Techniques/Style - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

JumpinJesus · 09-22-2007, 01:36 PM

There are few photos here. It's mostly discussion. You can post photos here, but I'm starting this thread in the hopes of sharing some ideas for techniques for getting better shots.

Also, this can be used for asking questions about technique.

I've noticed in recent months that I've definitely adopted a style that has me placing my subject dead center with the horizon bisecting both the subject and the shot itself.
Like these

For awhile, I really liked this, until I noticed that I really wanted to get shots with the main subject being shot with the background being entirely sky, no ground at all behind the subject. To do this, I've found I have to lie down completely, get as close as I can, and shoot with a super wide angle (10mm on my 10-22mm).

What techniques do you use to get the shots you do?

ngdawg · 09-22-2007, 05:06 PM

I lie down, get as close as i can....
I also squat, stoop, turn the camera at an angle(great for when subjects don't fit in any conventional view) and pull photos apart. Since you probably shoot in RAW, you can zoom in on any interesting portion and crop:

from:

I really like turning the camera sort of catty-cornered so that the subject fits upper left to lower right. Of course, it doesn't work for everything-motorcycles or traintracks, yes, and even the occasional building, but people and animals, for instance, it doesn't work most times.
I also shoot 'blind'-I take a chance at not seeing exactly what I'm shooting. For instance, at parties or any large gathering, I place the camera over my head as far as I can reach, approximate the lens and click away:

A woman at this event saw me doing it and started doing it herself(I had seen Bruce Weber do it years ago at a party. He just walked around, camera over his head and shot.)
Your techniques feed your style and as your style changes, so will the techniques you need. I will try different angles and settings on one thing and make the choice later. Some photographers are known for how they shoot-someone could see those great photos of yours and know they're "JumpinJesus' photos". But if you prefer to consistently change how you work, then...just change it. It's the passion for it that matters, after all.

cadre · 09-22-2007, 06:43 PM

Well, "techniques for getting better shots" is a very broad subject. My input depends a lot on the situation.

As far as general things go, don't be afraid to get down and dirty (literally). I was shooting a statue in a nearby cemetery last week and ended up laying on the ground. It worked, I got the angle I wanted. I also shoot in raw whenever I shoot digital and at the lowest ISO possible in any situation.

By the way, for the style you have, those two photos are actually really good despite not following the rules. Centering things doesn't always work but it can. I would still suggest trying other things too though, you may find you like something else better in some situations.

JumpinJesus · 09-22-2007, 07:03 PM

I see what you're saying, cadre. I think I might have been too vague in my initial post. What I meant was: what techniques do you use to improve your shots. In other words, what have you done to improve your style, whether it be composition, post-processing, etc....

Great, the more I write this, the more ambiguous I feel I'm being.

Okay, continue on. I'll be around.

ngdawg · 09-23-2007, 05:09 AM

It's not ambiguous, really.
Your style is not anyone else's. I do a lot of what's referred to as 'journalistic' photography, although that is not what I sell, so methods are different for that as opposed to artistic.
That's not to say the way to get shots has to be different. When shooting a landmark, maybe holding a camera over one's head would get something really cool.
Another thing I tend to do is not focus on the obvious. A great scene shot might have one little nuance and for some reason, I tend to find it. My daughter does the same thing-I might be shooting a cool fence and she's kneeling down shooting a piece of the same thing that she found unusual. I'm actually learning from her about seeking and looking at things differently while she learns from me about 'lying down, getting as close as possible', squatting and twisting the camera angles.
Another 'technique' I use when I'm trespassing. I photograph a lot of abandoned places. If there's windows, I set the aperature pretty low, place the lens squarely on the glass panes and shoot. The dirty panes give a great effect to the shot most times plus acts as a 'monopod', keeping the camera steady.

cadre · 09-23-2007, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumpinJesus

I see what you're saying, cadre. I think I might have been too vague in my initial post. What I meant was: what techniques do you use to improve your shots. In other words, what have you done to improve your style, whether it be composition, post-processing, etc....

Great, the more I write this, the more ambiguous I feel I'm being.

Okay, continue on. I'll be around.

Okay, I kind of understand what you mean I guess.

I'm still trying to develop a distinct style myself, I mean, I know I have a style compared to other photographers but I feel like it's not very consistent since I pull from many other photographers for ideas and techniques.

The biggest thing for me is working with different types of cameras and film. I actually just bought a Holga for this reason, forces me to try new things and all that fun stuff.

spike_foot · 10-19-2007, 05:50 PM

I like to always crop using software. thats the best way to finish composing. also, it alows me to "not" zoom much at all. cropping is the best way to zoom. because, you get more camera shake when zoomed. so focus , genneraly compose and crop later. i use the free Picassa software from dowload.com its pretty easy to use. one style Ilike is to photograph in such a way that the viewer has to think about what exactly they are looking at. also to take at different angles and see for myself what is interesting. then delete the crappy ones so everyone thinks all I take are great pictures

i havent figured out how to post photos yet but I can email some if anyone PM's me. I've won a couple small contests, nothing major and havent yet invested in a real pro camera. just use a 5.1 MP Nikon compact. I truly believe that a good photographer can take a better pic with a 500$ camera than an idiot can with a 10,000 camera. lighting is everything or almost everything.

ngdawg · 10-20-2007, 08:27 AM

I don't know of any photographer, including the ones I work for, that don't do the 'take a lot, delete the crappy ones'. No one, even pros, get it right the first one upon planning for it every time.
You have to be careful about cropping for zoom, though. Depending on the focal length, you lose detail sometimes(causing some blur), unless you're doing an infinite focus or adjusting the focus to points beyond immediately in front of the camera.

09-22-2007, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	Techniques/Style There are few photos here. It's mostly discussion. You can post photos here, but I'm starting this thread in the hopes of sharing some ideas for techniques for getting better shots. Also, this can be used for asking questions about technique. I've noticed in recent months that I've definitely adopted a style that has me placing my subject dead center with the horizon bisecting both the subject and the shot itself. Like these For awhile, I really liked this, until I noticed that I really wanted to get shots with the main subject being shot with the background being entirely sky, no ground at all behind the subject. To do this, I've found I have to lie down completely, get as close as I can, and shoot with a super wide angle (10mm on my 10-22mm). What techniques do you use to get the shots you do? __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

09-22-2007, 06:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
cadre The Worst Influence Location: Arizona	Well, "techniques for getting better shots" is a very broad subject. My input depends a lot on the situation. As far as general things go, don't be afraid to get down and dirty (literally). I was shooting a statue in a nearby cemetery last week and ended up laying on the ground. It worked, I got the angle I wanted. I also shoot in raw whenever I shoot digital and at the lowest ISO possible in any situation. By the way, for the style you have, those two photos are actually really good despite not following the rules. Centering things doesn't always work but it can. I would still suggest trying other things too though, you may find you like something else better in some situations. __________________ My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

09-22-2007, 07:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
JumpinJesus Junkie Location: Chicago	I see what you're saying, cadre. I think I might have been too vague in my initial post. What I meant was: what techniques do you use to improve your shots. In other words, what have you done to improve your style, whether it be composition, post-processing, etc.... Great, the more I write this, the more ambiguous I feel I'm being. Okay, continue on. I'll be around. __________________ "I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses

10-19-2007, 05:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
spike_foot Upright Location: Canada	I like to always crop using software. thats the best way to finish composing. also, it alows me to "not" zoom much at all. cropping is the best way to zoom. because, you get more camera shake when zoomed. so focus , genneraly compose and crop later. i use the free Picassa software from dowload.com its pretty easy to use. one style Ilike is to photograph in such a way that the viewer has to think about what exactly they are looking at. also to take at different angles and see for myself what is interesting. then delete the crappy ones so everyone thinks all I take are great pictures i havent figured out how to post photos yet but I can email some if anyone PM's me. I've won a couple small contests, nothing major and havent yet invested in a real pro camera. just use a 5.1 MP Nikon compact. I truly believe that a good photographer can take a better pic with a 500$ camera than an idiot can with a 10,000 camera. lighting is everything or almost everything. Last edited by spike_foot; 10-19-2007 at 05:53 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

09-22-2007, 05:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	I lie down, get as close as i can.... I also squat, stoop, turn the camera at an angle(great for when subjects don't fit in any conventional view) and pull photos apart. Since you probably shoot in RAW, you can zoom in on any interesting portion and crop: from: I really like turning the camera sort of catty-cornered so that the subject fits upper left to lower right. Of course, it doesn't work for everything-motorcycles or traintracks, yes, and even the occasional building, but people and animals, for instance, it doesn't work most times. I also shoot 'blind'-I take a chance at not seeing exactly what I'm shooting. For instance, at parties or any large gathering, I place the camera over my head as far as I can reach, approximate the lens and click away: A woman at this event saw me doing it and started doing it herself(I had seen Bruce Weber do it years ago at a party. He just walked around, camera over his head and shot.) Your techniques feed your style and as your style changes, so will the techniques you need. I will try different angles and settings on one thing and make the choice later. Some photographers are known for how they shoot-someone could see those great photos of yours and know they're "JumpinJesus' photos". But if you prefer to consistently change how you work, then...just change it. It's the passion for it that matters, after all.

09-23-2007, 05:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	It's not ambiguous, really. Your style is not anyone else's. I do a lot of what's referred to as 'journalistic' photography, although that is not what I sell, so methods are different for that as opposed to artistic. That's not to say the way to get shots has to be different. When shooting a landmark, maybe holding a camera over one's head would get something really cool. Another thing I tend to do is not focus on the obvious. A great scene shot might have one little nuance and for some reason, I tend to find it. My daughter does the same thing-I might be shooting a cool fence and she's kneeling down shooting a piece of the same thing that she found unusual. I'm actually learning from her about seeking and looking at things differently while she learns from me about 'lying down, getting as close as possible', squatting and twisting the camera angles. Another 'technique' I use when I'm trespassing. I photograph a lot of abandoned places. If there's windows, I set the aperature pretty low, place the lens squarely on the glass panes and shoot. The dirty panes give a great effect to the shot most times plus acts as a 'monopod', keeping the camera steady.

10-20-2007, 08:27 AM	#8 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	I don't know of any photographer, including the ones I work for, that don't do the 'take a lot, delete the crappy ones'. No one, even pros, get it right the first one upon planning for it every time. You have to be careful about cropping for zoom, though. Depending on the focal length, you lose detail sometimes(causing some blur), unless you're doing an infinite focus or adjusting the focus to points beyond immediately in front of the camera.