WWW.PHOTOBLAZR.COM

How to make strong photographs

Objective of today’s session?

Understand how to think like a photographer

Start taking photographs and not snapshots

First Important Question of the day

What makes a strong photograph?

Captures the interest of the viewer

Communicates or shares a message

© Chris Hondros / 2008 Getty Images

Composed effectively

© Steve McCurry

Second Important Question of the Day

Q: How can YOU make strong photographs?

A: Think like a photographer when you shoot

How does one think like a photographer?

Before you click the shutter, ask yourself:

Is this an effective composition?

Does it capture interest?

Does it communicate what I want it to?

Composition techniques for a strong photograph

‘Rule of Thirds’

Fill the frame

Use an original point of view

Catch the moment

Composition techniques for a strong photograph

Rule of Thirds

Imagine two lines dividing the photo into equal sections

Position the subject on one of these lines

© Deshan Tennekoon

Rule of Thirds

© Deshan Tennekoon

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Creates:

Tension

Energy

Interest

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Rule of Thirds

Focus first

Recompose

1. Half-Press the shutter to lock focus

Half-Press Focus

Half-Press Focus

2. Hold shutter and recompose

Half-Press Focus

3. Push the shutter down all the way gently

Half-Press Focus

Step 1: Point at subject and half-press to focus

Step 1: Point at subject and half-press to focus

Step 2: Hold button and recompose

Step 3: Squeeze shutter

Half-Press Focus

Composition techniques for a strong photograph

‘Rule of Thirds’

Fill the frame

Use an original point of view

Catch the moment

Fill the frame

Only keep the elements that ADD to your picture

Remember the environment can add to your picture

Crop the photo later to fill it if you need to

Fill the frame

© Steve McCurry

Only keep elements that add to the picture

Fill the frame

Here the environment adds to the picture

Fill the frameCrop the photo later to fill up the frame

Composition techniques for a strong photograph

‘Rule of Thirds’

Fill the frame

Use an original point of view

Catch the moment

Point of view

Don’t take the same picture everyone else has

Point of view

Point of view

Point of viewIs there a more interesting way to tell the same story?

Is there a more interesting way to tell the same story?

Point of view

Point of viewIs there a more interesting way to tell the same story?

Composition techniques for a strong photograph

‘Rule of Thirds’

Fill the frame

Use an original point of view

Catch the moment

Catch the moment

© Henri Cartier-Bresson

© Jodi Cobb

Catch the moment

Catch the moment

Anticipate the action - Keep both eyes open

Pre-focus the camera (Half-press technique)

Patience!

© Sasi Shanmugarajah

Catch the moment

Catch the moment

Composition techniques for a strong photograph

‘Rule of Thirds’

Fill the frame

Use an original point of view

Catch the moment

Take-away message

Think about these guide-lines every time you take a photo