A
Fun Exercise in Photography
by
Crede Calhoun, chief guide for
Camp Earth and
owner of Scenic Views Studios
July
2002
Photography is a really fun and creative activity and hobby. It is especially good for youth who maybe do not have normal artistic abilities like natural drawing ability. Photography can allow you to express yourself and capture the moment, and many people enjoy photography because it allows them to collect their memories. Pictures of trips, family, places and things that inspire you can be a great way to assemble a story of your life and experience. If you start to take pictures when your young, imagine how many great stories you will remember when you are old. Imagine how cool it will be when you think of an old friend many years after you last saw them, and you have their picture! Or, how about being able to show your grandchildren that first dog you got as a kid.
All of us like to take pictures on vacations. This month we will try a little photography assignment to see if we might enjoy it as a hobby or at least be a better picture taker when we do take pictures. Now you can have something to think about the next time you want to capture that 'Kodak' moment.
Send me your best photo in each category and we'll post them to the Internet in a photo gallery of kids and teens pictures in September at Deep Creek Times!
Here's how the exercise works. Here are four subject ideas. Each idea is a type of photograph. With each idea are ideas to help you think about each idea before you go out to take the photo. Remember, photography is about taking your time and carefully looking through the camera to be sure all the elements are arranged properly or taking the time to change the arrangement by varying the angle or the height of the camera. Don't be afraid to get down low or climb up high if you need to. Hold the camera still and steady when you click the picture and this will help the photo to be sharp and in focus. After the helpful hints you'll find a few photos to help illustrate the important points.
You don't need a good camera. Any camera will work, a cheap disposable, or even a digital camera.
Print out the exercise, grab a camera with film, and go have fun!
Photography Idea # 1
People Pictures
People pictures take timing. You have to be ready when the expression
is right to click the picture. Sometimes you have to talk to the person
or people to get them to smile or relax. You may even want to try and
pose them. Maybe sitting, standing, on or in something, or doing something.
Pictures of people doing something are usually good even if all they are
doing is waving, making a funny face, or participating in an activity.
With people photos be aware of what's behind the people. Are there trees
poking up behind their heads, or distracting things in the background
that draw the viewers attention away from people or person. Sometimes
a nice background can give the picture a sense of place and mood. Always
try and get the eyes. Pictures of one person should be from the waist
up and fairly close so you are sure to capture expression. People can
be looking away from the camera and sometimes that helps them to look
more natural instead of stiff and uncomfortable. Sometimes the best people
photos are pictures of people when they don't know they are having their
picture taken. Try to capture the character of the person in their eyes,
facial features, what they are doing and where they are were when the
picture was taken. Get creative.
Photography Idea # 2
Pet Pictures
Pet pictures take a little patience. If your pet is sleeping it's no problem
to get several different angles. Try to get your pet to look at the camera.
You might try waving, making a squeaking noise or doing anything to get
the animals attention. When the animals ears are up and the expression
is alert, click the picture. Get real close to really get the eyes, and
maybe get up high or down low for a good angle for the picture. You might
try a silly hat, glasses, or other item to help make the picture funny,
cute, or better able to show the personality of the animal.
Photography Idea # 3
Landscape Pictures
It's easy to get good landscapes if you keep a few things in mind. First
always be sure that if you have a horizon line in your picture that it
is level. Try to keep horizon lines away from the direct middle of the
picture, locate it in the top half or bottom half of the picture. Some
landscapes are good without any horizon line showing. Try to use any lines
or angles in the picture to draw the viewer into the photo or draw the
eye to any area in the scene. See if you can frame the view with tree
limbs, tree trunks, gaps in leaves or whatever is available. Having objects
in the foreground (front) of the picture can help give a 3-D look to the
photos, and maybe you can use something to give the landscape scale like
a small person in a big environment. Time of day is important in photography
and most good landscapes are captured in the morning or evening. Sometimes
bad weather can help make a moody photo.
Photography Idea # 4
Pattern Pictures
Taking pictures of patterns can be a good way to sharpen your awareness
of the objects and stuff around you. Try to take a picture of something
with a pattern or texture. Think about texture ideas like smooth, bumpy
and rough and try and take a picture that shows these ideas. Sometimes
contrasting textures work nice for a good picture and sometimes patterns
that have no pattern look interesting. Clouds are always beautiful and
interesting so keep your eyes sharp above for a nice cloud effect.
Submit your photos by mail, either prints or digital images on disk (include a self addressed stamped envelope for their return) to Crede Calhoun, PO Box 119, Friendsville, MD 21531. We'll make a webpage for the pictures in the fall. The best photo in each category will win 4 free tickets to the Camp Earth Bonfire Extravaganza. And the best entry of with all for photo ideas will win a free kayak tour with Camp Earth!
Happy photo taking!