I get email from photographers asking me to look at their photography, and give my thoughts. In ten seconds I can usually tell them how to improve it. Other pro’s can see things in my photo’s as well. There’s nearly always something we can improve, no matter the experienced we have.
Many rules are universal to any photographer, of any style, any experience level. Of course rules are made to be broken, but we all need inspiration and reminders. These are things that I try to remember in my own work, and I’ve spend the past week compiling them. Share yours in the comments, then post some of your work in the forums and get some personal feedback. OK let’s go…
- Omit needless objects:
- Simplicity is at the heart of great images:
- Bold colors make bold photographs:
- If a background is too cluttered, blur it:
- If a background still doesn’t add to a scene dump it:
- Light; Where’s it coming from? how can you leverage it?:
- Don’t center everything. Use the rule of thirds. It works:
- Eye’s? Watch them close. They control emotion:
- Blur used right can be magical:
- Keep it vivid. Watch your shutter speed, and movement:
- Crop out needless space:
- Harsh sunlight is usually bad:
- Shadows are dramatic. Use them:
- Clouds are your friend, they give shade & put you in control:
- Go with your gut. Have an idea? Then try it:
- If the weather is foul, it doesn’t mean pictures will be:
Images & Content By Gavin Seim
