Keep it simple

[Paul R]

I remember reading a pretty basic book  on SLR photography.  A long time ago now. There was so much information to absorb, F stops/lighting, exposure compensation etc etc. It did my head in but I pesevered,. With new technology intoroduced almost daily, there is even more information to take in..............and it can be daunting

Obviously knowing how your tools work and getting the most out of them is the ultimate goal.............but as a starting point, I might suggest that Composition is the foundation........the starting point

In my opinion, if you want to take more than a "Snap Shot" all the other variables that might add to an image are secondary if you don't pay attention to compostion.  Some things just look right.

In saying that ,pay attention to everything before you frame your subject with your lense. Things like, power lines, Aeroplanes, bits of rubbish, dead tree brances, dog poo, etc......may go unoticed when you are looking at the overall picture through the lense. 

I rememember there was a framed image of a lagoon taken near where I live hanging up on a wall in a local shop. It was quite big, A2 size or bigger. I recall that the composition was quite nice, but, in the background one coud clearly see overhead power lines, garbage bins and part of a colourbond fence...........................Hello!

[admin]

Dog poo, Mmmmm

[bpsphoto]

Unless of course dog poo is the subject.

http://bpsphoto.typepad.com/photos/morning/2008_05_13_0027.html

[Paul R]

Some nice observations there but can honestly say that I wouldn't have put the pic of the dog poo so close to the Acropolis

Just doesn't quite flow...............is it just me?

PaulR

[bpsphoto]

It's the natural environment here. I've seen dog poo and the Acropolis in the same glance, though not when I've had a camera with me. It's pretty amazing to have such an incredibly important area as part of a living, breathing city, rather than sitting someplace outside of town. There's a section of the metro that runs above ground, right through the Ancient Agora, next to the Acropolis.

[admin]

In a strange kind of way, it is kind of efficient how they have busted up those pesky old ruins to build up the railway line supporting wall. Or were all those 'pebbles' just lying around?

I once visited the olive grove on the island of Milos, where they found the Venus de Milo, literally just under the soil in the grove. I am sure I have one of her arms lying around under the house her somewhere. But don't tell anyone.