No Title 2778
Enter the Kentucky Living 2012 Photo Contest
You see their photographs in Kentucky Living each month. You share their passion for capturing life’s significant moments with your camera.
Before you choose your favorite photos for the Kentucky Living 2012 Photo Contest, here are some tips from our favorite photographers on how to shoot your best pictures yet.
Read the instruction book for your camera �Joe Imel
“Having a sharp knife doesn’t make you a surgeon,” observes Imel. “Likewise, having a camera doesn’t make you a photographer. If you have a basic knowledge of how your camera works and why, it is easier to achieve the effect you want. The camera doesn’t know what you want it to do; it just has all these possibilities built in. It’s up to you to learn to make use of the possibilities.”
Get close �Tim Webb
“Your legs are the best zoom lens you could ever buy,” says Webb. “Most people like to hide behind the camera and want to stay back, but if you were having a conversation with someone, you wouldn’t stand back 15 feet and yell. Get a body’s length away�about 6 feet�when you are shooting, then use your lens to get closer or wider.”
Shoot a lot �David Modica
“The only way to get better is to take pictures�lots of them,” Modica says. “Digital cameras make this more affordable. Vary the composition, get tighter, get back farther, tilt the camera…just try different looks. If you have a camera that allows specific focus, then use selective focus along with front-to-back sharp focus.”
Take three to four pictures per pose or scene. You have a better chance of getting a good expression, everyone’s eyes open, or the perfect angle if you take a lot of pictures.
UNDERSTAND SHUTTER LAG That’s the time from when you press the shutter button to when the camera digitally records the picture. During this fraction of a second, hold the camera with two hands and remain still, with your elbows tucked in to your side. To avoid camera shake, you can also use a tripod. The idea is to minimize (or better yet, eliminate) camera shake and the blurriness it creates.
If it’s dark or you are in the shade outside, use your flash. It provides contrast and allows the camera to use a higher shutter speed, which also cuts down on blurriness. Many camera manufacturers do not list the shutter lag time, so test a camera before you buy.
MAKE USE OF YOUR CAMERA’S ICONS Many digital cameras have buttons showing a flower, a mountain, a person running, and a face, for example. Use these icon buttons. They tell the camera what you want to do. This is especially important when shooting action shots.
POINT-AND-SHOOT OR SLR? Don’t get caught up in buying the latest and greatest equipment. The camera is just a tool. A point-and-shoot camera (a compact camera with focus and flash typically built in) is adequate for most situations. For action photos, however, you may need a single-lens reflex (SLR) camera. Digital cameras today have much larger megapixels�that’s the number you see on digital cameras�so you can usually print larger photos. Whatever your needs, determine your price range before shopping.
SHOP CAREFULLY ONLINE If the online price is several hundred dollars lower than your local store, you may be getting only a camera body rather than the body, a lens, a battery, and strap.
UNDERSTAND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS When you post photos on popular social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, you are agreeing to their terms about how they can use your photos if they so choose. Be sure you understand and are okay with their conditions before posting anything.
MAKE A DATE WITH YOUR CAMERA Spend time just playing around with the camera and getting familiar with it. Also look at your photos to see what worked and what didn’t.
FOLLOW THE RULE OF THIRDS Imagine every image as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The four points where these lines intersect are the strongest focal points. The lines themselves are the second strongest focal points. Put important compositional elements along these lines or their intersections to create more interest.
EVERY PICTURE NEEDS A SUBJECT If you take a picture of a field of sunflowers, pick one sunflower to focus on. There may be 10,000 other sunflowers in the background or foreground, but choosing one draws the viewer in and says, “look here.” As a photographer, you are in charge: tell people where to look by choosing your subject.
Compose Take some time to decide what you are trying to capture in the photograph and compose your shots rather than “running and gunning.”
Join a photography club You’ll connect with people, pick up tips, and learn what others are doing to improve their photographs. Also check out classes on photography. You can find them through community education, Cooperative Extension, and photography stores.
What’s behind your subject? Many a photo has been ruined by having a pole or tree seeming to “grow” out of a person’s head. Watch for cluttered backgrounds.
Consider the light Early morning and late afternoon are good times to shoot. You generally don’t want to shoot outdoors at high noon unless you have to, because the light is harsh and creates deep shadows. But if you do, learn some of the tricks to shooting in direct sunlight.
Look for candid moments They often reveal more of the true personality of a person.
Look at a lot of photography Go to art fairs, gallery shows; study newspapers and magazines�anywhere you can see good professional photography. Learn to appreciate a wide variety of photography. Emulate first, then develop your style. Mostly, have fun. The only person you have to please is you.
Enter the Kentucky Living 2012 Photo Contest
More than 7,500 of you submitted photos to last year’s contest. Practice the photo techniques above, then enter your photos: go to Kentucky Living 2012 Photo Contest. Entries must be received no later than March 15. (Printed forms will appear in the February and March issues of Kentucky Living.) Winning photos will be published in the July issue, with cash prizes of $2,000 total for 28 winners!
KEYWORD EXCLUSIVE: For a list of online photography Web sites, go to Photo Tips.
