Redux: How to Take the Perfect Picture

For those of you who missed it, and for me, who talked too long to finish the whole thing in four minutes or less...enjoy!

~MRF

How to Take The Perfect Picture

What IS the perfect picture?

- It’s what you saw in your mind.

- It’s what you wanted to express.

What it IS NOT ...

- What someone else would photograph.

- Made with $$$ equipment.

So, what’s the BEST camera?

- It’s the one you want to & do carry with you everywhere.

- Photos are meant to be shared and to communicate.

- An example: www.BestCamera.com - it's an iPhone app / photo blog / and a generally great premise: Easy to take photos, add cool effects and share them.

- Or, also try: Flickr, Picasa, Photobucket.

Before you go ...

- Equipment doesn't actually matter (much).

- It’s the Concept (we’re designers, right?).

- Go for the: Subject / Composition / Design.

So, here are some tips ...

1. Pick a subject & make it the HERO.

2. Wander around the subject or scene / examine the subjects and angles.

3. Keep the Center of interest OUT of the Center of the frame.

4. Ready, FIRE, Aim. Don’t always stare through the viewfinder (one-eyed grandma syndrome). Look at the person you are photographing and smile, interact.

5. Hold the camera other than at eye-level; try getting down on your stomach / crouching / running up onto a balcony / shooting through a shop window. Get a new perspective, match it with the subject and the treatment you want to give it.

*In the 1970's, Garry Winogrand even used to swing his camera by the strap and see what shots he captured.

6. Look for interesting patterns, textures, shapes or forms.

7. Try photographing the Edges of an event for interest... a kid lacing up their soccer shoes, getting dressed for a ballet recital, etc. There’s often a lot more expressive, interesting photos found during those times than during the event itself.

8. Buy the postcard; Don’t bother trying to photograph a sunset (unless it's really freaking amazing).

9. When photographing people, let them a.) Look at the camera, or b.) Smile — But NEVER both at the same time.

10. Environmental portraiture; step back a bit and place your subject in their surroundings -- a farmer’s market, a first car, a sentimental place.

And, remember ...

- Whether digital or film, you’re "painting with light." Begin to pay attention to light of all kinds: reflected light, transmitted light from a light source), back-light, side-light, etc.

Our friend Garry? (from #5 above...) He was once quoted as saying, "I photograph to see what things look like photographed." -- which means photographs usually won’t turn out exactly as you saw them, so go with the flow, get to know how things might turn out, and plan for that.

Hope that helps ... You’ll notice I didn't talk about equipment and geek-stuff at all. These tips and others will take you a lot further to getting nice photos and enjoying it all at the same time.

Thanks!