Thanks for the links, Ben! Photography is not my strong suit so it was nice to get some tips although I'll admit that I didn't fully understand some of the terms like "f stop" and "fill cards." In the first article, it was great to read that auto focus is generally a good setting that can result in high-quality photographs. I've always thought that getting "magazine quality" photos probably involved a lot of detailed camera settings. There was a lot of importance placed on lighting in the article, which I completely agree with! Lighting can make or break a photograph. I actually have a Nikon D5100 and the tips on how to do selective focus have motivated me to try it out again. I've tried many times and it never seems to turn out the way I want it to. The second article provided some good photography tips that didn't involve camera settings. There were three that stuck out to me. First, I like the "organize bodies" tip. Photographers shouldn't be afraid to place people where they want them. That goes along with the "take command" tip. Second, I loved the tip of trying a different angle. I think that's really important! Photos all taken from the same angle are boring and provide no variety. Finally, of course, "make it fun" was a great tip! A photo session should be enjoyable for both the photographer and the subjects.
The first article was very helpful as I'm not very experienced when it comes to photography, but I'm gaining some good hands on experience while interning with Gene and taking action shots for different sporting events on campus. I often just try to use the auto focus for good high quality imagery but in my experience you might have to take several pictures of the same object before the camera focuses on said object appropriately. Sometimes because of this I end up with a number of photos that look very artistic and give off "The Bokeh Effect" I come across this often with taking action shots for particular sports as you end up with a high quality action shot in the foreground and a blurry crowd in the background. The lighting tips were of most use though because I know nothing about it. I just know that if the lighting isn't perfect that can be the difference between your portfolio and the trash can.
The second article was useful because you have more control than you think you have. You do not simply have to work with what you've got, you can arrange, re-arrange and construct your composition as you see fit to get your perfect image. I particularly like the "try a different angle" tip as it is always eye-catching to see a normal image from a not so normal angle. One example I remember the KU athletics photographer gave to me in a class discussion some years ago was taking a photo from the floor looking up during a team huddle. Don;t quote me on it but I recall him saying that that picture won him a photography award that year.
Thanks for sharing the links for your topic. As a person who does not do photography very well, this was helpful. The Centsational Girl blog enlightened me as to how SELF magazine, one of my favorites, takes such amazing photos of fruit. You can see the texture and color so well because of the particular settings the artist selected on their camera. The use of mirrors and different kinds of lights was really cool too. Has anyone had any luck with this before? What did you use? I loved loved loved the Nat Geo article about Jim Richardon's tips. "Play the Maestro" was cute and the last tip about snapping one has everyone disbands was hilarious. I know how often I genuinely smile following a posed photo because the pressure is off. Taking posed group photos seems much more my thing than trying to adjust shutter settings as a football player smashes across the line of scrimmage. But that's just me. Has anyone in our class tried any of these things? Or in past classes?
Thanks for the links, Ben! It was really nice being both reminded of terms I already knew as well as learning new ones! As a practiced photographer, it's reassuring to see that it's not a handful of major settings for a magazine qualified photograph.
Now, I don't have a "top of the line" camera, but with my small Sony DSC I've managed to pinpoint my shutter speed practice with student athletes out on the football field and the basketball court. I feel exceptionally grateful learning how to maintain my settings with an older camera because it's just that much more work and accomplishments in comparison to a new camera that automatically sets the camera for you once you switch to that setting - but that's just me.
I'm really looking forwards to your presentation, Ben. :)
Thanks for the links, Ben! Photography is not my strong suit so it was nice to get some tips although I'll admit that I didn't fully understand some of the terms like "f stop" and "fill cards." In the first article, it was great to read that auto focus is generally a good setting that can result in high-quality photographs. I've always thought that getting "magazine quality" photos probably involved a lot of detailed camera settings. There was a lot of importance placed on lighting in the article, which I completely agree with! Lighting can make or break a photograph. I actually have a Nikon D5100 and the tips on how to do selective focus have motivated me to try it out again. I've tried many times and it never seems to turn out the way I want it to. The second article provided some good photography tips that didn't involve camera settings. There were three that stuck out to me. First, I like the "organize bodies" tip. Photographers shouldn't be afraid to place people where they want them. That goes along with the "take command" tip. Second, I loved the tip of trying a different angle. I think that's really important! Photos all taken from the same angle are boring and provide no variety. Finally, of course, "make it fun" was a great tip! A photo session should be enjoyable for both the photographer and the subjects.
ReplyDeleteThe first article was very helpful as I'm not very experienced when it comes to photography, but I'm gaining some good hands on experience while interning with Gene and taking action shots for different sporting events on campus. I often just try to use the auto focus for good high quality imagery but in my experience you might have to take several pictures of the same object before the camera focuses on said object appropriately. Sometimes because of this I end up with a number of photos that look very artistic and give off "The Bokeh Effect" I come across this often with taking action shots for particular sports as you end up with a high quality action shot in the foreground and a blurry crowd in the background. The lighting tips were of most use though because I know nothing about it. I just know that if the lighting isn't perfect that can be the difference between your portfolio and the trash can.
ReplyDeleteThe second article was useful because you have more control than you think you have. You do not simply have to work with what you've got, you can arrange, re-arrange and construct your composition as you see fit to get your perfect image. I particularly like the "try a different angle" tip as it is always eye-catching to see a normal image from a not so normal angle. One example I remember the KU athletics photographer gave to me in a class discussion some years ago was taking a photo from the floor looking up during a team huddle. Don;t quote me on it but I recall him saying that that picture won him a photography award that year.
Ben,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the links for your topic. As a person who does not do photography very well, this was helpful.
The Centsational Girl blog enlightened me as to how SELF magazine, one of my favorites, takes such amazing photos of fruit. You can see the texture and color so well because of the particular settings the artist selected on their camera. The use of mirrors and different kinds of lights was really cool too. Has anyone had any luck with this before? What did you use?
I loved loved loved the Nat Geo article about Jim Richardon's tips. "Play the Maestro" was cute and the last tip about snapping one has everyone disbands was hilarious. I know how often I genuinely smile following a posed photo because the pressure is off. Taking posed group photos seems much more my thing than trying to adjust shutter settings as a football player smashes across the line of scrimmage. But that's just me. Has anyone in our class tried any of these things? Or in past classes?
Thanks for the links, Ben! It was really nice being both reminded of terms I already knew as well as learning new ones! As a practiced photographer, it's reassuring to see that it's not a handful of major settings for a magazine qualified photograph.
ReplyDeleteNow, I don't have a "top of the line" camera, but with my small Sony DSC I've managed to pinpoint my shutter speed practice with student athletes out on the football field and the basketball court. I feel exceptionally grateful learning how to maintain my settings with an older camera because it's just that much more work and accomplishments in comparison to a new camera that automatically sets the camera for you once you switch to that setting - but that's just me.
I'm really looking forwards to your presentation, Ben. :)