TakeBetterPhotosNow.com

Composition

Michael Kitada — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:00:42 +0000

Looking at composition today.
Composition is how you arrange elements within the canvas to create visual strength for your viewers.
The stop sign is in the lower left area of convergence and causes viewers to be drawn into the frame.
Strong composition equals strong images that cause viewers to linger on your images.
Remember the Tic-Tac-Toe grid.
Place your most important subjects in one of the areas where the lines of the grid intersect to create the strongest compositions.
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

Visual Complexity

Michael Kitada — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 08:00:14 +0000

The post today is about visual complexity.
When you add a human figure to most images, you can create visual complexity and context for the image.
Otherwise, there can be too much ambiguity.
Adding a human figure to an image helps the viewers to gauge size and can add layers or complexity to make the image that much more appealing to the viewer.
Here’s are first image without the man:

In the second image, the photo could be a 4X6 inch photo, but with the man in the first image, the viewer knows that the image is almost life-size.
I found this scene at the Richard Nixon Library in Yorba Linda.
My career as a photojournalist is tied to this place.
It was one of my first big assignments, back in March of 1990, when the library opened.
I was assigned to fly in a helicopter and photograph the mass of people who attended the opening.
Due to the number of living past and present presidents on-site, no air traffic was allowed below 3000 feet.
I recall the people looking like ants.
I was able to get my shot, while my co-workers struggled with red tape and the crowds.
Add human figures when possible for additional information for the viewer and a more interesting and visually complex image.
Be inspired!

Backlit Portraits

Michael Kitada — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 08:00:49 +0000

Too many times when we make portraits, we get stumped by the light.
Backlit situations can be complicated.
Not enough light on the subject and too much light on the background leads to silhouettes or poorly lit subjects.
Here’s a couple of tips to overcome a backlit situation:
1. Overexpose the background which will add more light to the the subject. Open up your f/stops!
2. Use a bit of flash to open up the shadows. Fill flash adds light just the subject and not to the overall background.
Essentially, the light falling on your subject needs to be the same or brighter than that falling on the background to achieve a well lit portrait.
Lastly, remember to see the direction that the light is falling on your subject.
That’s what makes the difference between a so-so portrait and one that sings.
Be inspired!

Interesting Light Portraits

Michael Kitada — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:00:35 +0000

I speak a lot about finding beautiful light for your portraits and today is no different.
Direct light with interesting shadows is just made for portraits.
Light that is passing through something to create great shadows is best and light that is at the most 45 degrees or less is going to be flattering for your subject.
The hight the light source in the sky, the more unflattering to your subject it will probably be.
Obviously, that’s a general rule, so experiment and you might be pleasantly surprised with your results.
Be inspired!

Mona Lisa Magic

Michael Kitada — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:00:22 +0000

I’ve been lucky enough to see the real Mona Lisa in the Louvre.
Last weekend I was surprised to see a duplicate in downtown Los Angeles.
Painted on a steel building was the lady herself!
Beautiful colors and imagination, she was about 20 feet tall and she adorned the roll up portion of a garage door.
It was a pleasant surprise in the midst of Little Tokyo, surrounded by refurbished condominiums and dilapidated buildings, she held court with grace and elegance over them all.
I was more than happy to document this ode to Leonardo’s masterpiece.
I challenge you to take a walk in your neighborhood and find something to be inspired by.
Old or new, let it stir up the creative juices for photographic journey.
Be inspired!

Leading Lines

Michael Kitada — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 08:00:42 +0000

I want to share a bit about leading lines.
Lines that can be used as powerful compositional tools.
The lines are tools that lead a viewers eyes from one place to another in your image.
Take a look at our image for today.
There are lines from the shadows.
Lines from the crosswalk.
Lines are even created by the pieces of asphalt that the other lines create.
Everything points to the legs of the pedestrian.
I caused the viewer to look at the pedestrian, by utilizing this technique.
Incorporate your own leading lines technique in your next image to control where your viewers look within your image.
Be inspired!

Repetition

Michael Kitada — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:00:50 +0000

Repetition in photography helps to draw the attention of your viewer into your image.
In todays’ example, the steps help build a pattern of repetition that is broken up by the walking figure.
The figure serves as a visual break, but only a temporary one, as the steps continue before and after the figure.
An image of just the steps would emphasize the pattern that is created, while the walking figure breaks the pattern with a visual speed bump.
Either technique is very effective for your viewers.
Try to train your eyes to spot more patterns and utilize these two techniques in your images.
Be inspired!

Color Photos

Michael Kitada — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 08:00:48 +0000

This is the most amazing wall.
The orange color was so brilliant, it could probably be seen from space.
It reminded me of how color can be used so effectively in photography.
One of colors greatest photographers is Alex Webb.

Here’s an example of his work that uses color as part of the composition.
Look to use color as strong compositional elements rather then just as window dressing.
Be inspired!

Wall Photo Art

Michael Kitada — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:00:04 +0000

There’s nothing like finding a beautiful image that an amazing artist has been inspired to place on a wall or building.
I was lucky enough to see a couple in downtown Los Angeles over the weekend.
This one featured a pair of giant red lips and a nose that seemed to be double-exposed as there were 4 nostrils in total.
The creativity that I add is placing the art in various parts of my photo canvas and making it a new image.
Here I placed the lips in the lower left area of the frame for the maximum impact.
Funny, but after I took my photos, 3 other people walked up and started photographing the wall art!
Guess I’ll never be able to get away from that pack mentality that exists.
One photographer finds something interesting and there’s a tendency for everyone else to rush over and shoot the same thing.
I still made it uniquely mine.
Stalk the wall art in your town and be inspired!

Balance in Photography

Michael Kitada — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:00:04 +0000

I was in downtown Los Angeles today and decided to just take my iPhone and have fun.
One of the images that caught my attention was this painting on an old building and how it balanced itself on the wall and in my photo.
Balance.
Everyone needs it, but it comes to naturally to most of us, we tend to take it for granted.
Balance in photography is the resolution of visual forces or subjects.
In the above image, the eyes balance the frame and hold the viewer’s attention with the resolution being the shadow of the nose and the bar of red at the bottom of the frame which holds everything together.
Without balance, there is only chaos and a visual feeling of incompleteness.
Look visual tension and the resolution of the within the confines of your frames to create visual harmony.
Notice how the eyes draw your attention?
Neither one is stronger than the other, they both seem to have an equal magnetism for your attention.
That’s the balance of this image.
Practice achieving balance in your images with resolution and the ability to hold your viewer’s attention.
Be inspired!