Photo Guide Series

A how-to selection of photo tips and digital solutions

Little things can make big differences

     You have studied your camera manual  to the point where it is now boring to look at it again. You are comfortable with your camera and it has become an extension of your body. Over the years you have settled on certain films/chromes for their overall sharpness and  color pallets  they offer for your style of shooting.  Now your goal is to see dramatic improvement in your images and decrease the number of images that go to the trash bin. You want the processed image to match the vision you had in your minds eye prior to opening the shutter. 

     In the beginning of my photographic journey a photographer and family friend viewing my initial work suggested that I concentrate on the little things (the basics) that all work together to make up the whole. Little things can and do make big differences. It's true in life, work, our relationships and it's certainly true in photography.

     Ansel Adams spent years, following the making of his famous landscapes, in the darkroom working toward the vision he had of the images prior to opening the shutter. They were not all big changes but little changes that made the difference...a little dodging here ...a little burning there.

     I will confess that during the initial stages of my journey I equated needed improvement  with newer more expensive equipment...when the problem was not the equipment but my camera practices.  As photographers, whether in the studio or the great outdoors, light is our most powerful tool. In simple terms we use instruments to measure it and a box with an adjustable hole in the front to control the amount of light entering. Whether we spend several thousand or a hundred dollars for a camera our best results depend more on our software than our hardware. Scott Smith in his book on Studio Lighting said it well," it's not all the hardware that makes a photographer good at what she/he does...it's the software between the ears....it's what we know about the hardware and light and how we apply it." Knowledge is power. 

     A general truth is..."if you continue to do the same things you have always done, you will continue to get the same results you always get." For the most part we are all tend to be creatures of habit. If we want to get different results then we must be willing to do things a little differently. NGS photographer  Bill Allard said, "The difference between a nice picture and a really fine one is often a matter of inches...move your vision six inches and you can make a tremendous change."  Little things can make big differences.

     A little camera shake can make a big difference in that once in a lifetime shot being an award winner or fodder for the fire. To facilitate sharpness we shoot with a shutter speed at least one or even two over the reciprocal of the lens focal length, we use a tripod and cable release, use mirror lock-up when the shutter speed is 1/30 to 1/2 second or image stabilization/reduction lens, and we brace the camera by whatever means available. Depending upon available light and subject distance we use a flash or faster ISO film. 

     Today's modern films have progressed to the point that labs have a difficult time finding grain to use as a focus aid. If you shoot film, especially 35mm, you can increase the appearance of sharpness by over exposing from as little as 1/3 to 1/2 stop. Pro labs tell us that films have at least two layers of grains...a coarse layer of high speed grain and a finer slow speed grain. When you overexpose as per the above recommendation more of the finer grains fill in the spaces between the coarser grains giving the appearance of a sharper image. Little things can make a difference.

     I receive a monthly email from a stock agency that handles stock for the European market. Not a month goes by that this agency does not request that it's contributors increase the number of vertical compositions submitted. The majority of their clients purchase verticals three times more than horizontals compositions. Vertical compositions are more suited for single page layouts, advertising and commercial printing. Of course there are certain subjects that demand to be shot as a horizontal, however a little thing like composing as many verticals as horizontals can make a difference is stock sales as well as improve the variety of our portfolio.

     A photographer that shoots 4x5 or 8x10 sheet film generally has a slower methodology in preparation for each shot. Unless we are in a fast breaking situation calling for fast shutter response, rushing the shot usually results in taking rather than making pictures. A little thing like slowing your photographic process down by using a simple step-by-step procedure or methodology can make a big difference in our images. However, the process needs to be  practical or it is just wasted effort.

     The basics of composing usually begins with the rules of thirds for your center of interest then working to add balance in terms of form, color, light and shadows, frames and leading lines. The rules are important to harmony, balance and grace, yet once learned, can lead to sameness and staleness if we are afraid to experiment, to break the rules if it works to achieve your vision of the image.

     The auto focus systems on today's modern cameras are almost foolproof and almost ideal for every situation.....the key word is almost. Unless I am in a fast breaking situation where I am needing to depend on the auto-focus and auto-tracking system of my camera, I spend a good deal of time verifying my focus selection and depth of field using the manual mode. I find that this is critical especially when I am shooting 35mm with the intent of printing 8x10's or larger. When a 35mm negative is enlarged the focus is spread over a larger area it gives a slightly softer appearance. Spending a little extra time verifying your focus selection and depth of field, especially when using longer focal length lens or doing close up work may be a little thing but can make a big difference in the final image.

Interested in Learning More?

     We offer four (4) weekend photography workshops a year. The workshops consists of a total of 16 hours of instruction divided between classroom and field work. Workshops are limited to ten participants. Our next workshop is scheduled for September 2007. For more information on our workshops click on the following hyperlink: Mississippi Photography Workshops or give us a call or send email for schedule and fees.

Digital or Film?

     The image of the squirrel above was made with a pro grade digital Nikon D2X in RAW format. The resolution, color and sharpness were surprising to say the least. In the January 2006 segment of Photo Guide we will be discussing how digital is closing the gap on film. Click on the "next" button below to read other tips.