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Shoot like a pro - Nice shot: Getting the most out of your camera |
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Written by Rebecca LaPole and Erin Frustaci
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Thursday, 04 January 2007 |
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Page 1 of 6 
As writers, the saying “A picture is worth a thousand words” crushes our spirits. But, as much as we adore the written word, there is just something about an amazing photograph that — sometimes — expresses more than any words can say.
Now we ask you to consider all of those photos you took during the holidays. Do they fit into that aforementioned “speechless” category? Or are you speechless when you look at them because everyone either has half a head or silly expressions and red eyes that look inhabited by the devil himself?
The accessibility and ease of digital cameras has turned photography from a fine art into something everyone thinks they know how to do well. Yet few really take the time to learn the basics.
Instead of expecting greatness at the push of a button, we searched out tips and classes from northern Colorado photographers on how to get best shot every time you utter the words “Say Cheese...”
There are simple tricks some northern Colorado photographers advise to keep in mind while shooting:
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 1. PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
This is the predominant solution photographers recommend for attaining striking photos. Professional photographer Soren McCarty, who has a studio in Boulder, has been published in SPIN, Rolling Stone, Blender, TIME, People, The New York Times, Playboy and many others.
“I think the more photos you run through your camera, the better. Just get out there and start shooting,” he said. McCarty’s work can be seen
online at www.myspace.com/eyesoren and at www.wireimage.com.
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2. GET CLOSE
One of the biggest mistakes people make is they don’t get close enough.
“You need to be selective,” Fort Collins photographer John Clarke said. “If you get too much in the photo it gets distracting and hard to look at.”
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3. PERSPECTIVE
When shooting children or animals, get down at their level for more interesting photos that give a different perspective of the world than your own.
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4. RULE OF THIRDS
Some digital cameras now offer a grid on the  screen to help with this simple composition tip. Having your main subject off-center can make for a more interesting image.
Aspiring Fort Collins photographer AJ Hawks explains: “You want to divide your picture up into nine parts; thirds horizontally and vertically, and keep interesting parts along the dividing lines and intersections, like eyes and mouth going along the two horizontal lines.”
 See some of Hawks’ work at his Web site: www.flickr.com/photos/ahawks.
In terms of design, the same rules of composition of art apply. For example, warm colors advance and cool colors recede.
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5. USE WHAT YOU HAVE
Classes are a good place to start, but they are not always required — especially in the age of digital, where you have more freedom to experiment since “developing” your pictures is as easy as downloading them onto your computer.
“Just know what you are trying to capture and use your tools to bring it out. If your equipment is capable, blur the background to highlight the subject, or compose the picture to eliminate distracting elements. For example, if a person has beautiful eyes, it is OK to crop out the top of their head to give the eyes more space,” Hawks said.
Keep subjects on the same plane of focus. It is important that all your subjects are at the same distance, so the lighting on all subjects is even.
But remember, your subject is only part of the frame. Scan the rest of the frame for objects you may not want in the picture, like say trash that is littering the ground or a light pole directly behind your subject.
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 6. GOT LIGHT?
Be aware of where the light is. Look for shadows and pay attention to how light is cast on your subject. Don’t be afraid to have them move to better lighting. Also, don’t be afraid to turn the flash on or off.
“A common mistake is blowing out a picture too much with the flash,” Fort Collins photographer Lisa Wilson said. “A lot of times you don’t need a flash. It can totally wash out a picture.”
Shoot in the early morning or late afternoon for the best natural light.
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7. RELAX!
Try taking pictures that are less posed. These usually turn out much better, especially pictures of children.
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8. REVIEW AND REDO
Use that playback feature. If you don’t like what you’ve got, keep shooting. You can be selective later when you print your pictures.
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 9. LEARN THE ROOTS
“My advice to any aspiring photographers is, take a black-and-white photo class at the local college or in town,” McCarty said. “With digital (cameras) a lot of people are not learning the roots of photography.”
If you’d like to learn more about photography, The Collective Fine Art Gallery in Fort Collins is offering two digital photography classes:
The first is an eight-week beginner/intermediate course that starts Jan. 8 and is taught by Dr. Robert Dunkley, who has taught courses for more than 14 years at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. According to the gallery’s Web site, the class will include the following topics:
• film and digital differences
• aperture
• f/stops
• depth of field and shutter synthesis
• lighting
• colors
• black and white photographs
• forms and shapes
The second class is a one-day extensive workshop on Feb. 10, presented by Fort Collins professional adventure and travel photographer Dan Bailey, who also has work on display at The Collective. “Through a combination of in-class presentations and outside shooting sessions, you will learn the techniques of proper exposure, how to make the best use of your equipment, how to see more creatively, and how to translate your own personal vision into successful photographs,” he said about the class.
Bailey has been published worldwide by clients that include: Nikon, Outside Magazine, The New York Times, and Patagonia.
10. LOVE WHAT YOU SHOOT
Fort Collins professional photographer Ray Romero at Eye Candy Magazine said, “Never, ever, ever shoot anything that you are not passionate about... it’ll always show in the final product(s).” See some of his passion at work at www.myspace.com/eyecandymag.
Once you’ve found a subject you love, Fort Collins photographer Terry Robinson offers some other suggestions. • Purchase the most expensive equipment that your budget will allow. • Use a tripod or image stabilization lens. • Take more than one shot of each subject and use different camera settings. • Use filters for effect. • If shooting digital, shoot in Raw mode, large JPEG or both. • Use flash to fill-in and open up dark areas. • Control depth of field with F-stop. Control moving subjects with shutter speed. • Join a camera club that can help evaluate your work. Robinson’s work is on display at The Collective Gallery and online at natureimpressionsphotography.com.
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|  | "Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost. That is Alchemy's first law of Equivalent Exchange. In those days, we really believed that to be the world's one, and only truth." | |
|  | We're not that bright, even though in our own little world, we're geniuses. We like 80s hair bands and one-hit wonders, but among us we have respectable tastes, too. Metallica, Iron Maiden, U2. Pursuit of all things trivial is a lifestyle, not just a game. We like some sports, love other sports, and can find something to say about anything. We watch TV and movies and we've read a book or two, even a few classics (Yes, Classic Comics count!)
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|  | Felix Wong is an outdoor enthusiast living in Fort Collins. A mechanical engineer by day, he is especially passionate about bicycling, running, and backpacking. | |
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I am a recent college graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead. After recieving my B.A. in English and Mass Communications this past August I moved down to Colorado.
I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and heavy metal. My hobbies include reading and writing, music, movies, and getting drunk. Some of my favorite contemporary authors include Bret Easton Ellis, Chuck Palahniuk, and Kurt Vonnegut. My top movies are anything directed by Kubrick. I enjoy listening to anything that rocks.
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