Christian Photographers Community

Kip May was guest speaker at Kilbuck Photography Guild last evening and I would like to share his tips.  He is a photographer from Bloomington, Indiana.

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1.  Fill up the frame (Simplify by eliminating distracting elements)
*  Move in close, don't leave large empty spaces, fill up the frame with your subject
*  When you fill up the frame with your subject you will eliminate many problems and distractions, at the same time creating images with more impact.
*Train your eye to look up, down, left and right of the frame before releasing the shutter.  The best zoom just might be your own two feet.

2.  Be Conscious of the Background (Simplify your backgrounds)
           Clean, simple, non-distracting backgounds will make your subjects "pop".
*  Not busy, avoid objects 'growing out' of peoples heads
*  Be conscious of what is behind your subject, eliminate distractions by camera angle, depth of field, filling up your frame, waiting for cars, people, etc. to move

3.  Simple light is beautiful light.  Turn off your flash!
*  Make beautiful portraits using simple window light, porch light, garage light, car port light, etc.  Any situation where there is covering overhead and there is light pouring in from the side.
4.  Show Relationships (Don't just have subjects look at the camera and smile)
*  have your subjects look at or interact with each other (hug, touch, kiss, talk...)
*  images that show relationships are more powerful
*  have your subjects look at or interact with an object (a book, flower, pet, etc.)

5.  Don't shoot everything at eye level  (Try different levels, heights and angles)
*  Stoop, kneel, crawl.  For children...get down to their level.
*  lie down, look up, look down
*  Climb up on chairs, ladders, steps.  Explore different levels.

6.  Don't limit yourself to only sunny days
*  Try early morning and late afternoon
*  Overcast days, fog, rain, snow, dark clouds make for great mood images.
*  Sunrise, sunset, nighttime
*  Dramatic weather and conditions make for dramatic images.

7.  Join a photography club...
*  Field trips
*  Exhibitions
*  Guest speakers
*  Tech Tips, workshops
*  Photo shares
*  Newsletter and Web Site
*  Friendly, non competitive atmosphere

*  Take the time.  Make the extra effort.  Go to the little extra trouble to get the picture.  It will be worth the effort.
*  Practice before a trip...know your equipment and what it will do.
Be prepared.  Don't lose an unrepeatable opportunity because you didn't pack an extra battery or enough film.
*  Take more than one exposure.  For those special people, groups and moments take more than one exposure.  Each moment is unrepeatable.  Don't just hope that everyone will have their eyes open and all expressions will look good.  When the moment is priceless and fleeting...film is cheap.
Tke responsiblity for your photographic journey:
*  Study other photographers work
*  Go to workshops.  There are 100's every year.  You'll learn and grow!
*  Can't make a workshop?  Study on the web!  Some great sites are...

www.takegreatpictures.com
www.betterphoto.com/photocourses/VIK01.asp
Monte Zucker:  http://www.montezucker.com/
Tim and Beverly Walden"  http://www.waldensphotography.com/
Tim Kelly:  http://www.timkellyportraits.com/
Michael Redford:  http://redfordseminars.com/
No BS - A photographers forum to learn and share:  http://www.nobsphotosuccess.com
Asuka Books (Coffee Table Art Books):  http://asukabook.com/

And yes, Kip May Photography...the author of these tips has a website also... www.kipmay.com

Thank you so much Etta sue for posting these tips, I amg oing to use them to better my photography.

Me too!

Thanks, Etta Sue.  I plan to check all of this out and pass the sites along to Amanda.  She is taking some terrific photo's these days...

Etta Sue, thanks for sharing these tips and sites.

Those are good tips.  Thanks for posting

Moving in close is actually a problem for me.  I tend to not leave myself the option of doing any cropping if I need to later which makes for difficulty when printing unless I add a border!      

Sara

Etta Sue, have you had anymore tips like this to share?

I printed these out when you first posted them and find myself constantly checking them.

Pat, Yes!  In fact, it was the same photographer that we listened to Monday night.  He gave us a paper that is "7 (more) Ways to Add Creativity to your Photography".  I will do them for everyone soon!

Oh, that's great, Etta Sue!  I'll look forward to them.

Etta Sue, thank you so much for posting these great tips and links.

Love,

Thanks, Karen.  But from the looks of your photographs, you don't need any more tips!  We could all learn from you!