Picking up from where we left last time. You don’t necessarily have to remember all these rules or apply all of them to the photos you take. Just practise them, one at a time, and soon they’ll become second-nature, and you’ll figure out yourself where the different rules can be applied for best effect.
Focus on perspectiveMost parents and pet lovers have a tendency to take photos of their kids and pets from their eye-level. Unfortunately, this results in some very distorted and unflattering photos. Instead, I always advise people to take photos from their subject’s eye-level. Besides just pets and kids, changing your perspective can breathe fresh life into your photography skills. There are unlimited possibilities for capturing the same subject from different angles. So, experiment with your point of view – get down on the ground, climb a tree, get on your knees – whatever it takes for that perfect shot.
Get comfortable with proximityWhen it comes to camera phones, the closer you are to your subject, the better photos you get. Getting closer gives you more control over the lighting of your subject. For example, if there are any bright patches in the background of your shot, they might be throwing your camera’s meter off and making your subject appear dark. Once you get close, you can block it out entirely. Basically, the best zoom you have is your feet; so, get closer to your subject, and see how your humble camera phone shines.
Leading linesThis is another interesting technique that can add depth and character to your shots. Since our eyes are naturally drawn along lines and paths in photos, photographers make use of leading lines, or lines within an image, to lead the eye to another point in the photo, or sometimes, out of the photo. It actually tends to make the person viewing the photo feel as if they’re in the photo themselves. Sounds complicated? It’s not, really. Leading lines are all around us – in cities as well as in Nature. They could be in the form of trees, avenues, roads, fences, electric lines, rivers… the list goes on. The next time, before you take a shot, take a moment to examine the scene for prominent lines.
Forget the flashAll of us have been subjected to the harsh light of a camera phone flash that results in demon eyes and scary smiles. But we don’t have to anymore. Nowadays, camera phones capture much better photos in low light. And if you really need that extra light, try using another person’s camera light from a 45-degree angle to make your subjects brighter instead.
Framed!Not just the ones on the wall – natural or man-made frames can really make a photo pop. Openings in trees and rock formations with holes in them are good examples of natural frames. Doorways, windows and arches make for great man-made frames. They help contain the subject or scene in an interesting form. And what’s more, they help set you apart from the amateur shutterbug.
