When your inspiration runs a little dry, try a little exercise to get your photographic taste buds working again.

Here is the process:

Pick up your camera. Now.

You are going to take a picture.

It can be a picture of anything. Don't look for something out of the ordinary. Perhaps a cup on the table, a saucepan, the cat, a shirt, your car. Anything. The subject is unimportant.

But, before you power up and take the snap, spend a few minutes looking at the subject. This is where the exercise pays dividends.

How is the subject lit? Is the lighting pleasing? Do the colours and textures stand out in the best possible way or can you move the subject to get a better lighting scheme?

Look further at your subject. What is the best distance away to stand? Can you fill the frame or do you need to get closer or move further back? What about taking an image of only part of the subject.

Is it going okay so far?

Right. What is the best angle to view the subject from? Left, right, low, high or straight on? Is there any part of the subject t

hat would make that subject look better or is there an angle of view that gives an ordinary subject an unusual and refreshing twist?

What aperture might you like to use? The larger the aperture the shallower the depth of field. Do you want the background to be blurred or are you aiming for maximum focus depth?

There may be other considerations - more exposure, less exposure, polarising filters etc.

Now, with all this in mind, take your picture.

What have you learned about photographing subjects?

 Previous      Next