Photography

K: While looking over recent photos of a completed project, we started discussing what makes a good photo. Let me first start by saying, we are judging photos on their clarity and appeal.

Over the years I have picked up some useful rules as to how to get the best shot before dragging it into Photoshop.

A: Although photoshop can work wonders, it ALWAYS helps to start off with a good photo. Personally, I suck at taking good photos, so this blog is 99% Krystal.

I also think that ANY business can apply this when showcasing their products in a catalog, an ad, a tradeshow piece or any other display. Realtors should use these tips to upgrade their glamour shots or pictures of their properties. Architects, engineers, and construction companies should apply this to any completed projects.

K: The first and most important, I believe, would be the use of angles! Really, if you have never tried switching up angles please do so now. Right now. Seriously, stop reading this blog, grab you camera and go!

>A: But, I'm in pajamas right now...I'll take your word for it.

K: What may be boring at a straight angle can become glorious with an above or below angle.

Check out my example:

Here we have a regular picture of an inanimate object, a piano. The shot is head on. Boring.

Now, let’s go to a shot that was taken overhead. Characteristics of the piano now shine through the lens. The contrast of the keys bring a new life that extends through the piano cover which acts almost like a backbone.

In this shot I wanted to put emphasis on the beauty and size of this pool table. The balls were laid out to give a focal point towards an imaginary horizon line, bringing the eye through the photograph.

This photo also brings up the rule of lines. Edges of objects or branches on a tree will never look the same when photographed from this perspective. A simple example of this rule is the bridge.A: This looks vaguely familiar...Oh, good ol' college days, having to walk across this ramp in the pouring rain after circling the parking lot across the ramp for 30 minutes trying to hunt down a space.

K: In this picture, your eyes are drawn to the end of the ramp. The fence chance acts as actual and figurative line drawing your eye to the most important part of the photo.

The last rule is framing. One thing I must stress is that you do not have to fit everything into the tiny digital screen or viewfinder of your camera! Take for example the two photos of the same dining room. Picture 1 is a straight on shot with everything in the dining room crammed into the frame. The second photo only has a partial view of the table. The cabinets and chandelier were taken out. This new picture now follows the rules of angles, lines (edge of table) and framing.

My last two examples pose two extremes. First: sometimes when you frame a shot it is best to fill up the entire frame for effect. Check out my less than an inch tall friend, Caliente Bear.

Now does he seem small to you?

A: He looks like he's jonesin' for some spicy chili.

K: My last and final advice is to experiment! This picture was taken with a long shutter speed at midnight of a mountain bike race.

Have fun looking through your cameras at a different angle.