Hops and Photography

One of the hops plants is growing. No sign yet of the second one. Here's hoping! Or is that hopping?

A few years a go I started writing notes for either a class or an article for beginner photographers. My thought was that I could provide helpful hints to help people improve their photographs. Today I was looking at some one's photo posts on Facebook and realized that with some people, there is no hope for improvement. There are a few basics that you must have for a photograph - hold the camera steady to avoid motion blur, focus the camera so that your subject is in focus, and composition - make sure your subject is at least obvious to viewers. If you can't get at least two of these three you are in big trouble.

The use of digital cameras has made motion blur a bigger problem than it once was. Because people tend to hold their camera out in front of themselves, they tend to introduce blur. With your arms extended you cannot brace the camera. Many digital cameras have partially corrected this with built in electronic image stabilization. But still, you can help yourself by taking a little care.

Focus! It is hard to look at a photograph that is out of focus. Most cameras today have auto focus and all it takes for it to work is to slow down a bit, hold that camera still, point at what you want in focus, and press the shutter release. It does not take a genius!

Composition. This is where most people fail. Stick with the basics. If you are doing a portrait of someone, move in close. Fill the frame with them - face or head and shoulders. Don't cut their heads off. Don't get fancy, center your main subject. Photographing a child or a pet? Don't shoot down on them from above! Get down to their level. Think about what you are photographing and ask yourself if someone is not there would they understand what your are trying to photograph?

Simple rules. Follow them!