Macro Photography

Macro photography or close-up photography is used when the photographer wants to bring out certain details of the subject. The subject of macro photos are specific parts of an object you want to bring focus to. The subject is in focus while the background is thrown out of focus, using the small depth of field concept. Macro photography is a photograph where the subject is magnified to life size or greater. In macro photography, objects look different than what once thought when they are magnified. 

Depth of field determines how much of your image is in focus and is created by changing the aperture size. To create a macro photo your aperture setting needs to be large, which will allow the subject to be in focus and the background to be blurred. This setting is effective for close-ups and detail shots. 

Lighting is the key to successful macro photography. Proper lighting will help bring out the details you want to capture in your subject. Natural light is the best option when taking this type of photo. Avoid using the built in flash with this type of photo, because it will wash out the detail of your macro shot. 

Having good focus is the most difficult aspect of macro photography. Using manual focus will yield the best results. To begin learning how to take macro photos, first photograph a stationary object then experiment with taking macro photos of moving objects. In order to capture the detail you want it may take a few attempts.

If you are not comfortable with the manual settings, there should be a macro control on your camera. This is typically represented by a small flower on your camera’s settings dial. This setting allows your camera lens come closer to the subject. 

Any movement in the camera while taking a macro shot will be noticed in the photo. Using a tripod will eliminate any movement and help create a sharp and clear photograph.

Macro photography allows the photographer to focus on a specific detail of the subject and can be a helpful photojournalism tool. There are several rules a photographer must follow when creating detailed shots. This function allows the viewer a new look at the object that is being photographed.

How to Take iphone Photos

In journalism news can happen anywhere and at anytime. A journalist might not have a camera on them at all times, so the next best thing is to use an iphone. Taking a photo on an iphone may be simpler than using an SLR camera, but there are several things a photographer needs to be aware of to take well-composed iphone photos.

Before shooting turn the camera grid lines on, a function that can be found in the photo settings. These lines are very helpful when composing a photograph. They divine the picture into 9 equal boxes and help the photographer compose the image using the rule of thirds. 
After turning the grid boxes on, the photographer should position themselves for the shot. If the subject of the photo is far away do not zoom with the slider at the bottom of the screen. The zoom slider often creates a grainy or blurry picture. The best way to get closer to the subject is by moving yourself to a better position for the photograph. 
Lighting can make or break a photo and the same is true when using your iphone to take a photo. Lighting can help the subject of the photo stay in focus, while making a picture more interesting. Along with lighting, there are two settings that can better the image quality of the iphone photo, the AE/AF lock. These can be turned on by tapping the screen in the area where you would like the camera to focus on and expose for, and waiting for the box to bounce two times. By doing this you have asked the camera to focus on an area and expose for that particular area. These functions help capture a more detailed shot or help the lighting composition of the photo. 
Another setting that can be used on the iphone is the HDR setting. The HDR setting takes exposures from three different photos and combines them to create one well-lit photo. It is best to stand as still as possible when using the HDR setting, because the photos may be blurry if the photographer is moving.

            Using an iphone to take journalistic photos may not be ideal, but if you are put into a situation where it is the only thing available you should know how to take the best photo you can with the resources you have.  

           

Portrait Photography

A portrait is a representation of a person, where the focus is on a person's face depicting their expression or mood. The photographer must realize the photo is about the subject. In order to portray the subject in an appealing and accurate manner you must make them comfortable. The more comfortable the subject is the less posed the shot will look. If the subject is doing something that they enjoy the photographer can capture some natural shots and candid expressions.

To emphasize your subject, use shallow depth of field to keep your subject in focus and your background out of focus. The photo must be composed well, this will draw the viewer’s eyes to the right places and an interesting setting will also make the portrait more interesting.

Make sure there is good lighting, either natural or artificial light. Creating a silhouette of the subject can create emotion and make the portrait photograph more powerful. Lighting is essential to a well-shot portrait.

Always consider the colors that are within the shot. If the photo is taken in color, try to choose a color that compliments the subject. A darker background will provide contrast and help the subject stand out.

The straight-on shot of a person is the typical portrait pose, but to make your photos more unique, try different angles. You could get below or above the subject or try turning the camera in a different direction than straight on. Being creative can turn into something very interesting.

In a portrait, eye contact can create a connection between the subject and the viewer and can enhance the portrait. There are several ways to capture the subject’s eyes that can leave a lasting impression on the viewer. First, having the subject look off camera. If the subject focuses on something outside of the frame it can intrigue the viewer because they imagine what the subject is looking at. Next, looking within the frame, where the subject is looking at something or someone within the frame. The viewer now has a second point of interest and this creates a relationship between the subjects.

Using a prop to enhance a photo can be tricky. If the prop adds a story, while not taking too much emphasis away from the subject, it can be beneficial. 

Learning to take a good portrait is essential to any photographer. Capturing the best moment requires some persistence and skill, but the learning the basics isn't too difficult and can improve the quality of your portraits. 

Composition and Framing

The manner in which an image is composed can change the look and feel of a photo. A basic principle behind photography is the rule of thirds principle. To create the rule of thirds, visualize breaking down an image down into thirds (horizontally and vertically) so that there are 9 portions. With this grid, the rule of thirds now singles out four important parts of the image that you should think about placing points of interest in as you frame your photo. The idea is that, if you put the points of interest in the intersecting lines that your photo becomes more balanced and will be more enjoyable to view. Avoid placing the subject in the center of the photograph. Placing the subject to the side is more interesting. Using the rule of thirds in composition is essential to creating a successful photograph.

                                                                      Rule of Thirds

When taking a photo of a person be mindful of the background and try to avoid lines and objects coming out of the subject’s head, because they can be very distracting to the viewer. The background needs to compliment the subject and not compete with it.

Controlling the depth of field can also enhance the composition. Depth of field is the term used to describe what is inside the focused area of your image and what is left outside of the focused area. Depth of field can be broken into two parts, small and large. Small depth of field means that a small portion of the picture is in focus, with some parts being blurred. Large depth of field means a large portion of the picture is in focus, including things up front and in the background of the picture.

                                                             Large Depth of Field 

Small Depth of Field

Framing the subject of the photo with an object surrounding them can be very visually pleasing. Use the objects around you and try to, if possible, incorporate them into the photo. Using an archway to frame someone standing beneath it can help draw the viewer’s attention to the subject of the photo.

Finding a line that leads the viewer’s eye is something that can create a powerful photograph. Lines are all around; you just have to be looking for them. Natural lines can strengthen the photo by leading the viewer's eyes to the subject. Different types of lines can evoke different emotions. Diagonal lines can add energy and curved lines can add beauty. While, the use of a road or path as a leading line adds depth and dimension.

Leading Lines

Effective framing and composition can change the impact of your photo. These elements are essential to understand when composing a photograph.