MEADOWDALE RULES TO GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS!

what sets us apart…

What makes a great photograph?⦿ National Geographic photographers say:

● Focus is sharp● Good Composition (how the picture is put together)● A picture that “says something”

William Albert Allard

What does London and Upton say?⦿ Get Close!⦿ Avoid lines intersecting subject⦿ Compose subject so background details

don’t detract from main subject⦿ Experiment with lighting and different

angles⦿ Change point of view⦿ Shoot a lot!

⦿ Best times of day:● Morning● Early evening

⦿ Look for how light and shadow enhances your subject, creating contrast

⦿ Interiors: Use window light or control intensity and direction of artificial light

Horst P Horst

Michael Kenna

Perspective⦿ Ask yourself: “would

this look better from a different angle?”

⦿ Find “leading lines”⦿ Shoot from the hip⦿ Be creative!

Horst Hamman

Fill the Frame⦿ Get up close!

Man RayBill Brandt

Keep it Simple!⦿ Simplicity draws attention

Mel Curtis Ralph Gibson

Michael Kenna

Rule of thirds

⦿ Avoid Bulls eye!

Vertical vs. Horizontal

⦿ When first starting out: Shoot with vertical composition more often than horizontal

⦿ Why?

Natural “Framing”

⦿ How do foreground and background objects visually play or frame center of interest?

Use Elements of Design

⦿ Look for:● Lines that lead your eye

into the photograph● Single object shapes that

draw attention, or multiple shapes creating a pattern

● Symmetrical or Asymmetrical Balance

● Contrasts that draw attention to subject

Arthur Rothstein

Paul Caponigro

Roy Clark

Hiromu Kria

Narrative⦿ When interpreting a subject, good

composition can convey a mood or feeling, or even tell a story

⦿ Make your images “say something”

Danny Lyons