Get Closer-Get Lower-Get Higher
ByBeginner’s Photography Tip #1 Get Closer-Get Lower-Get Higher
Most people I observe stand too far away from the subject they are photographing. I am sure that is because they do not want to call attention to themselves; they want to snap a fast picture and not be noticed or be in the way. But I say, “Get closer to your subject!”
Taking a moment to get closer and not have so much distracting background improves an image greatly. Cropping in post production later is okay to a point but I am for doing it right the first time in the camera. Over cropping degrades the image quality by only using a small part of a file.
Living Statue in Las Vegas
Speaking of getting right in there. I was in Las Vegas March 09 and found a crowd of people watching and taking pictures of three living statues. These beautiful girls were clothed and painted in one color and looked like real statues only they moved just a little bit just once in a while. Similar to the English guard, they will not even move to accept a tip or compliment. I carefully worked myself into the center of the crowd and took a photograph, well, okay, lots of photographs. After a few minutes I realized that the crowd had opened up for me and I had all the elbow room I wanted. I must ooze “professional – make way.”
Getting up on a ladder works!
Try not shooting everything at your standing level. Add interest to your images by getting lower and shoot at kid level. I squat, kneel and lay on my stomach. All of which is getting harder at 40 something! As shown in the example on the right, I often get on a ladder and shoot down on someone by two feet or. Lay someone on the ground and shoot almost straight down on them, that is fun too!
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Barb Gordon, M.Photog., CR, CPP, is a nationally published and award winning photographer, entrepreneur, speaker, and author. She has been locally honored by YWCA Tribute to Women of Achievement 2001 and Advanced Entrepreneur of the Year 2003. Barb owns Gordon Photography & Gallery in Marion, Iowa specializing in customized portrait art. Learn more at www.BarbGordonPhotoCoach.com
