Hi! Today I would like to share my views and ideas on how can we take beautiful pictures. Well I always say this in my workshops and seminars that one needs to learn the art of being creative. Renowned poets and people in the field of literature too must have at some time learned the basic rhymes like “twinkle twinkle little star”. The same goes with the initial stage of a photographer. It would be very hard to imagine a person who buys a new camera especially if it’s the first in his life to come up with best composition and color combination pictures with the right angles and creativity.
Many people get disheartened and make up their mind that they would always remain an average photographer and being creative is simply god’s gift. I think one can learn to be creative only if you know how to think creatively, much of the things get easy thereafter.
I have this simple suggestion to develop the skill of viewing things creatively or having that photographic eye. All you need to do is take your camera and just stick to one lens, any lens which is available. The reason I am not specifying any lens is because I don’t want to get the topic diverted to lenses. Even if you have a point and shoot compact camera that will help. Take your camera and go out for a walk. While walking down the street, park, or busy market area, make a point to stop randomly and find something to photograph. Start with looking for subject close by I mean 10-15 ft. from where you are standing. Look up and down, look all around you and take your time to find something interesting to photograph. It can be a scene in the street happening just in front of your, an architectural detail, your feet on a textured flooring,
look for insects, flowers or anything that attracts you. Try taking pictures from different angles. Usually a people prefers taking pictures standing, viewing from eyes level, in this he/she is usually stuck to viewing the world from eye level. See through the camera and use different angles. Keep in mind the rule of third and take multiple pictures of each subject from different angles and height. The idea is make the ordinary looking subject extraordinary. There are many options to make the same subject much more appealing but we need to start step by step and this exercise is the best according to me to start. Latter on you can experiment shallow depth of field and lights. You can also edit the picture later by converting them to black and white, etc.
Another idea is to get children involved in the exercise. Seeing the world from their height and angle surely brings more surprises and especially when they come up with options to get their pictures shot sometimes makes it more fun and unique.
Do not restrict yourself to taking fine art pictures, think it this way you are on a photo assignment but with no pressure, this way the possibilities will be endless. Just remember to have fun and learn something from each photograph you take.
I am sure this will help. Do share your views and comments.