photography journalism the basic rules of photography 1. focus on your subject 2. employ the rule of...
TRANSCRIPT
PHOTOGRAPHY
JOURNALISM
The Basic Rules of Photography
1. Focus on your subject
2. Employ the Rule of Thirds
3. Use lines to draw attention to the subject
4. Frame your subjects
5. Try changing your viewpoint. Change the angle
6. Avoid Mergers!
1. SIMPLICITY
KEEP THE FOCUS ON YOUR SUBJECT –avoid clutter
The cactus is the main subject. And by moving in closer and using the plain sky as the background, we have simplified and improved the appearance of this photograph.
Which features a clearer subject?
Hans Staub
In front of the kindergarten
Aaron Siskind
Savoy Ballroom
Carol Guzy
Volcanic Mudslide in Columbia
Max Desfor
A pair of bound hands and a breathing hole in the snow reveal a body buried in the snow and left to die by retreating communists during the Korean War
2. RULE OF THIRDS
1. The subject is off centre
2. The eye is drawn to the top left corner
3. Footprints lead eye to the subject
4. Shadow adds to photo
1. Horizon is in top third
2. Subject is not centred.
3. “S” curve is aesthetically appealing
A CENTRED SUBJECT
Same subject: off centre and horizon shifted
A vector is a line indicating direction and motion.
Note that the sailboat to the right appears to be moving into the picture.
THINK VECTORS!
Michael Macor
San Francisco Earthquake
Iraq
Children enjoy a bucket of water in war torn Liberia where the number of orphans topped 10,000. 2004
Carolyn Cole
Even portraits may be better if the subject is not centred.
Matt Rainey
Emotional photographs that illustrate the recovery of two students burned in Seton Hall University dormitory fire.
Andrea Mohin
9-11
George Kochaniec
Columbine 2000
Squad leader stands at attention as troops pay last respects to a fallen comrade in Baghdad. 2004
David Leeson / Cheryl Meyer
3. USE OF LINES
Natural lines like a road or fence can lead the viewer to focus on your subject.
Vertical lines emphasize power, strength, and height.
Horizontal lines express stability and width.
Diagonal lines express dynamic energy.
Curving lines express sensuality.
This photo employs both the rule of thirds and the effective use of lines
George Barnard
Charleston Railway Depot
Vertical Lines = Power and Strength
Ansel Adams
- use of curves- placement of horizon
- rule of thirds
Cornell Capa
Bolshoi Ballet
New York Steelworkers
Note: Rock frames structure.Note: Horizon is not in centre of picture.
4. FRAMING
Purpose is to show height of monument
Monument is framed and includes subject and depth
1. Rule of thirds 2. Horizon is in lower third
3. Subject is framed
Marc Riboud
A street in old Beijing
Russell Lee
Migrant child returning home from the fields
Paul Vathis
JKF and Eisenhower discuss Bay of Pigs
Jean Gaumy
Iran’s Chadored Warriors
CANDID PHOTOS
Unposed pictures of people, often taken without the subject`s knowledge. These usually appear more natural and relaxed than posed pictures
CANDIDS
Alfred Eisenstaedt
“The Kiss”
-Victory Day
GET CLOSE!
Leonard Freed
Suspect in a Police Car
6. AVOID MERGERS
In the photo on the left, a tree appears to be growing out of the subjects head.
SPORTS AND ACTION PHOTOGRAPHS
In this picture, it looks like the runner is leaving the scene. The scene is not so readily noticed.
Action subjects should always be moving into the scene. This way the viewer notes both the setting and the subject.
The eye naturally follows the direction of the subject
THREE MAIN RULES FOR SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY
1. BE READY TO SHOOT!
2. TAKE LOTS OF PHOTOS
3. GET CLOSE
Try panning the camera so that the subject remains in focus but the background is blurred. This is a very effective strategy for illustrating speed.
FAMOUS PHOTOS
Arthur Leipzig
Divers, East River
Martine Franck
Le Brusc, south of France
George Hurrell
MartinMunkacsi
Joe Rosenthal
Iwo Jima
Jeff Widener
Tiananmen Square
Max Desfor
The Korean War
Refugees cling to the twisted girders of a bridge as they flee southward from the advance of Chinese communists
Jack Thornell
Civil rights activist James Meredith grimaces in pain after being shot during a voting rights march in Memphis. 1966
Nick Ut
Children fleeing an American Napalm Strike
Eddie Adams
Street execution of Vietcong Prisoner
Carol Guzy
Kosovo
Slava Veder
Burst of Joy: Released prisoner returns home after the Vietnam War
Steve Ludlum
9-11
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