Tips continued

Fill the frame with your subject. Do not be afraid to get closer to your subject. On the other hand, if you are using a digital camera with plenty of megapixels to spare, you can crop it later in software. Try an interesting angle. Instead of shooting the object straight on, try looking down to the object, or crouching and looking up. Pick an angle that shows maximum color and minimum shadow. To make objects appear longer or taller, a low angle can help. You may also want to make the object look smaller or make it look like you’re hovering over; to get the effect you should put the camera above the object. An uncommon angle makes for a more interesting shot. Focus. Poor focusing is one of the most common ways that photographs are ruined. Use the automatic focus of your camera, if you have it; usually, this is done by half-pressing the shutter button. Use the “macro” mode of your camera for close-up shots. Don’t focus manually unless your auto-focus is having issues; as with metering, automatic focus usually does a far better job of focusing than you can. Next time we will talk about the technical stuff. ISO aperture and shutter speed.

Organizing your photographs

You want to take beautiful photographs correct? Organizing your photos is not high on the list. However before you know it you will have hundreds and hundreds of photos and how will you find any of them? Create a system NOW. Even if you are swamped with photos already. There are many systems you can use. I like to start with general headings. EX. nature, family, vacations, events etc. Then I have under each of these subheadings by the year. If this is all you do you will be ahead of the game. But the more subheading you have the easier it will be to find that one special photo you took in 2012 of your grandmother. Even if you are sitting in a photographic mess at this moment create your system and put all your future photos into these categories. Then little by little you can sort through the uncategorized photos and put them into your system. Before you know if everything will be in order and available. Remember while you are doing this edit edit edit. Only keep the best. Then when you look back at your work you will see where you have been and the progress you have made. Start today.

Photographic tips continued

Compose your shot thoughtfully. Frame the photo in your mind before framing it in the viewfinder. Consider the following rules, but especially the last one: Use the Rule of Thirds, where the primary points of interest in your scene sits along "third" lines. Try not to let any horizon or other lines "cut the picture in half." Get rid of distracting backgrounds and clutter. Move positions to avoid trees looking like they are growing out of heads, when they are in the background. Change angles to avoid window glares from across the street. If you are taking vacation photographs, take a moment to get your family to put down all the junk they may be carrying around with them and to remove backpacks or hip packs as well. Keep that mess well out of the frame of the picture, and you will end with much nicer, less cluttered photos. Ignore the advice above. Regard the above as laws, which work much of the time but are always subject to judicious interpretation — and not as absolute rules. Too close an adherence to them will lead to boring photographs. For example, clutter and sharply focused backgrounds can add context, contrast, and colour; perfect symmetry in a shot can be dramatic, and so on. Every rule can and should be broken for artistic effect at times. This is how many stunning photographs are made. Fill the frame with your subject. Do not be afraid to get closer to your subject. On the other hand, if you are using a digital camera with plenty of megapixels to spare, you can crop it later in software.

More tips for taking photographs

Take your camera everywhere. When you have a camera with you, you will start to see the world differently; you will look for and find opportunities to take great photographs. Because of this, you will end taking more photographs; and the more you take, the better a photographer you will become. Furthermore, if you’re taking photographs of your friends and family, they will get used to you having your camera with you all the time. Thus, they will feel less awkward or intimidated when you get your camera out; this will lead to more natural-looking, less “posed” photographs. Also remember to have spare batteries with you or if using a phone have it charged. Get outside. The best time to take photographs in natural light is in the morning and evening. They call these times the “magic hours”. Once you start taking photographs during this time you will never take a photo again at 12:00 noon. Put the sun at your back. This is a general rule, that can certainly be broken, but until you know how to shoot into the sun your photographs will be much better if you are between the subject and the sun. Vary the angle to the sun,especially for people, and you will be amazed at the results. Remember experiment and try different angles. This is digital. Be vicious with what you save. If you’re going to be taking a lot of photographs your computer can fill up very fast with images. Take the time now to keep only the very best. You will be so thankful for the time spent now rather then having to plow through hundreds of images in the future. Next lession we will talk about organizing you photos. Boring, maybe, but absolutely necessary to keep from being really bored in the future.

Hints on taking better photographs

I am going to begin a sessions on learning to take better photographs. Everyone these days has great cameras, even on their phones. But a great camera does not mean great photography. So little by little I'll be including some hints on this blog. Number 1. Read the camera manual. People don't do this and they miss so much. Learn the basic actions, such as using the flash (on, off, and auto), zooming in and out, and using the shutter button. Some cameras come with a printed beginners manual but also offer a free larger manual on the manufacturer's website. If you don't have a camera manual just go on line and you'll find instructions. Number 2. Set the camera's resolution to take high quality photos at the highest resolution possible. Low-resolution images are more difficult to alter later; it also means that you cannot crop as enthusiastically as you could with a higher-resolution version (and still end with something printable). Upgrade to a bigger memory card. If you don't want to or can't afford to buy a new one, then use the "fine" quality setting, if your camera has one, with a smaller resolution. Number 3. Start with setting your camera to one of its automatic modes, if you have a choice. Most useful is "Program" or "P" mode on digital SLRs. Ignore advice to the contrary which suggests that you operate your camera fully manually; the advances in the last fifty years in automatic focusing and metering have not happened for nothing. If your photos come out poorly focused or poorly exposed, then start operating certain functions manually. That's enough for today. Just these 3 hints will have you taking much better photographs and having more fun. Stay tuned for more.

Hiring a professional for your photography

Since everyone these days has a good or great camera people seem to think they can leave the photography to a friend or relative. I hear these sad stories afterward when they hire me to actually get some "good" photos but of course the wedding is over. Here is a quote from a fellow wedding professional photographer. Surrendering to the unskilled is killing the wedding industry and robbing the couple of what they want. Sadly, the bride and groom are surrendering to unprofessional photographers and ending up with photos that carry no emotion or story telling. True, brides want 1500 images, but they lack the knowledge of what they are actually getting until that CD is actually viewed-many duplicate images using the "burst camera function." And editing either on her computer or online soon turns into hard work soon to be put off until a very raining day or never at all. You are not hiring the equipment when you hire a professional wedding photographer you are hiring someones' skills. It does take years of experience to be able to anticipate those unforgettable moments. Plus when you have a friend or relative do the photography they are going to want to party as well thus leaving those moments unrecorded. Skimp on the fancy cake or get less expensive flowers. Instead hire the professional photographer so you will have your memories forever. www.charlottebell.com

Mexcio for a Honeymoon?

Yes, most of Mexico is safe especially the beautiful colonial cites like San Miguel de Allende. Talk about a back drop for gorgeous photography!! I have photographed many weddings there, all with spectacular results. Here is a sample of one of the weddings. http://charlottebell.com/san-miguel-de-allende-wedding/ Flowers are less expensive, the service is unbeatable, the food is delicious plus there are wedding planners I will put you in contact with that can take care of all the details at a fraction of the cost then the US. And usually the wedding ends with fireworks, like in the sample. Let me know if you have any questions or would like to see more photographs from the fabulous destination wedding site.