learn to take good photos

5 ways to shoot more like a film photographer

170 Comments / Photography Tutorial /

Have you ever been tempted to shoot film? Why, in this age of rapidly advancing technology, increasingly “smart” cameras, and the cost and convenience of digital are we still so drawn to film photography?

There really is something extraordinary about the tonality and color rendition of various film stocks — qualities some might suggest simply can’t be replicated digitally. But is there also something about the process of shooting with film itself that positively influences the creative approach? Could it be that the cost, logistics, and timeline of film photography encourage a different mindset, even a different level of commitment, from the photographer behind the camera? Does the perception that every shot “counts” help us to produce better photos? Would we shoot more deliberately if the flexibility and instant gratification of digital photography were stripped away?

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9 tips for beautifully minimalist photos

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“Less is more” is a phrase often attributed to German architect and designer Mies van der Rohe, and although it’s become associated with everything from brevity in writing to anti-consumerist philosophies, the roots come back to a particular visual aesthetic. With this in mind, we’ll draw our understanding of photographic minimalism from the traditional definition of minimalism as it relates to art, architecture, and design. In these contexts, minimalism traditionally refers to visual simplification, stripping all extraneous elements and details to the bare minimum necessary to present the subject. Allow “Less is More” to be your mantra as you shoot for this creativity exercise.

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4 steps to break out of your rut (aka “The Unplanned Diptych”)

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Rather than focusing on technique or compositional principles, this month’s assignment is an exercise in observation, conceptualization, and execution. We’re going to capture a pair of images, and the key to making the most of the exercise is that you not plan too much. Be patient, embrace the process, and permit yourself to be receptive …

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dora sheets by KristyDooley

7 ways to capture contemporary culture with your camera

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We all know that a photograph captures a moment in time, yet so often we extol the merits of a photograph’s “timelessness.” What does it even mean to shoot a photograph that is “timeless”? We define it variously as enduring, abiding, or withstanding the test of time. In characterizing a photograph as timeless, we often …

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food photography from Clickin Moms members

7 unusual and creative ways to approach food photography

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When we think of food photography, we often think of pristine plates and beautiful gourmet styling. Indeed, there is an entire visual art to culinary plating – something we will explore further in a creativity exercise later this year. Right now, however, we’re going to explore the inclusion of food in the frame a bit …

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words in photographs tutorial

4 ways words in the frame make photos more memorable

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A picture may be worth a thousand words, but the direct incorporation of words within the frame itself can powerfully alter, influence, or enhance the viewer’s experience. Generally speaking, highly recognizable or otherwise familiar elements in an image carry the most visual weight for a viewer. For that reason, two of the most visually compelling …

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reflections photography tutorial

8 things you need to know when shooting reflections

8 Comments / Photography Tutorial /

The reflection of light can be characterized in one of two ways. Put simply, when light hits a rough or heterogeneous surface, the light scatters back in many directions as a diffused reflection. When, on the other hand, light strikes a smooth, homogenous surface, it is reflected back in a single direction as an image; this is called a specular reflection, and it’s the mirroring effect we see against glass, water, metal, and other highly polished or glossy surfaces. Early mirrors, in fact, were manufactured from polished obsidian, copper, bronze, copper, and tin.

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visual rhythm photography tutorial

4 types of visual rhythm in photography (and how to create maximum impact)

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Rhythm, a critical component of music, dance, and poetry, is also a quality of great significance in the visual arts. Rhythm may affect the quality of the viewing experience for your audience and help to draw and keep the eye within the frame. Pattern can be thought of a subset of rhythm in that patterns …

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5 tips for beautifully deliberate underexposure

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This month, we’re going to experiment with exposures that are significantly deeper than you’d normally select. Be adventurous and bold. Go beyond your comfort zone. Take what you know of “proper” exposure, and go deeper … not a third of a stop or even a full stop — but a couple of stops. See what …

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creating depth with 3 planes creative photography challenge

7 ways to take pictures with depth and dimension

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This month, let’s focus on creating depth in photographs by shooting images that incorporate a minimum of three distinct planes: foreground, midground, and background. Does it seem simple? It can be, but there are a number of ways you can approach this for particularly captivating results. Consider the following tips (and combinations thereof!): 1. Shoot …

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how to shoot in full sun by Sarah Vaughn

4 ways to shoot beautiful photos in full sun

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Beach photography: Splashing children laughing in the waves. Couples kissing surrounded by nothing but white sand, deep blue sky and turquoise sea. It should be the perfect recipe for dreamy photos, except for one thing. Most often, beach photography equals full, unforgiving, unfiltered sunlight. For many photographers, this can be a scary proposition. Most natural …

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day in the life photography challenge

7 reasons you need to photograph a day in your life

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In January 2012, Clickin Moms posted our first “Day in the Life” photo essay featuring CMpro Sara Seeton. The response was so wonderful that we turned the concept into a Click magazine feature. Now we are challenging you to join in! *images by Alana Rasbach This month, let’s see a day in YOUR life! In …

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how to photograph your significant other tutorial by Sarah Wilkerson

How to photograph your love, spouse, or significant other

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This month, I’d like to challenge you to include your significant other in the frame. I understand that many spouses (mine included!) may resist your efforts a bit. However, you don’t necessarily need him to pose for you, and perhaps he just doesn’t realize how important it is to you (and will one day be …

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high iso color photography creativity exercise tutorial

5 tips for incredible high ISO color photography

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This month, we’re going to shoot images at ISO 3200 or higher. If your camera doesn’t go up to ISO 3200, then shoot at the highest ISO available. If your camera happens to handle high ISO remarkably well (I’m talking to you, fellow D4 owners), embrace the spirit of the exercise and push yourself outside …

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small subject, big world creative photography tutorial

4 tips for more dramatic environmental portraits

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This month, we’ll focus on photographing the immensity of the world around us. Think about emphasizing the height, breadth, or depth of the environment and the elements therein. In many cases, this means shooting landscapes, cityscapes, or other wide angle approaches to nature or architecture. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” …

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