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Photo by Scott Bourne - Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs Creative Commons

For What It’s Worth – Three MORE Things It Took Me A Long Time To Learn About Photography

Scott Bourne 11/30/2012 2

I got such positive response to my new For what its worth series yesterday that I decided to do another one right away.

These are simple things that I believe have helped me be a better photographer, but that I didn’t learn until later in my career. In each case, I wish Id have learned them earlier so I am passing them on to you in case you might be receptive to things that I missed. Heres todays load.

1. The lower the camera angle, the more dramatic the photo and the more power given to the subject.

2. Expression outsells perfection in portraiture every time. Concentrate on getting a good (real) expression from your portrait subjects and IF you screw something else up, it won’t matter. The friends and the family will buy the shot with a good expression that is technically imperfect over the one that has a phony expression but is technically correct every single time.

3. When you arrive at a new location, leave the camera behind and scout first, shoot second. Too often photographers shoot from the first spot they see and photograph the first thing that happens to walk, run, fly, etc., by the viewfinder. A few minutes surveying the situation almost always offers a better chance for a better shot.

Take it for what its worth. I hope it helps. (And yes the portrait here was made as a joke or more appropriately as a hyperbolic illustration of my point on expressions.)

________________________

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Scott Bourne

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Founder of Photofocus.com. Professional photographer. Author. Speaker.
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Categories: Shooting Tags: fine art tip

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  1. Quote Of The Day | Ohnostudio says:
    November 30, 2012 at 8:32 am

    […] -More wisdom from Scott Bourne […]

     
  2. For What It’s Worth – Three MORE Things It Took Me A Long Time To Learn About Photography « Photofocus | Abramson's Corner says:
    November 30, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    […] For What It’s Worth – Three MORE Things It Took Me A Long Time To Learn About Photography « Pho…. […]

     

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