TakeBetterPhotosNow.com » portrait photography tips

Interesting Light

Michael Kitada — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:00:57 +0000

Walking in a parking garage, I noticed some light falling on a directional arrow.
It was incredibly beautiful.
It only reinforced my belief that partially lighting a subject is so much more interesting than letting light wash indiscriminately over the entire frame.
This image was deep within a parking garage, somehow the light was filtering through about 3 stories of concrete and still it was fantastic!
Be aware and 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

Light and Shadows

Michael Kitada — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:00:57 +0000

It’s my sons’ birthday tomorrow and I was headed to the store to buy a card for him.
That’s when I spotted this scene.
I got my iPhone ready and tried to shoot before the clerk noticed the crazy guy pointing his phone at him.
I was pretty successful, except the horizon is a bit tilted.
But what I love is the shadows and the light.
Great side lighting was hitting the clerk, whom (not sure if that’s the right usage, but it sounds good) I placed in the lower right hand area of convergence, and the great shadow of the tree thet was striking the building.
I was excited and started to explain all that to the perplexed clerk, finally I just said thanks I write a blog and you might the in it.
He looked at me like, ” Uhhh okay, can I just be left alone on my break?”
I walked away as fast as possible, still excited about my image.
I guess I’m a true photo geek, excited about the play of light and shadows.
Be inspired!
Oh, Happy Birthday, Sean!!!

Direction of Light

Michael Kitada — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:00:36 +0000

It was very cloudy today, so I decided to make a couple of portraits to talk about the direction of light.
On a cloudy day, shadows are very diffused and the light is very conducive to making beautiful portraits.
Brides, take note. Cloudy days, mean beautiful photos.
Ahh, but there is a pitfall that many beginning photogs run into.
They forget that all light has a direction, even soft, beautifyl, and diffused light from a cloudy day.
Let’s take a look.
See the first image?
Pretty light, but our subject is looking away from the direction that the light is emanating from, thus a shadow rests on her face.

Photo two, all I did was ask the subject to look towards her left, which is the direction that the light was coming from.
It’s easy once you practice looking at the light.
See the direction and put your subject in that area.
Two completely different images, depending on the where the subject is looking.
Be inspired!

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!

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!

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!