Photo Essay

When you are taking pictures of a spectacular location, consider creating a photo essay. By compiling various pictures of the same subject, the viewer gets a deeper understanding.

Don't forget to look all around and take pictures of the surrounding area so that the viewer gains a better understanding of the entire scene.

Take close up shots of the details of the scene.

Also make sure you pull back and get an overview of the entire subject. This helps to establish a sense of scale for the viewer.

I like to juxtapose photos like the overview of the entire waterfall with the relatively small stream that feeds the waterfall. Think about cause and effect when you are shooting a scene. Sometimes beginning photographers focus on the end result and the viewers miss out on seeing what leads to the end result. Try to provide a more complete understanding for the viewer.

Think about framing when composing your photos. Find natural frames around the main subject for your pictures like the trees in the photo above.

Make sure you use natural lighting without a flash to capture the mood of the scene.

Capture close-up shots do the details when you are creating a photo essay. These shots create a deeper understanding when put together with other photographs.

Just as a stressed the importance of capturing the top of the waterfall, it is also very important to shoot the tail end of the waterfall or the final result of the scene.

An abstract photo of water running over rocks gains meaning when it is combined with other photos from the same setting.

From the Water's Edge

Look for interesting lines and patterns and try to compose your photo from an angle that intriques the reader's eye and directs the viewer to really examine the picture fully.

Try to capture rare moments. A major part of photography is being at the right place at the right time. make sure to exercise patience and wait for the perfect moment to capture something extrordinary.

Light vs. Shadow

I love the way the light plays off of the curves of this car in this picture.

Curves are sexy to the eye, especially when they are on an classic car. The viewer's eye is guided around the photo and is encouraged to examine every detail.

I like how this car is coming right at the camera, but I have a large depth of field even in the low lighting setting. It was important to me that the viewer got a clear view of the entire car. 

Photography Tips

Think about symbolism of the subjects in your photos, and also how the lighting impacts the mood.

Never underestimate the impact that color can have to either make or break a simple snapshot.

Scale and angle should be considered. Photos taken from a higher angle make the subjects appear smaller, whereas pictures shot from a low angle can make subjects appear larger and almost monster-like.

Capture action in the moment. The essence of photography is that ability to capture a moment and make it last forever.

Robert Capa once said, "If your pictures aren't good enough, you aren't close enough." Don't be afraid to get up close and personal even in intimate moments such as this one.

Symmetry can create an interesting pattern for the eye to follow, and natural lighting is almost always best in my opinion.

Capture the absurd. Let your creativity run wild. Don't be afraid to try a new perspective. 

Think about lines in your photos and where they lead the viewer's eyes. 

Light and shadow create depth in photographs. Keep this in mind when you are deciding where to stand when shooting your photos. 

When shooting a scene, think about how you can use multiple photos together to create photo essays. Don't forget to zoom in on the details of the scene to create a deeper understanding of the subject.

Think about the depth of field, or what is in focus and what is out of focus. This technique creates more depth in photographs and helps to create emphasis. 

When taking photographs, don't forget to look up, down, under, and over. Be experimental. Sometimes these are the best shots. 

If you see a beautiful sunset, capture it regardless of where you are. 

Silhouettes are fun if you have the right light. 

But optimal lighting and action is a better combination. Don't settle for one or the other. 

Find beauty in the mundane world. Photography draws people's attention to things that are often overlooked. 

Take a walk in the woods with your camera and you will be surprised with the beauty that nature creates. 

Especially if you look close enough. Oddities are all around us. 

And delicate beauty under our feet.

Sometimes soft focus can add to the mystical quality of a scene. 

But sometimes nature does most of the work for you, and all you have to do is stand back and take it all in.