More intuitive composition with eye-focus of mirrorless cameras
Continuing on a topic we have discussed here before: a strong advantage that mirrorless cameras have over DSLRs – how Eye-focus makes Composition more intuitive. When I reviewed the sequence of images while photographing a wedding recently, where the bridesmaids were helping to lace up the bride's corset, the composition immediately stood out for me -- all the elements just came together. A bit of luck ... and being ready.
The composition really hangs together, because the bridesmaid in the center is framed by all the Read more inside...
Photography composition: Tilted horizons in photographs
A disconcerting angle perhaps with this photograph's composition - still, there is a dynamic balance of sorts. Because Anelisa is 'upright' / vertical in the photo, it matches our sense that vertical and horizontal lines should be just that. Still, everything else is at a dizzying angle. While the horizon is at a slant, I placed her vertically in the composition, which hopefully creates a balance when we look at the photo.
I am not particularly fond of tilted horizons or tilted photos (also known as the "Dutch angle" or Read more inside...
Simplifying composition with a fast telephoto zoom
If you can create a good photograph out of seemingly "nowhere", then you can bring a variety to your images that is out of the league of photographers who have to rely on picture-perfect scenery. This is especially true with wedding portraits. We're under pressure for time, and on top of that we can't always control where we shoot. We have to make it work wherever we are.
One of the basic techniques I rely on heavily with my wedding photography, is to eliminate distracting elements by shooting with a fast telephoto zoom. The Read more inside...
eliminate & simplify - the first steps in photography composition
These two images were taken from more or less the same spot.
All that changed was my vantage point, and my choice of lens.
This vibrant park in Manhattan seemed like an interesting place to photograph, but when photographing a couple, I really want the accent to be on them. The best way to do this is to frame them so that the background is as simple as possible, but still complements the final photograph. I had the couple sit on top of this grassy mound, and I lay down on the grass, and framed them tightly Read more inside...
photographic composition - finding and framing your best shot
Strolling through Green Park in London, I saw these rows of winter-barren trees. The way the snow clung to the trees and branches from the morning's snow storm, white against dark brown, gave a posterized effect already - the crazy patterns of the branches starkly etched against the white snow.
I took several photographs, finally liking this photo above the most of all. Aside from resizing, it is straight out of camera ... my iPhone 4. And therein was a lesson for me that I mulled over the rest of the day, while further Read more inside...
composition: finding the perfect background for photographs
Photographers and clients alike regularly comment on this photograph in my portfolio, and the question invariably asked is whether this is a Photoshop effect. Far from it - this image is straight out of the camera ... Read more inside...
I am not a huge fan of tilted images, and I see it as an unfortunate visual 'tic' when I notice entire wedding galleries by other photographers where pretty much all the images are tilted at a very specific angle. That just means that little thought went into composition, and that composition and holding the camera has become a reflex action .. which just happens to include a 30' tilt to the camera. There is a rationale though behind tilted compositions / the Dutch angle - the balance of the photo.
I tend to keep horizontal and vertical lines Read more inside...
