Rule of Thirds

Interested in more photography secrets? I hope so! Here's one that is guaranteed to increase the quality of your photos...and unlike last week's (which while super important was a teeny bit technical) this one is easy to incorporate into your everyday snapshots.

It's called the Rule of Thirds; I learned this one while studying photography, painting, AND design while in college. The deal is you divide your image into nine sections by two equally-spaced horizontal and vertical lines. Those four lines should ideally correlate to important features within your photograph. Additionally, the four intersections created these line can highlight features of your image. This is a very simple method of increasing visual interest in your subject.

Here is an example of a cute picture of The Cutest Puppy Ever where I didn't employ the technique (he's still adorable!):
So I've taken a step forward, flipped it vertically, turned on my flash, and employed the rule of thirds...here's the result:


I'd like to illustrate further what I mean by The Rule of Thirds; if you're like me, my above description won't hold a candle to this: Now does,

The deal is you divide your image into nine sections by two equally-spaced horizontal and vertical lines. Those four lines should ideally correlate to important features within your photograph. Additionally, the four intersections created these line can highlight features of your image.

make more sense? There are two lines that run across the image, and two that run up and down. If you are taking a picture with a horizon line, or a table line, or any horizontal line...if you place that line on one of those two guidelines you're pretty much sure of a good shot. Similarly, if you are taking pictures of a cliff, or a building, or people in front of a cliff or building, place those big details on the guidelines.

In this image, I wasn't working with architectural or geographical landmarks, but those far closer to home. The rules work there as well. The pillow functioned as horizontal lines, and The Cutest Puppy Ever provided vertical. Better yet, his cute little button nose (!) fell right into one of the intersections, which makes for an even stronger composition as it gives your eye a natural place to rest.

No worries, the Rule of Thirds is a forgiving rule. You don't need to be exact; more than anything you need to avoid placing horizontal and vertical lines in dead center of your photograph...while that might be the obvious composition and is perfectly fine, it won't be the extraordinary photograph you are striving towards!

Mostly, enjoy taking those photos of your beautiful subjects! Snap away and don't be afraid to be creative...you'll be amazed at the amazing photographs you'll take!

Flash dance

In my last photo tips post, I told you to use your flash ALWAYS when taking pictures of your children, and that, "in just about every situation, having the flash on makes for a better shot."

But Robin asked:

What if you find the flash (indoors, at night) is washing your subject out? I've tried it without a flash but then the exposure is too long to be practical and things come out all blurry. With the flash I'm taking pictures of pasty white ghosts. Help please!

Ahhh, yes...flash wash-out is the risk you run when using the flash all the time. However, it can often be avoidable...the key is you don't want your flash to be the MAIN source of light. When shooting outdoors during daylight hours, the sun is obviously the main source of light. The flash then serves to even out shadows; photographers call a similar technique "fill flash" because you are filling in those dark spaces with light.

But what if you're shooting indoors? Open up the blinds if it is during the day, turn on all the lights. Do whatever you can to get as much light on your subject so that your flash isn't the main source of light. If that isn't sufficient to reduce the wash-out, try taking a step or two back so that the light from the flash isn't as concentrated. I know, is is in direct opposition to my first photo tip which was to compose your image and then take one pace forward. However, if you find you have to take a step backwards to reduce flash wash-out, you can compensate for that by using your zoom feature to get that composition back where it had been. I wish there were a specific formula I could give you, but we are all shooting here with different camera styles and brands here; individual flashes may be calibrated differently, depending upon the manufacturers' anticipated use/target audience for that particular unit. Play around with the technique, see what works and what doesn't. And feel free to send me some of the results if you'd like me to help troubleshoot with you.

Ultimately, the sad fact is, sometimes your photos will have that washed out effect, because sometimes there just isn't enough light other than the flash. When that happens to me I shrug my shoulders and acknowledge that even the most fabulous professional fashion photographers take "snapshots."

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In the Fast Lane kindly shared with me a couple of photos of her gorgeous family. I've picked one of the incredible Violet...here is the original:It is a beautiful shot as is, lovely subject, setting, and overall very evocative....but I do think we could make it a bit better. Here's the image after doing my best to Photoshop taking a step forward and adding a fill flash: Now we can see Violet's pretty face, and some of the extraneous stuff that isn't really part of the subject matter is eliminated. I really like it like this. I luuuuuuuuuuuurve window seats and keeping that context visible makes it a really sweet, cozy scene. It tells a story.

However, I am not one known for leaving well enough alone, so I went ahead and "took" the picture vertically:
It's got a totally different feel, doesn't it? I had to essentially take another step forward for this one, just because I was working in the digital world not the real world. I like this version as well; while it doesn't tell the story because all background is gone, it is a lovely photograph of a beautiful girl. We focus now more on her face, her gestures, her body language.

Send me your pictures, and happy shooting!

Not your average tutorial

Tutorial can be a daunting word; I am striving to change that image.

Have you read my first two photography posts? They are guidelines to help the everyday photographer take photographs like a professional. I may be writing myself out of a job here, but taking a quality photograph is achievable by anyone. My tutorials explain, in non-tech language, basic guidelines that will help you elevate your snaphots to photographic art.

Today I am breaking my trend and sharing not one but three tips that you can easily incorporate in your photo-taking. Combine them with my first two and you just might not need to ever pay studio prices again.

First...don't ask your kids to, "Say Cheeeeeese!" I can't tell you how many perfect images I had in my viewfinder before some well-meaning parent instructed their child to SMILE! It might sound like a good idea at the time (and believe me, when I am taking snapshots of my kids I sometimes find myself fighting the urge), but I promise you...your favorite pictures of your children won't be those with the plastered-on grins. Your favorites will be the ones that capture their real spirit and personality, which is only visible when they are unselfconscious. That cheesy grin is a mask over their real selves...and nothing is more precious than that.

Secondly, take it outside! As long as the weather won't destroy your camera, you can bet that going outside for a mini photo-session will usually help you capture your child at their most authentic. Let the kids play and just shoot...don't censor yourself or them. Go ahead and take a picture of them as they spin past you on the merry-go-round. You might get an amazing shot! Or, stand at the top of a slide and shoot as your child slides down...you'll be amazed at how much you love that shot later. Best yet, creep up on them as they are engaged in some quiet play time and catch them unawares.


Lastly, for today, I'd like to encourage you to use your flash ALL THE TIME. That's right, just override your camera's ability to decide for itself if it needs the extra lighting and use it ALWAYS. In a super sunny situation, the flash helps get rid of annoying facial shadows - which aren't flattering to anyone. In a back lit situation (that means, for example, your child is sitting in a window seat through which sun is streaming; it creates a silhouette), the flash makes sure the subject is lit. In just about every situation, having the flash on makes for a better shot.

The bottom line is, no-one will ever be able to take better photographs of your children than you. They will never comfortable with a strange photographer, so with you behind the camera, images of their true selves will be possible. What more does a parent want?

More next week!

Flip it. Flip it, good!

Thanks for all of the wonderful feedback on my Photo Tips last week...if you sent me photos or questions, I promise I'll get back to you all!

So last week I advised you to take a step forward when taking pictures...eliminating extraneous background information in a photograph is really a fabulous way to up the quality of your photographs. Today I'm going to build upon that and add another photo fundamental.

Look at this adorable photograph the Fabulous Mrs. Fussypants sent to me of a couple of her monkeys (note the laptop...gee, look familiar?):



Look how cute they are! Dang, how can I improve upon the adorableness?

FLIP IT! One thing we all tend to do is take our photographs horizontally. Turn that camera 90 degrees and take that photograph vertically...portrait style, baby!


See how that automatically crops out a lot of extra background stuff and focuses on the adorable monkeys, the subject of the photo? Let's add last week's tip and take a step forward:



Awwww...look at that. See how your eye is drawn to the sweet tangle of brotherly hands, the protective embrace, the trust and snuggliness evident in their body language? The love oozes out of the photo. It was always there, but NOW we are focussed on it!

These are really simple things that can make a huge difference in your everyday family photos. Take a step forward to eliminate visual distractions from your subject...and don't forget to FLIP your camera vertically. It will help you further focus on your subject and create the lasting memory you desire.

Professional photographers take the majority of their portraits vertically, so remember...shoot like a pro and flip it!

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Bonus for Fussy...a little photoshopping thank you for sharing your photo:



If you'd like me to feature your photo in one of these tutorials, email me!

First steps first

I've given much thought on this first "Photography Tutorial." Its hard to determine what is THE foundation of a good photograph.

Many things crossed my mind, but today, I have to reach back and remember what my mentors taught me...what their best advice was.

Take a step forward.

That's it. Compose your photograph, no matter what it is, and then walk one pace forward. For now, everything else can remain the same. Just keep your subject in the viewfinder and walk towards it. THEN snap the picture.

I can't tell you how many times this simple advice has, for me, elevated a fine picture into a great one. It sounds too easy and simple to be true, but yet it is the best advice I've ever been given. Too often we include what we think is important background information in our photographs. You DON'T need it. What's important is your subjects...they tell the story of your photograph, not their surroundings. Believe me, the backdrop will still be in the image, and will be all the stronger for not dominating the photograph.

So, easy enough. Tomorrow, pick up your camera and start to snap some shots of whatever inspires you. Just take one step forward...it's your first step into being the photographer you know is inside you.

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Want some personal advice? Send me a link to one of your photos...maybe I'll do a 'critique' of it here (I'll be kind, I promise), complete with an 'after' that is yours...a free Photoshop make-over! If you don't want your photograph featured here but still want some free advice, I'm happy to help.

In the words of my much beloved Perry Farrell, "Here we GO!"

Pssssssssssssssst...I have a secret

When I was in sixth grade, I was in the backseat of a friend's car and next to me were three huge boxes overflowing with a plethora of smaller green boxes. When I asked what they were, her dad responded, "Film. I work for Fuji." For some reason, this was as cool and astonishing to me as if he'd said he was a Famous Movie Star. I couldn't believe I was in the presence of someone who worked in the photography industry. The world of photography, for some reason, seemed so exotic and exciting and creative and FANCY (fancy being important when you're twelve).

Isn't that weird? Not only that I had that reaction, but that it is something that I remember so vividly?

Years later, when I was a senior in high school, my mom gave to me that Christmas a camera over which I'd pined for months. She couldn't afford it, but somehow she managed to get it for me...I remember the delight and surprise I felt when I opened that box. I used that camera for years; all through my college photography courses, and it served me well in my first photography free-lance years.

For some reason, photography is something to which I have always been drawn...and I can say it, something for which I have a gift. Sometimes I think it's odd that I was drawn to it for years before I'd even clicked a shutter, and other times I think that makes perfect sense.

The thing is, cameras with their little digital minds are now so amazing that they take away any need to have the technical know-how. And you know what? Much of good composition, the foundation of successful picture-taking, is actually easily learned. You don't need to be born with "the eye." You can learn it, and I'm thrilled to be starting a series to help you do just that.

I know, I know...there are a 17,643,912 websites out there dedicated to photography tips. My series will be different in a variety of ways, but mostly in that I'm not going to try and teach you how to become a professional photographer. I want you to be able to take amazing, fabulous photographs of your family and friends. You don't need to hire a professional photographer (but don't tell my clients that, teehee); you can do it yourself. Not only can you do it, you can do it better than a professional...better, and of course, at a fraction of the cost to you.

I'm also not going to get all technical on your ass...this is just the fundamentals of composition which, when broken down and then reassembled, add up to wonderful photographs. Each tip will be helpful on its own, but the more you implement in each photograph, the better that picture will be!

Look for the first secret tomorrow!