Jesse Brown’s with Capture Happy Photography
We had the pleasure of hosting our man Micheal C. Hernandez from Capture Happy photography here at Jesse Brown’s. No, seriously. It was more than a pleasure, actually. Michael dropped tons of knowledge about how to take rock star pictures no matter what kind of camera or phone you’re using. Whether you’re headed to the park, the mountains, or a backyard barbecue, the rules are the same. Apply them to make ordinary photo opportunities extraordinary. And as Micheal says, once you learn them, then you’ll know how to break them to take ever better pics!
Here’s what we learned!
Lighting is everything.
Early light and late day light make for the best picture taking. They don’t call it the “golden hour” for no reason! If you’re shooting outdoors, these are times you’ll want to have your camera at the ready. And always have the sun at your back.
Obey the rule of thirds.
Your view screen is divided into thirds. Most cameras have this grid visible, and now you know what it’s used for! Check the camera on your phone, too. Respecting this balance gets you a end result that’s a real eye pleaser!
Keep it rock steady.
Nothing ruins that perfect shot like the shakes. There are plenty of ways to steady that camera, like leaning against a wall, table or tree. Want to really kick it up? Invest in a simple tripod. Yes, there are even inexpensive models that will hold your iPhone, too!
Let the camera do (some of) the work
If your camera has a “P” mode, set it to that and let the camera do some of the work. Then you can concentrate on composition.
Selfies are not as interesting as you may think.
Yes, make your pictures be about YOUR experience… but before you shoot, think about how you want to remember where you are and what you’re doing. As Michael says, everyone’s seen the ”postcard image” of the Taj Mahal. But what did YOU see there that made it meaningful to you, and could be of interest to someone else.
Perspective changes things.
Look at your subject from a different angle. Get close. Get low, go high. You and those with whom you’ll share the pictures may see something in a whole new light. And frame your shots so you don’t have to crop later.
Pro tip. If you really like a picture, print it. If you plan to keep your pictures on a digital format, back them up. Twice.
Bottom line, pictures and photography can show and create all sorts of emotion. And if you want to improve your ability, take your camera everywhere and photograph everything that catches your eye. Shoot with intent, passion and purpose and you’ll create lasting memories!