In the first part of this series, I want you to forget about the brand or model of camera you own and all of the fancy post-processing techniques you may or may not know about, we’ll get into all of that fun stuff in future posts. In truth, virtually nobody cares about what camera was used to take a picture or the software used to process it.
A great photo isn’t about the tools involved in creating it, but the relationship between the photographer and the subject(s) in the photo. Whether you’re looking at a picture of a mountain, a bowl of apples, a wooden chair, a family, a friend or a lover; good photography gives those who observe your pictures a chance to see things from a different and unique perspective, your perspective.
The next time you’re getting your camera ready for a shot, before pressing your shutter button, take a moment to pause and seriously consider how you feel about what you see through the lens. Keep in mind that how you feel about your photo will often times reflect itself, at least to some degree, to others who look at it. Often times, the slightest change of angle or timing is all it takes to bring your photo to the next level.
Understanding this very basic principle is the first step towards improving your shots, regardless of how good your equipment is. It’s really just a matter of creating a connection with the subject(s) in your frame and positioning yourself to capture the awesomeness of their natural expression. Look for those moments, hold on to those moments, and I promise that you will see great improvement in even the simplest pictures you take.
The HDR (High Dynamic Range) photo posted above was shot over 10 years ago using a cheap 2MP Sony Cybershot.
This is one of the first photos that truly fuelled my passion and love of photography.