Better Photographs

Provided To My Photo Students and Colleagues
1. UNDERSTAND what you are saying with your images. Most people know the Asian wisdom that says, One picture is worth a thousand words. However, most people do not realize that there is an equally profound proverb that says, One word is worth a thousand pictures. The photographer works to simplify, remove and reduce the image to its essence so that the observer sees and understands what the photographer is seeing and feeling.
2. KNOW your equipment. Read and understand the functions, potentials and limitations of the hardware, firmware, lenses and ISO. This applies to film and digital cameras. Light is all you have as your essential working element. The rest is worked out with technology, time and talent. A professional photographer can create great images with simple equipment. Make a pinhole camera and make a masterpiece photo. These cameras are simple boxes created from items as simple as Pop-Tart boxes, oatmeal boxes or simple wooden boxes. Digital equipment can be inexpensive or very costly. The real deal is not the equipment, but the heart, dedication and expertise you bring to your work. Find a master photographer who uses large and medium format film equipment. Analyse their art and prints.
3. PLAN your work. Even when you are hitting the street to photograph what catches your eye, be prepared. Lenses, filters, any toys are fine. The real thing to have that will greatly improve your success in taking good pictures is a sturdy tripod. We'll have a post on that and it will change things for you, but have a great tripod available. In fact, I would spend more on a tripod than on the camera. Camera movement ruins more images than any other factor. Even image stabilization can't do what a good tripod can do. A decent camera and a good tripod will also draw a crowd.
4. BRACKET. Digital and film cameras usually have settings to automatically bracket images. To bracket means to underexpose, average-expose, and overexpose in order to create multiple choices when looking at prints. Bracket every exposure you make. By doing this you will learn a lot about your eye and your camera. When using film and taking it in for printing, tell the technicians that you bracketed so that they will not make adjustments.
5. LEARN photo manipulation software. Adobe Photoshop, Corel Paintshop Pro or The Gimp. It is important that your monitor is calibrated to the place where your images are going to be printed or viewed. The destination of your photograph determines how you will treat it. The human eye can see at about 312 dpi. Higher resolutions are for large, professional installations. Most photo printers like 5"x 7.5"x 300 dpi. For larger prints you can use 8"x 12"x 600 dpi. You should ask the lab technicians what they prefer and what their machines are capable of doing. Occasionally take them cookies. They can be coerced into making better prints for you.
6. MAT AND MOUNT. Present your photograph, not the frame and matboard. Presentation mounting should be SIMPLE. Archival papers, matboard and adhesives will protect your images. Matting and mounting should be about 10% above the center of the board. Protect your art from UV light. Live with your images and learn how to improve them improve them. Keep working and growing. Dig within for inspiration and keep your eyes open and a camera nearby.

Growing tips: Attend classes and workshops. Look at other art and define what you enjoy.. Test your limits and that of your equipment. Carefully and deliberately add equipment to your bag or studio. Study commercial work in magazines and books. Ask for a restaurant wall to have a public showing. Check for my classes starting soon at Wake Tech. (c)Tim Johnson Photography

Tim Johnson
919-345-4615
www.timjohnsonphoto.com
tim@timjohnsonphoto.com