Photography is like life – but concentrated!

Apr 16, 2012 by Deborah

Photography. Recently I photographed a wedding: my Sister Inlaw’s.

Photography is a love of mine because it’s capturing a moment.

The story can change drastically just depending on what is included in the shot & how it’s framed. I studied photography long ago when a mentor shared :”Deb, your paintings are only as good as your reference. And even then, they have to go beyond.” Desiring to paint really strong art, I immersed myself knowing I’d come out knowing photography, & have a solid foundation on how to tell the story.

Animal photography is a real treat. For one thing, animals are so different from humans in that everything captured is just sheer honesty…they’re not self-conscience, they just are. It’s harder to catch that unguarded, raw honesty in human photography.

Some are very self-conscience in photos, and that story will be recorded! The job of a photographer is to eliminate that aspect. Whether it’s helping your subject feel more comfortable with themselves, or even you.

The best photography I have come to experience is where the subject isn’t thinking about their picture being taken at all.

They may not even be aware of it, or whatever it is they’re doing while being photographed has commanded their attention as priority. They’re completely “home”. It is here the natural, honest story will be caught on camera.

One trick I enjoy doing while doing photography is to almost disappear into the background. As my father noted I work with the elements around me, find the story within it. Taking photographs as a friendly observer keeps your subject unguarded, less tense. The worst photography is the kind that feels staged; forced. Unfortunately, many events one photographs have enough tension in them, & the added photographer may not be helping the situation. It is what it is. Some things one won’t have control over. You can’t completely change one who is not comfortable in front of a camera, whose body language screams “I don’t like my photo taken!” But you can fall back, & get them when they aren’t aware, or even photograph them near a close friend or sibling. You’ll notice the body language shift because they’re more comfortable. It’s good to have a decent lens for these types of shots so you can photograph them several feet away.

Framing your subject for great photography – keep playing, study & study more!

As you study photography, you’ll come to know the rule of 3rds as a best friend. Interest and variety in photography are key, we gravitate towards imagery that is non symmetrical. One doesn’t want their subject centered all the time, it can be static and boring. One actually makes their subject more important doing reverse when opportunity lets you.

It’s much like going back to design class, working with positive and negative spaces. Lots to have rolling in your head while shooting, just experiment and remember why you’re photographing in the first place: What’s the goal? In the end, keep the rules in mind, know the rules to break them – but always get the story! Don’t you agree?