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Beauty By Nature Tips
from Iowajima |
The following information was posted in the Club. Thank you Ron
for sharing your expertise. (IowajimaŠ2001)
Last week I judged a competition at for a camera club. There were four pictures that caught my
attention. They were good, but I could not give them an award.
1. A red Tulip.
The flower was placed directly in the center of the picture. The picture could have been more
attractive if the blossom had been placed in the lower third of the frame. The camera could have been
tilted forward so the out of focus green
leaves of the other plants would have served as the background. The blobs of out of focus color
which are the same color as the blossoms can become a distraction.
2. Three Toadstools.
The three very small toadstools had been placed in the center of the picture. There was also a very
bright twig crossing the lower third of the frame in front of the toadstools. This was a bad distraction.
The background was made up of very bright light brown colored leaves. The background could have
been darkened by shading it or the photographer could have moved the light colored leaves and a
more acceptable background might have been obtained. Many times the underlying leaves are darker
because the color has not been bleached out by the weather. Also, a more open
aperture could have been used, or the camera moved closer to the subject. The background would
have been out of focus placing the emphasis on the toadstools.
3. A Cascade in a Gorge.
The depth of field was good as everything in was in focus. Considering the picture was taken in a
gorge, the exposure was very good. It is amazing to me that a photographer will carry the equipment
to the field, set up the tripod and attempt to get the correct exposure.
But! They are to lazy to move something that is in the foreground.
In this case a board was in the bottom of
the cascade leaning toward the top of it. In talking with the photographer afterwards, he told me he
thought the board was a rock. Granted, a board that is left in running water can become smooth and
shinny like a rock. Be sure to check things out to be sure they are what they
appear to be.
4. A Canada Goose.
The goose was swimming on a diagonal line from the upper left to the lower right.
The exposure was excellent considering the exposure was taken with the internal meter from the blue
water on a sunny day.
The depth of field did not cover the entire picture. The bill of the goose was out of focus. Everything
behind the bill was in focus.
In talking with the photographer, he told me the camera was hand held using ISO 25 film. The setting
on the camera was 125th at f.4. The shutter speed was almost fast enough to hand hold the 200mm
lens. But! The speed of the film did
not allow a aperture small enough to keep the bill of the goose in focus.
The results of this competition teaches us
five vital lessons.
¨ Do not be a bullseye shooter.
¨ Work with the background.
¨ Have a reliable exposure system.
¨ Work with the foreground.
¨ A fast shutter speed and depth of field are needed when working with wildlife.
