Shoot portrait or landscape format?

One of the first decisions we make as photographers when taking a picture is to shot in portrait or landscape format. Portrait versus landscape depends much on the scene and photographic motif. The right choice of format should add to an image, rather than detract from the picture. Most photographs are taken in landscape format.

A horizontal picture usually appears calmer and allows the viewer to explore the motif and photograph, as the eye naturally wanders from left to right in accordance with people’s reading ability in the western hemisphere. The horizontal photo appears more natural to the human eye, which comprehends wider easier than higher.

Dodging waves at Oldshoremore, Scotland

Oldshoremore Scotland is one of my favourite spots on the west coast of Scotland – a wonderfully remote and impressive beach. A huge sweep of sand curves to a fine-shaped rocky headland jutting out at one end, sawn off by the waves to form a small but dramatic cliff at the tip. All the ingredients for some great images, but, although I have visited many times I have failed to do the place justice.

Recently I was over west on a commission, shooting geological locations in the north-west Highlands. On finishing the final site, cloud was marching in from the east but there was enough of a gap on the western horizon to make dramatic late afternoon light a possibility. A chance to try for Oldshoremore Scotland again.

On arriving I wasn’t disappointed – low winter sunshine and huge Atlantic waves breaking on the bay leaving fascinating foam patterns where they finally came to a halt. As I wandered about trying out different ideas the sun sank behind the small cliffs on the headland and left a wonderful afterglow lingering for some time. After quite a bit of wave-dodging I headed for the car as the final colour faded to blue.

Here are a few of the highlights from a fantastic winter afternoon in the north-west Highlands:

Colour on a dull day – Photography

Colour on a dull day – Whilst most photographers loathe poor weather there are still pictures to be found even on the greyest of day.

Colour is the most powerful and emotive of all the photographic elements. It can grab our attention, and can turn a mundane subject into a winning photograph. Usually colour looks its strongest when lit with frontal lighting but with some subjects this approach creates pictures where the colour is just too strong. Certain colours, particularly reds, yellows, oranges and pinks, can dominate a composition drawing the eye into the picture. To do this with subtlety you need to use indirect lighting such as that found on an overcast day. The diffused lighting will tend to soften the brilliant hues slightly. It can also be an approach that can help to control some of the more garish colour combinations that you find on your travels and will give you a theme to follow on those drab days of your vacation.

Patterns

Once you start looking, you will find patterns everywhere you go – the challenge to the photographer is to find a way to show them on an image.

From the leaves on tree’s to the bricks in a wall, we are surrounded by repeated shapes wherever we go. But because pattern is everywhere, we tend not to notice it readily however, by choosing an unusual camera angle, a photograph can emphasise this repetition and symmetry. Often the answer is to zoom in, or move in, close, so that the pattern fills the frame isolating it from its surroundings.

A high or low camera angle can also be useful, as it can show things from a viewpoint that the human eye is not used to. It is also worth trying to photograph the pattern from oblique angles with wider lens settings, so that you create some variation in size amongst the identical shapes the ones nearer the camera appearing much larger than those which are further away.

Reflections

Water not only helps create a double image of your subject it can frequently provide you with an original view of a well-known landmark.

A stretch of water is always worth hunting out as a foreground for your photographs. The surface of a lake, river, pond, or even puddle, will create its own image of the subject in front of you. If the surface of the water is perfectly still, the reflection is a perfect copy of your subject. A rippled surface, on the other hand, creates a distorted, or abstract, view of the scene. Either way, the reflection gives you an alternative view of the subject.

There are two approaches to photographing reflections. You can aim to include both subject and its mirror image creating a feeling of harmony that suits some subjects well. However, the perfectly balanced design can be too symmetrical on other occasions. The other approach is to photograph the reflection alone. This creates a more mysterious view of the subject – particularly if the surface of the water is not completely flat. When presenting these shots, you have the option of showing the picture as you shot it – or being more devious by turning the composition upside-down.

Paul has been writing articles for several years. Check out his website on Photography which gives help and advice on all types of photography such as Black White Photography Tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_O._Scott

Bride’s Guide to Better Wedding Photos

Bride’s Guide to Better Wedding Photos by guest author Mark Parker

I’m sure you already know that choosing the right wedding photographer is more important as choosing the right groom. Just kidding. Getting the right photographer is important, but there are lots of things that YOU can do to ensure that your wedding photos are as good as they can be.

1.  Pre-Wedding Photo shoot
Having a pre-wedding photo shoot can improve your wedding pictures more than anything else you might do. Think about it, your photographer is VERY comfortable on his end of the camera. The time you spend with your photographer in front of the camera will help you become more comfortable being the subject.

Try to get to know your photographer. Have fun. Be crazy. Let’s face it; those “magazine bride photos” that you have been looking at do not happen all by themselves. They are well planned, rehearsed, and the photo that you finally see in the magazine was probably picked from hundreds of photos.

The more time you spend with your photographer, the more likely it is that he will capture that one special moment that only happens once.

2.  The Pose
“Chin up, a little to the left, shoulders back, stand on one foot, hold your breath…hang on, don’t move.” Any photographer worth his salt should be able to pose you in an elegant and attractive position.

Do you know the reason for all these the contortions?
- By lifting your chin you banish the double chin.
- Holding your elbows away from your body reduces the apparent width of your torso and accentuates the bosom.
- Shifting your weight to your rear foot cocks your hips into a position that gives you a sexy curviness.

There are many other little tricks your photographer may teach you. Just listen and he will not lead you astray.

3.  Hair and Makeup
Your wedding day is not the right time to experiment with makeup and hairstyles. Be sure to plan a separate day to have a hair and makeup “dress rehearsal”.

If you plan to wear a headpiece, use this time to make sure that it will fit with your hairstyle. If you plan it right, your photographer may be available to take some formals on this day too.

4.  Props
Give your photographer the tools he needs to be creative. When ordering flowers for the wedding, be sure to order an extra single rose, boutonniere, ribbon or other inexpensive items that the photographer can use in your photos.

Don’t forget to have a copy of your wedding invitation that he can incorporate into the detail shots of your big day. Photos of wedding rings with flowers, invitation, maybe even your shoes and garter can really add to your album.

5.  The Bouquet
How should you hold a bouquet? In a single word… DOWN!! Never hide your thousand dollar dress with a hundred dollar bouquet. If you’re a five foot bride, do not order a 3 foot cascading bouquet.

It’s going to be a long day. By the end of the day, you will be wishing that your bouquet was smaller, lighter, more durable, and maybe even artificial. And if it’s too big you may even injure your guests during the bouquet toss!

6.  Backgrounds and angles
Remember, your wedding day is all about you. Many times complicated backgrounds in your photos distract the viewer’s attention away from the bride. Keep backgrounds as simple as possible.

Interesting angles are what keeps the images of a professional photographer from looking like the images of “Uncle Joe”. Everyone knows what a wedding looks like from 5 feet 6. You may see your photographer lying on the ground or climbing trees. Don’t laugh at him. That’s why he gets paid.

7.  Lighting
When choosing your venue and time of day, keep lighting in mind. If your wedding is outdoors, the best light happens 1-2 hours before sunset.

If your wedding is indoors, try to avoid buildings with high dark ceilings and few windows. Since natural light will look much better in your photos, try to plan your wedding when the room will be the brightest. By the way, photographers hate fluorescent lights. They make you look green.

8.  Single Use Cameras
Lots of people use them and they seldom work. You may get a few good wedding photos here and there but don’t expect too much.

You’ll probably get a whole camera full of photos of Cousin Pete’s girlfriend that you hardly know. Your three year old niece will probably take a lot of pictures of people’s belly buttons. And if anyone gets tipsy at the reception you may get a lot of photos of the ground, shoes, or eyeballs (from holding the camera backwards). Your photography is best left to professionals.

Well that’s it for “The Brides Guide to Better Wedding Photos”. Congratulations on your big day. Now let’s make those memories last!

About the author:
Mark Parker is a Birmingham Alabama Wedding Photographer. His work can be seen at http://www.marksbrides.com