonal!

F is for Flowers!

If you're wondering what to shoot, with springtime approaching you should soon be able to find a ready and colorful subject with universal appeal--flowers! You can shoot flowers in any style you wish. I have been shooting flowers "up close and personal" with emphasis on color and form, with less emphasis on a literal interpretation. As always, I try to find a background which does not distract. In this case, I found yellow flowers near the red one to give more interest to the photo. It was taken after sunset, in low light, hand held, with a slow shutter speed, and I added a little motion with the camera, which gives it even more blur.

If you missed the opening of my flower photography exhibit at the Ordover Gallery in Solana Beach, this Thursday March 15 there will be another small reception, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. It's part of the Third Thursday Gallery Night on South Cedros St. in Solana Beach. Many other galleries will be open, so come on by!