Preachdude Loc: Geneva, OH

Thirty years ago in a camera club I learned the difference between taking snapshots and making pictures. Snapshots are simply a visual record of a particular moment of time and of place. Making a picture or creating an image means sharing a visual perspective and telling a visual story that others can appreciate. I was taught to place my subject on or near one of the intersections of lines formed in the "rule of thirds" imagined in the viewfinder. (Digital cameras can display this now.) I learned to use camera perspective to tell a visual story, drawing the viewer into the image. I learned to eliminate foreground clutter by lowering the camera. I learned to keep the horizon level except for special purposes. I learned to control how much empty sky I have in landscape images by paying close attention to what shows in the viewfinder. Then there's controlling depth of field with the diaphram, using the self-timer or a remote release to increase sharpness, etc.

I'm posting this with the hope that others on this forum will share some of their favorite techniques for creating images that are memorable for people other than the photographer. Yes, there's lots of books on the subject, but I'm looking for personal favorites. Comments???

Morning Star Loc: West coast, North of the 49th N.

There are indeed lots of books on the subject, I've read some of them, and find there is too much to remember. To top it off, they don't all agree with each other either!
For focus I often rely on the camera's capability: I use auto-focus a lot.
For aperture and exposure I sometimes rely on the camera - especially when I'm taking photos of the grandkids. They can't sit still long enough for me to think through the settings I want, therefore depending on the light and depth of field I would like, I set the Aperture, then let the camera decide on Exposure. Whenever possible, I keep ISO at the manufacturer's recommended 200, although I turn it up fairly high before noise becomes a problem. There are many other settings on the camera, white balance, "art" effects, exposure compensation, etc.
If I know I have the time to think through a photo, I will play with the settings myself, and very carefully look at what will and will not be included in the photo (composition).
Well, those are the main parts of my "technique" - I'm sure similar to many others!
Even though I've had this camera for two years now, I still sit down with "the book" (camera's manual, or Gary Friedmann's book) once in a while, and flip through it till I find something I'd like to try out. Then try it. Our fireplace and tv screen are the most photographed "subjects" in our house :-)

SonyBug

I am just starting to set up presets in the camera for portraits, landscapes, etc. Then switch rapidly depending on scene. And I agree with the most photographed spot in the house!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

The techniques I taught my students at the University of Vermont in photography were.

Start with a positive attitude..like saying "Today is the day that I am going to create some great images" Notice the word create.

Then I would share the SALE technique

Subject..How do I want to portray my subject? Get an emotional connection.
Angle. Walk around the subject looking for a good perspective, moving up and down as you move. Some of you may have to learn to walk on water :roll:
Lighting. Is the lighting right for the landscape or do I need to come back another time to get the light right?
Exposure combination...The correct Aperture or shutter speed combination to capture the image you have in your head.Freeze action, blur the background, etc

Hope that helps

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

PixelStan77 - I like your SALE technique. Have already shared it with others and will make it a permanent part of my mental approach to creating photographs. Thank you, sir!

tomvanb Loc: Anthem, AZ

thank you for SALE it seems that it can help me to remember what should be done before releasing the shutter, Tom

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Who are you shooting for?
Just for yourself, other photographers, or "clients"?
"Clients" being family, friends, people who ask you to take photographs of them and people who ask you to cover an event.

To me photography is about light and "moments".
That means being patient, very observant, and having the necessary technical skills to capture what you and/or you "client" wants.

When actually shooting I do work the subject, time permitting, have no distracting elements in the image, if possible, be at one with the camera and be very alert.

I will use camera automation when it is feasible to do so and know my camera's limits, or what I am will to accept.

Lots of practice shooting different subjects and in different (sometimes difficult) lighting conditions helps a lot.
The skills you learn with one type of photography may be almost directly transferable to other types of photography.

I am just a hobbyst.

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Memorable Images - boy does that cover a lot of ground, at least for me. First, knowing how to use the camera to its fullest potential. What are its strength and weaknesses? Second, the creation of the photograph itself as already described. Third, knowing how to use your PP software to further enhance the story or message that you are wanting to tell. For me the second has been the most difficult of the three. Unlike some I don't have the "eye" that easily results in outstanding or exceptional images. I have been taking pictures now for almost 40 years and it is still a slow (and sometimes painful) process for me to get that "ideal" photograph. But would not trade the experience for anything.

cmc4214 Loc: S.W. Pennsylvania

I often like o go out on a limb, break the "rules", sometimes with great success, sometimes a dismal failure (all part of the learning process) I find that often I learn more from the failures than the successes.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I think most serious amatures desire to move from just taking pictures to making art. At least I do. No matter the steps or thought processes, it takes lots of work and practice practice practice. Something I don't do enough of. Master the technology and train the brain to focus on the result and not the scene. I've been mentoring an established artist who has a very sophisticated camera to take pictures to paint. Has no interest in the technology but has tremendous artistic vision. I just the opposite. Hopefully the twain can meet.

:D

WOOF Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Great TIPS everyone. I am aware of some, but not all. My biggest problem is taking time and remembering everything. I seem to get in a hurry to often and spoil the picture, but I am working on it, and this forum helps me a lot.

Thanks to all of you.

WOOF

cucharared Loc: Texas, Colorado

Put me on the list of "thankies" for the SALE technique. Good stuff there, as well as several other posts in this thread.

ron

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Memorable images have meaning for YOU but not others. I think you want to capture compelling images. They key ingredient is light and composition. The story element is part of the composition. Rules of thirds, leading lines, corner exists, repeating patterns, shapes and textures are all part of composition. To achieve good composition includes technique, DOF, exposure, use of flash, and a bit of pre-visualization, etc, BUT the kicker is the illusive LIGHT, whether that is controlled in a studio or patiently captured in the early morning or late afternoon. Photography is light. Its very name is derived from light. There are few here that understand this. Most think that the issue with their photography is camera and lenses. It is not. Most with rather discuss the tangible technology than the intangible art. Everyday, I find this forum less of the place I want to be.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

For those of you that liked my SALE technique I have a PowerPoint Presentation entitled "Light is our Language" that I have given to several camera clubs. If you have PowerPoint and want to PM me with your email, I would be glad to send it to you.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

My my... All those "rules" you've learned!

Yes, they're excellent, classic guidelines for making a "good image".

In addition to those, here are my personal "rules" (in hopes of occasionally making a "great image" ):

#1 Rule: Learn all the rules of composition... then break them!

#2. Look at things from different perspectives and never be satisfied with the first shot of a subject... move around and take more shots from different angles. That first shot might be the best possible, but you'll never know for sure, unless you try some others.

#3a. If "there's nothing to photograph", you simply haven't looked closely enough. There is ALWAYS something to photograph! But...

#3b. Sometimes the best thing to do is stop shooting, put the camera away and just spend some time looking/watching/enjoying.

#4. Try to avoid deleting an image in the field. Wait until you can check it out on a larger monitor. I've had more than a few "pleasant surprises".

#5. Don't be an "ass with a camera". My shooting should never get in the way of someone else's shooting or spectating (unless they are being an ass, in which case anything goes! :roll: )

#6. You know, that camera can take still photos in a vertical (portrait) orientation too? I've seen photographers produce hundreds, even thousands of horizontal (landscape) orientation figures, without taking even a single one vertical! I wonder if they even know the camera is able to do that! (The opposite is true with video... which should almost never be shot in vertical orientation... though it too often is.) I try to "mix it up"... some horizontal shots and some verticals.

#7. "Upgrade" less often... Mostly only do so when your gear is worn out or you can specifically state something your current kit can't do, that you need it to do. Rarely does an upgrade improve anyone's photography. More often, it puts them back to square one, re-learning how to get the best out of the camera or lens or whatever.

#8. Get closer, fill the viewfinder. But...

#9. Do no harm. Sometimes you need to keep your distance and avoid disturbing subjects (example: nesting birds).

#10. If your autofocus camera is "beeping" and your subject is moving, you are probably using the wrong AF mode and most of your shots will miss focus.

#11. Don't blame the gear... 97 times out of 100 when something doesn't work out it's the user's fault, even if it's just not knowing the limitations, strengths and weaknesses of the gear. But...

#12. Don't be afraid to fail. You'll never learn your personal or your gear's limitations, unless you try things and push the limits. Supposedly Thomas Edison tried and failed hundreds of times before he was finally successful inventing a practical light bulb.

#13. You never know where inspiration will come from. Supposedly one of Edison's more successful light bulbs used a carbonized bamboo filament, the idea for which came from examining a fishing pole he was relaxing with while on a trip to Wyoming. So "gone fishing" doesn't necessarily mean you're goofing off! (Also see #3b, above).

#14a. Use a tripod as much as you can... Yes, it will help steady your shot. But perhaps more importantly, it's a more deliberate and thoughtful way of shooting.

#14b. Whatever your budget for a tripod, double it. A quality tripod can last a lifetime, plus a good one is much more likely you'll actually use it.

#15a. Don't get too "comfortable" in your work or be afraid to try something new. I think that figuring out how to deal with new challenges helps keep me and my work fresher. Some photographers shoot the same thing over and over and over... They may get very good at it, too. But, I know if it were me, I'd get bored and the quality of my work would suffer.

#15b. When it effects someone else, you may need to rein in your enthusiasm a bit. For example, IMO someone with little experience and a limited kit of gear should never tackle a wedding shoot on their own. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event for the B&G, very emotion-packed, needs to be done right within a very tight and hectic time frame... and there are rarely any "do overs". All this makes weddings one of the most challenging events to photograph. You can't just "wing it"... So if it's something you want to try, sign up to work with an experienced, successful wedding pro, as their second shooter, a few times to learn the ropes. When it's something as important as this to someone else, learn it before agreeing to try to do it by yourself!