Photo ABCs

Z is for Zoo!

Many photographers run out of photo ideas after a while, or get into a creative rut. For these times, I recommend the zoo!

The zoo offers an incredible opportunity to practice all of your photographic skills, with subject matter from around the world! You can practice your long lens technique before you spend $5000 on that African safari and get used to your tripod or monopod before you're in the Canadian rockies with the last rays of the sun illuminating that moose.

If you return to your local zoo often, you will learn when and where the lighting is best and when the animals are at their best. At the San Diego Zoo, the late afternoon light is wonderful on Horn and Hoof Mesa. I shot this antelope a number of years ago, before they were moved to the Wild Animal Park. I exposed for the animal, and positioned myself so the background would be in shadow, giving dramatic lighting to the scene.

You belong in the zoo!

Y Is For Yellow!

When viewing my photographs, people often remark on how colorful they are. There's a way to get color into your photographs: look for it! Become aware of the power of the color red in your photos. If red is not available, yellow will do fine.

Here is a photo taken near Ensenada, Baja California. I placed the yellow fish in the center of attention (but not the center of the photograph), because it is a much stronger color than the others found in this photo.

Naturally, photography is about more than just finding ways to make colors jump out at you, (or about any of the tips in this blog), but it doesn't hurt to spice up your photos with a dash of color!

W is for Whole Picture

Most of my photographs have direct compositions, with few distractions. Most poor photographs suffer from distracting elements (clutter!)

Studying the masters of photography, however, like Cartier Bresson, or the grandmasters of painting (take your pick!) has taught me that often the most interesting photographs or artwork tell a visual story, and lead the eye through the work. I have learned to try to be aware of the larger picture even while concentrating on the details. In photojournalism or cinema classes, they stress the importance of an establishing shot, before mid-range and close-up shots.

I visited Ensenada during Day-of-the-Dead and was fortunate to photograph these lovely girls. This shot is a pleasing portrait:

I noticed there was more going on than just the two girls, though. Changing my zoom setting to wide angle, I captured more of the scene. I think this tells a much more interesting story.

I decided that a sepia-toned, highly desaturated image with a heavy vignette captured the feel that I was aiming for. (all easy steps in Photoshop!)

V is for Viewpoint

For more interesting shots, it often helps to change your viewpoint. Most photos are taken from eye level. Next time you shoot, try finding a high vantage point and look down, or a low vantage point and look up. I often wear out the knee of my jeans because I frequently shoot from a tripod and lower it to three feet off the ground. Here I used a 12 mm lens (18 mm equivalent) and placed the camera touching the grave marker. Fortunately with digital you can immediately tell if you've included all of your subject.

Grave, Valle de Guadalupe, Baja California: