Our eyes and brain work
together to capture the visual world around us. The eye has no boundaries;
it scans the scene changing focus seamlessly. We are not consciously
aware of the process. If we want to see something, we do. The images
stream into our brain like a video image, constant and uninterrupted.
A still camera is different,
very different.
The camera captures the scene in a restricted rectangular
frame. The photographer uses the window the camera looks through to
decide where to place that frame.
Our eyes see the world in three dimentions (stereo vision). We perceive
a sense of distance and perspective. The camera converts this world
into a flat two-dimensional image.
The camera captures the scene in chunks of time: short time to freeze
motion or long time to blur motion.
The photographer
has many creative choices.
Once the technical aspects of lighting and exposure are
resolved, the photographer can use many tools to interpret the scene
and create exciting, compelling images.
Framing:
making order out of the chaos
The photographer sees the complete scene and must
decide what to include and more importantly, what to exclude. This
visual editing isn't always obvious. The photographer should experiment
and try many options to determine what best represents the vision they
want to share.
Horizontal
or Vertical
Most cameras take rectangular images, not square or
circular. Computer printers call it landscape and portrait, referring
to the photographic composition. Most cameras are designed to take
horizontal images by default. It is up to the photographer to rotate
the camera to see what the composition can be. Look for design elements
such as strong linear elements that lend themselves to horizontal
or vertical placement. The photographer needs to pay attention to
placement of shapes and lines in the frame. It is not always obvious
what orientation is best, so try them all.
Angles
and different points of view
Tilting the camera and placing the camera high or low
in relation to the subject can alter the viewers perception of the
image.
Cropping in the camera
Maximize your capture
Move in close
Capture Details
Object placement
Edges
Breaking the frame
Balance
Foreground/ Background
Size, position and point of view
Line form color
Light and shadow
Motion
Focus