Photography Class

My sister Laura and I are taking a photography class and we love it! We've learned about f-stop, shutter speed, compositions rules, lenses and filters.  It is so interesting and the best part is our teacher explains things so well, we are actually understanding some of the more complicated aspects of photography.  Here are some of the pictures I have taken.  (Coleman is the only one home during the day, so he is my favorite and only subject right now.)   Be inspired to take more pictures and be creative!

Here are some helpful tips:

    *Hold the camera with your left hand, giving the camera a stable base, and push the button with your right hand.  I have always done both with my right, which can produce shaky pictures.

    *Check 7 points in your viewfinder before taking the picture: subject, background, foreground and 4 corners.  If something is not to your liking, change your angle or position. This will give you an uncluttered picture from the best view possible.

    *Simplicity:  keep background simple, concentrate on one subject at a time.    

    *Rule of Thirds: don't center your subject for a more pleasing picture, leave space for your subject to move into.

    * Lines: curves and diagonals add interest and dynamics.

    * Balance: symmetrical or asymmetrical, let shapes and colors tell the story.

    * Framing:  fill the screen, use nature (trees, rocks) frame subject and add depth.

    * Avoid Mergers:  check 7 points to keep background simple, don't cut off hands and feet, don't steal from point of interest.