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Technology October 2014

Fritz on Photography

Lighting, Placement and Isolation

By Fritz Penning

The three points demonstrated are the fundamentals of good photography. Light is the most important element and with today’s camera photos in bright light and low light are readily possible.

When selecting a subject to photograph consideration should be given to what your subject looks like, where to place your subject in the frame and what other things will be shown. Some of these things the photographer can control when making a picture instead of just taking a picture.

We can illustrate three fundamental points that give a photograph more feeling and appeal. These are lighting, placement and isolation.  

The photo above was taken in direct sun with the camera set on auto. Note the washed out colors. The flower was placed in the center of the frame  against a busy background. Lighting was in full sunlight.

In contrast, the same flower was photographed with the sun behind, and placed in the upper portion of the frame. A white card was held behind to block the busy background while taking care not to cast a shadow.

The three points demonstrated are the fundamentals of good photography. Light is the most important element and with today’s camera photos in bright light and low light are readily possible. Good composition avoids placing your subject in the center, avoiding the “bulls-eye” effect. In many ways photography is the art of subtraction. When a camera is pointed and ready to shoot, everything in front of it will be recorded. Only that which is of interest should be emphasized.

Just a few moments of being aware and planning ahead can make photos that are keepers. The possibilities are there, use them.

 

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