Submitted by Mica K on Thu, 09/11/2008 - 19:49.
5 easy tips revealed by a Pinay pro
A picture is worth a thousand words, as the famous saying goes. It creates a mood - makes you laugh 'til it hurts, moves you to tears or just gets you to say, awwww. That is, if the photo looks good.
These days, everyone’s got a blog, and a blog must have some pictures. If your shots are out of focus or badly composed such as the ever-classic lamp post sticking out of lola’s head, you just might have to be aware of a few photo tips.
We’ve tracked down April Son, a professional photographer who used to live in the Philippines but now calls Canada her home. She’s been one of the most sought after commercial photographers for such products as Kissa Papaya and Plains & Prints and has taken pictures of some of the most beautiful Filipinas to date.
Since our site, ProudlyFilipina.com, encourages members to include photos with their blog posts and comments, we asked April to reveal her five tips to better shots. Here they are:
- When photographing people portraits, try not to use a busy background. Opt for a plain one because it emphasizes your subjects. A busy background can be distracting.
- Do not think that flash is only for use indoors. Use flash outdoors to fill those harsh shadows.
- Try to experiment with your composition by placing your subject off-center. This adds drama. Most pictures are shot with the subject in the center.
- Direct your shots. Don't be a passive photographer. Talk to your subjects and watch their personalities come alive!
- Try shooting at different angles. Go down to your subject's eye level or try taking shots from on top of a table.
For more information on April Son, please visit her site at April Son Photography. She can also do wonders with your old photographs! Check them out here at Photo Rescue.
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Comments
The mysterious head growth
One mistake people usually make is when they take a picture and their subject has a tree, plant or lamp growing out of their head.
The second best thing to do with these photo tips...
...is to give it to people who
take your pictures. I'm giving these tips to hubby dearest so I don't
have to always be dead center in photos.
Years ago, I was traveling with a group for 31 days. Two elderly
ladies took turns taking pictures with an instamatic camera. It was on
day 30 when one of them said, "You know what, there's something wrong
with your instamatic camera," she said as she was getting ready to take
a picture. "Every time I look into the camera, I see a very, very tiny
image of you..." sabay click then the flash went off! She was blinded
for a few minutes. Turns out that during the entire trip, this lady was
unknowingly taking photos of her eye.
So, make sure you give this list to other members of the family so that you also get memorable pictures of yourself!
Mica K
More photo tips and experiences.
I was laughing when I read about the camera and the eye LOL!
I always feel so bad after trips when all the photos I take are nice except those with me in the photos :(
Usually you are in a hurry naman to give lessons to the one taking the photo. Its best when you look at the camera yourself and teach the one taking the photo how to shoot but alas its not practical during hectic trips.
Some people would take pictures from head to toe or so far away that you can hardly see the people when developed or on the computer screen.
When wanting to take your photo against a tall bldg or monument its best that the subject or you go farther away and the photographer is just a few feet away from you, taking your photo at half body. You will then be able to get a better photo of yourself with the important monument.
I also would go for tighter shots, meaning remove unecessary scenes when composing the subject. Some people would include the whole spectrum and sometimes you wonder where the subject is LOL
I am sure some of you here have more tips esp on travel photography or even taking photos of babies or children?
Model
Do you think April can make us look like a model? No wonder why the stars looked so unblemished and almost perfect. Must be the talented photographer and a touch of high tech.
The rule of thirds in composition
Thanks for the tips april! I grew up with cameras and photos all around me. My first teacher was my dad. No professional lessons from him but I guess I learned composition. I didnt even know what you call it then but when I decided one day to take formal lessons they called it "rule of thirds".
I will always love photography, as a picture says a thousand words but I had to quit the hobby as it became too expensive! :) Well those were the days when you had to develop using a dark room. Now its the tech age and you don't even need to develop them just have a flash drive handy and lots of hard disk space :)
Love those photos of yours hope you can share more of them.
Very timely tips!
I constantly need to remind myself to take pictures that others will enjoy. Remember when we were tortured to look at photo albums of relatives? I don't want my relatives or friends rolling their eyeballs when they see my pictures!
Practice makes perfect! I'm going to have my camera by my side so I can shoot anything that fancies me. When I grow up, I want to be like April Son! lol
Ayan, girls, pagandahan ng pictures! No more excuses, we have these tips!