All photographs and content are copyrighted and owned by Martin Glyn Jones 1999-2012
411 Cleveland St., #210, Clearwater, FL 33755
Martin Glyn Jones
Photography
The ‘Off Center’
Portrait Photograph
There is a way to take that photo of someone in front of the Eiffel Tower or
Taj Mahal or Niagara Falls or in the backyard without having it look so static
and boring. Many family photos or kids pictures in the backyard can be
made more interesting by moving the camera over a few centimeters (an
inch or two).
A portrait photograph with the person dead center really is pretty boring. If
you move the camera so that the person is a little bit to the left or right in the
picture it will help draw the viewer into the photo. For example, if you are
taking a portrait photo (read 'family photo' or
'kids picture') on vacation in front of some
tourist attraction, lets make it a little more
interesting:
Instead of having the person stand directly in
front of a structure such as the Washington
Monument or the fishing boat that you just
came back in, have them stand slightly to the
side so that you also have a view of the scene. Put the person in the right
third of the photo. If you want to make it a bit more interesting get them to
turn their shoulders slightly to their right as well. This puts their 'body
language' facing into the picture which will again draw the viewer into the
picture. In the fishing boat example for instance have your fishermand hold
the 'catch' in his or her right hand. In the frame move them to the right side
of the picture. Use the boat to fill in the rest of the picture.
You could try a couple with the person looking at the camera and a couple
with the person looking more in the direction that they are facing.
Do not be afraid to take several pictures. This will help you figure out the
'best' placement in your photos.
There is one minor caution though - that is focus. Most cameras will allow
you to press the shutter button half way down and while continuing to do so
retain the focus. The reason that you would want to do this is that if you
move the camera over, it may 'want' to focus on the background now and
throw the person you are trying to take a picture of out of focus. By holding
the button halfway while you move the camera the focus usually remains the
same. Practice a little and you will see great results.
If you take several pictures you can play with different exposures etc to find
out what works for you. Start simple but take lots of pictures. A little effort
being put into this can start making a wonderful improvement in your
pictures.
Martin Glyn Jones
Photography
The ‘Off Center’
Portrait Photograph
There is a way to take that photo of someone in front of the Eiffel Tower or
Taj Mahal or Niagara Falls or in the backyard without having it look so static
and boring. Many family photos or kids pictures in the backyard can be
made more interesting by moving the camera over a few centimeters (an
inch or two).
A portrait photograph with the person dead center really is pretty boring. If
you move the camera so that the person is a little bit to the left or right in the
picture it will help draw the viewer into the photo. For example, if you are
taking a portrait photo (read 'family photo' or
'kids picture') on vacation in front of some
tourist attraction, lets make it a little more
interesting:
Instead of having the person stand directly in
front of a structure such as the Washington
Monument or the fishing boat that you just
came back in, have them stand slightly to the
side so that you also have a view of the scene. Put the person in the right
third of the photo. If you want to make it a bit more interesting get them to
turn their shoulders slightly to their right as well. This puts their 'body
language' facing into the picture which will again draw the viewer into the
picture. In the fishing boat example for instance have your fishermand hold
the 'catch' in his or her right hand. In the frame move them to the right side
of the picture. Use the boat to fill in the rest of the picture.
You could try a couple with the person looking at the camera and a couple
with the person looking more in the direction that they are facing.
Do not be afraid to take several pictures. This will help you figure out the
'best' placement in your photos.
There is one minor caution though - that is focus. Most cameras will allow
you to press the shutter button half way down and while continuing to do so
retain the focus. The reason that you would want to do this is that if you
move the camera over, it may 'want' to focus on the background now and
throw the person you are trying to take a picture of out of focus. By holding
the button halfway while you move the camera the focus usually remains the
same. Practice a little and you will see great results.
If you take several pictures you can play with different exposures etc to find
out what works for you. Start simple but take lots of pictures. A little effort
being put into this can start making a wonderful improvement in your
pictures.