Some provacative images from 2011.
Take a look and be inspired!
Oh Click anywhere on the type!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

A quick tip today about adding context to your photos.
What?
Well, a lot of images suffer from no context.
How large is that thing in the photo is probably the most common.
This is especially helpful in travel photography, where the setting might not be too familiar to a lot of people.
For example, in our lead image today, there’s a painting of what looks like Ghandi’s head on a wall.
Without the human form that is blurred and walking through this frame, the viewer has no idea how large this photo is.
It could be very small, yet the bricks could give us a clue or it could be massive.
That’s why including a human in your frame gives great context to your images.
Here’s the scene without our “friend.”

Sometimes, waiting for a very long time to include your human is part of the process.
Yet, when done right, it’s worth every minute.
Be inspired!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

My semester ended this week for my photography classes.
I was able to document each class, and the beginning classes were asked to jump.
I’ve always loved this shot.
Phillipe Halsman made it popular back in the 50’s when he was working for LIFE magazine and he started asking his subjects to do a jump for him at the end of his session for the magazine.
It got so popular that celebrities were offended if they weren’t asked.
So, he has Hollywood celebrities and political icons levitating for his camera.
I love seeing how many of my students can follow the mass exercise of everyone jumping on the count of three.
Take a look at the feet and see how many were able to join their peers.
Shot with my iPhone, be inspired!!!

Michael is the author of, “Take Better Photos Now,” and, “Mommie Pics,” ebooks that help everyone become better photographers through tips and secrets that he has learned during his more than 25 years of experience as a professional photographer and photography teacher. He currently is an adjunct professor at Cal Baptist University in Riverside, California. To purchase either ebook, click the links. CLICK HERE FOR “TakeBetterPhotosNow!
CLICK HERE FOR MOMMIE PICS

I challenged my advanced students to create a portrait of mystery, as if they were photographing a celebrity for an upcoming movie.

Fortunately, one of my students also works part-time as a model, so we drafted her into the role of the movie star. We found some cool light and posed her. They took a few a frames and then I asked them what could be added to the image to create that sense of drama and mystery?

I asked if anyone had a sheet of paper and crumpled it up and placed it in her hand closest to the camera and voila we had an element of mystery.

What was on the sheet of paper?

A letter of bad news? Love lost? You get the picture.

Here’s the frame with the sheet of paper.

As you can see, it’s just enough of a hint of drama to make us wonder and think.

There is one thing I would change.

I would have the subject bend her arm so the paper is against her jacket and not the light pillar and wall.

That would really make it pop.

A big thanks to Megan.

Next time you are making a portrait, think about adding something into the frame to create that bit of mystery and drama.

Finally, here’s a more stylized version for your viewing pleasure.

Be inspired!