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TWU instructors
offer tips for taking better photographs
2006
DENTON —
Whether film or digital, shutterbugs will be shooting thousands
of photographs this holiday season. Some will be using cameras
they’ve had for years, and others will be using new
cameras received as a gift.
Regardless of his
or her experience behind the camera, every photographer wants
to take the best photograph possible. Instructors with the
Texas Woman’s University Department of Visual Arts,
which offers degrees in fine art photography, offered some
tips on taking better photos:
• First,
slow down. Take time to arrange your photo and examine every
aspect of what’s in the viewfinder. Look for telephone
poles, tree branches and other objects poking out of people’s
heads and rearrange the shot to eliminate those objects.
• Second,
fill the frame with your subject. You’re taking a photo
of that person or object for a reason. Don’t let her
or it get lost in the photo by taking the shot from too far
away. Placing the person or object larger in the photo also
gives the viewer something to focus on.
• Third,
if people you’re going to photograph look uncomfortable,
make small talk with them to get them to relax and feel more
comfortable. Also, if you’re uncomfortable and tense,
it will show in your subject. If you’re at ease, your
subject will relax and photograph better.
• Fourth,
keep the light to your back. If the light is behind your subject,
you’re going to get a silhouette effect. The best time
to shoot photos of people outdoors is during the morning or
evening light or in open shade to avoid deep shadows under
the eyes. However, you also can use your flash outdoors to
fill in shadows.
• Fifth,
shoot more than one frame of your subject. Taking more than
one frame allows you to get slightly different expressions
on a person’s face and helps ensure that his or her
eyes aren’t closed in every photo. It also gives you
several shots to choose from for you photo album.
• Sixth,
have fun and enjoy using your camera. When you feel comfortable
with the camera, experiment with different lighting, backgrounds
and settings.
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For Further
Information Contact:
Karen Garcia
Senior Copywriter
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: kgarcia@twu.edu |
