RI photographer Monika Lozinska-Lee in action photographing damage caused by wildfires in California. Photo by Miriam Doan
S o you're not a professional, but you want to document your club's project or submit your picture to www.rotary.org or The Rotarian ? Here are a few tips from RI staff photographer Monika Lozinska-Lee that will put your photos in a better light.
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Avoid clutter. We tend to want to have it all, and photography is no exception. You see nice surroundings, interesting people, or cool buildings, and you get excited and try to fit them all in the frame when you really should be selecting a focal point. With photography, it's a subtraction process. Resist the urge to include everything in your shot. Prioritize, then subtract.
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In matters of resolution, aim high. Be sure to set your camera to the highest resolution. You'll get fewer images, but they'll be of better quality and allow you more freedom if you want to crop or resize them.
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Don't fight the light. Unless you're trying for a silhouette, don't point your camera toward the light. Instead, make sure your light source is off to the side or behind you.
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Flash forward. When you photograph people outdoors, even on the brightest of days, you're going to end up with deep shadows if you don't use a flash. The flash evens out the light and helps minimize contrast.
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Think angles. Avoid placing your subjects in the center of the frame. It's much more visually appealing if they're to the left or right of center. Look for interesting angles.
For more pointers on photography, check out these sites: