Finding Photo Ops | Rediscovering Photography

Photography: Sometimes less is more

Cameras are literally everywhere at the moment. If we don’t own a digital camera, we have one on hand built into our phone. And the amount of pictures we can take has changed too. We can buy memory cards with several gig of memory that allow us to take thousands of photos, should we be so inclined.

The trouble is, with the amount of cameras around and their ease of use, most people don’t exercise restraint any more. They just point their phone and click, safe in the knowledge it will not cost them extra on their O2 or Orange contracts. They seize every opportunity or simply take photos for the sake of it.

As much as digital photography has revolutionized the ‘Kodak moment’, in a way it might have been better back in the days when there was only a certain amount of film available on a cartridge. You had to choose wisely which moments you decided to capture. And this thought behind the action made them more personal.

When you next celebrate a special occasion with your friends, go out on the town with the girls or get together with your extended family, try and hold back on the photography. Not indefinitely. Just long enough that you can really think about what pictures you want to take. Deliberate over where it ought be taken, who should be in it and why. The phrase ‘less is more’ counts with photography too.

This is not to say that spontaneity is a bad thing. On the contrary, the point-and-click method can work wonders. However, excessive clicking amounts to hundreds of photos that are too blurry, not in focus, have bad lighting or show someone in an unflattering way. And you end up discarding them without a second thought anyway.

The point is, we appear to be losing the technique behind the perfect photo. And that is a shame.

Written by Mike

February 2nd, 2012 at 8:54 am

Posted in Digital Photograpy Tips,Finding Photo Ops

Minnesota State and Public Parks

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Written by Mike

August 2nd, 2009 at 2:35 pm

Posted in Finding Photo Ops

Tagged with parks

5 ways to use your digital camera to help recover from ‘recession depression’

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Our wonderful economy sure has taken us all for a lovely ride, hasn’t it? The past couple of years have been very trying for most people and much worse than that for others. My heart goes out to those who have suffered financially through no fault of their own.

And when times are tough, it’s harder to find the time and money for recreation and hobbies.

But our digital cameras give us an almost ‘free’ way of getting some instant karma and some of our good feelings back. If you remember the days of film cameras, remember all the costs and extra time that used to be involved in taking photos? Now we don’t have to pay for film or processing. Or wait to see our results.

So grab your camera. Here are some ideas that not only will assure you of some good pictures, but will definitely help your mood.

Take your camera for a walk. Get outside for even a 10 or 15 minute walk. Then really look at what you see. You’ll find something that will make a great photo. Maybe it will be a close-up of something with a striking design, or the way the light and shadows play on the street or sidewalk, or something with colors that you miss on ordinary days. See what you can find within a block or two of your house. You might surprise yourself. And if not, your camera will thank you for the chance to get out!
Find your children. It doesn’t matter what they’re doing. Use your skills to take some great shots of them in their current normal day to day activities. In the future candid shots like this will tell more of a story than the typical birthday and holiday photos. And when you look back on them in the future, you’ll be glad you did this.
Do you cook? (If you don’t you’ll have to stop by the store for this one.) Whip up a favorite treat for your someone you haven’t seen for a while. Maybe it’s your Mother or another family member. Or one of your friends who could use a boost. Take it to them and record the event with your camera. You’ve got the skills to create a memorable shot. You’ll feel better, they’ll feel better, and the best of all will be the memories because you used your camera.
Grab your camera bag and gear and give it a good cleaning and sorting through. Get the accumulated dust and grime off everything. Sort through your gear and get it reorganized so you’re ready the next time you think of grabbing the camera. (And maybe now your would use that polarizing filter because you’ll know where to find it.) I know this sounds like work, but if you would spend 15 or 20 minutes doing this now I guarantee you’d be a lot happier. And you can be proud of yourself!
Pick a hobby or project that a family member or friend is involved in and is proud of. Is someone growing a garden, or flowers? Is your buddy rebuilding a car, or your friend making a quilt? Use your camera to take some great shots. Process them and send by email so they will be able to share the photos with their friends and family. (And if you’ve got a few extra bucks, print an 8X10 and put it in an inexpensive frame and give them a copy of your best shot.) Do this and you might be amazed at how much better you feel.

Like a leaf floating down the river, we go on day by day repeating our same routines over and over. Bust out of that routine, if even for a few minutes, and you will be glad you did.

Then, never let yourself be a leaf again.

Written by Mike

July 20th, 2009 at 10:53 pm

Posted in Finding Photo Ops

Rediscovering Photography

Photography: Sometimes less is more

Minnesota State and Public Parks

5 ways to use your digital camera to help recover from ‘recession depression’

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