Howard Moo Young photo
Howard Moo Young, Contributor
PRESSING THE shutter release on your camera is the least important part of the photographic process. Train yourself to see, anticipate and organise images in the viewfinder. Use your camera! This is the best way to become a competent photographer. The more you handle and experiment with it, the more familiar it will become, and the less it will get in the way of what you are trying to achieve.
However attractively packaged your cameras and lenses are, they are only a means to an end, producing photographs. You are allowed to make mistakes. A poorly-taken photograph only costs the price of film, so it is better to be learning from these, than to sit at home imagining the perfect image that may never be captured on film, digital or transparency. On this note, here are some additional tips that will help you improve your photography.
TAKE YOUR CAMERA
WITH YOU EVERYWHERE
Have you ever found yourself in a situation in which you wished you had a camera available? Maybe it was a fantastic sunset, an unusual street scene, or baby's first step. That's why most serious photographers (and many pros) own a good point-and-shoot model that's small enough to carry everywhere. A disposable camera is good enough to capture that 'forever lost' image. The digital compact camera is perfect for this purpose. Don't forget to carry extra rolls of film (or a couple of memory cards) and spare batteries.
SUPER-WIDE-ANGLE LENS FOR A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
These lenses in the 15-20mm range offer exaggerated perspectives for striking effects. These super wide-angle lenses deliver incredible depth of field, which is great for architecture, landscapes, and emphasising an interesting foreground subject in a scene. Subjects in the background seem to disappear into the horizon, while those close to the camera will appear huge. Cramped interiors will look less cluttered, but be careful to avoid close-ups of people with these lenses, unless you want to be humorous, showing big noses and receding eyes.
ENTER PHOTO COMPETITIONS
Most camera clubs have regular competitions among its members. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission encourages photographers island wide to enter the annual Festival National Competition, while other competitions are announced from time to time in the media. A few photographic magazines also have monthly competitions that are open to their readers.
VISIT THE ZOO
I haven't visited the zoo at Hope Gardens recently, and I don't know the conditions of the animals, but I know that a trip to any zoo is not only for fun, but will give you an opportunity to photograph 'wildlife' in a controlled environment. Animals and birds tend to be more active early in the morning, so try to visit the zoo as soon as it opens. Feeding time also provides a great opportunity to take pictures, and it's worth a telephone call to check the feeding schedule.
Be sure to take a telephoto lens (preferably from 300mm up), and a tripod or monopod. Try to make your images appear as though they were taken in the wild, without any telltale fences, visitors or cages in the background.
ZOOM YOUR WAY TO
UNUSUAL EFFECTS
If you do not have at least one zoom lens in your gadget bag, you will never be able to capture certain creative effects. Two good zoom lens can replace the many fixed focal length lens that some of us used to cram into our camera bags over the years. Today, these zooms allow us to carry a minimum of equipment, yet still prepared to handle most shooting situations. Mounted on a tripod with a one to two-second exposure, a smooth zoom from one end of the focal range to the other during the long exposure will achieve some interesting effects.
Use any opportunity to have your work exhibited, for such is a great way to have your work seen and maybe make a name for yourself (or at least some money to buy film and processing). Don't expect a well-known gallery to host your first exhibition, or instant fame. Instead, try showing your photographs at libraries, restaurants, and banks to see if they are interested in hosting an exhibition. Once you find a venue, distribute some promotional flyers and see what happens.
READ PHOTOGRAPHY BOOKS AND MAGAZINES
A visit to your favourite bookstore, library, or magazine rack will reveal a wealth of material that will help you take better photographs. Try and spend quality time with a few books that have a collection of stunning photographs, some by well-known photographers, usually known as 'coffee table' books. Photography books on special subjects, for example, weddings, nature & wildlife, action, people, photojournalism, travel and other topics are available. National Geographic is filled with excellent images from cover to cover.
WAKE UP EARLY, STAY OUT LATE
Most photographers know that the best light occurs early in the afternoon, and late in the afternoon, but not many of us take advantage of these opportunities. If you are an early riser, dawn usually sets the stage for some peaceful, yet unusual lighting as the rays of the morning sun glow against the clouds in an array of colours. The late evening sun sets a warm colour on everything it touches, as day comes to an end. Look out for the blue and magenta afterglow after the sun goes down. Use your tripod during these times for better results.
KEEP YOUR EQUIPMENT CLEAN
It's important to keep your camera, lenses, filters, battery terminals, and other equipment clean. So don't leave home without a can of compressed air, an anti-static brush, a good microfibre cloth and a bottle of lens cleaner. Get a good all-weather camera bag to keep your precision instrument and accessories intact, and try not to bounce, drop, or get it wet. If you see some dust, dirt, sand or fingerprints, get rid of such carefully. Don't forget to clean the battery contacts of all your electronic gear with a Q-Tip dipped in alcohol.
TRY MACRO PHOTOGRAPHY
You can find a variety of interesting subjects for close-up photography, right in your home. Coins, stamps, backyard insects and jewellery all offer possibilities for macro images. It helps to have a true macro lens with a 1:1 reproduction ratio, but many zoom lenses offer 1:4 macro capability. The combination of high magnification and close-focusing distance requires the use of a good tripod for best results. You can increase depth of field a bit by using a flash or a faster film.
DEVELOP A PORTFOLIO
You will benefit by creating a portfolio of your favourite images, even if you never plan to sell any of your photographs. An attractive collection of your best photographs can serve as a valuable reference for future work, as well as a source of inspiration. A variety of portfolio cases are usually found at art supply stores.
If you have a digital camera or a scanner and a printer at home, you can print your portfolio pieces yourself. Show how versatile a photographer you are, as well as your specialities. Remember that the more you photograph, the better you'll become.
Howard Moo Young is an Advertising, Graphic Design, and Photography Consultant with over 40 years experience. E-mail: mooimages@yahoo.com
