Digital Photography Workshop

Sunnybrae Normal School15th May 2007

A 21st Century baby is born!

All great pictures are well composed.

There is a balance.

Here are a few tips to help you take better pictures.

Learn the Rule of Thirds

This... not this

Avoid placing your subject in the centre

• Divide the view into thirds, horizontally and vertically

• Place the subject where the lines intersect, instead of in the centre of the frame

Not this...

Rather this

Make the eyes the focal point

If you can’t get the subject on the intersection, put it on one of the line of thirds.

The more intersections or lines you can target, the better.

Look for elements that lead the eyes through the photo

Give space in the background to walk or look into

Rather this ...Not this...

Pay attention to framing• Nothing ruins a photo faster than distracting

elements in the background.

• Look all around the edges of the frame

Not this But this

In bright sunlight• Use flash to light the faces

Not this

But this

Try focussing off centre - master the two step shutter

• Move the camera so the focussed image is on the side

• Use the first click to focus and hold it down

Action Shot• Predict the action

• Focus on where the action will take place

Try framing your photo with the foreground

Try getting in close (using macro mode)

• Don’t use flash

• Don’t use zoom

Vary your line of sight

Try a snail or bird’s eye view

Use interesting angles

Look for patterns

in nature...

... and man made

You can use your camera as a colour photocopier

• Prop the page at a 450 angle

• Hold the camera directly out from the page. Watch for glare.

Most of allhave fun catching the moment

Photos by Cathy O’Hanlon