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Entries in west georgia (9)

Saturday
May152010

Photography 101: The Subject

What makes a good photograph?

This, of course, is a very subjective question but I wanted to try to answer it in the most basic, simple way possible.  If we were to deconstruct a good photograph to its most basic element, what would it be?

The Subject.

Sounds too obvious, right?  But think about it.  When you have your camera out and taking pictures, think about your subject.  When you look at your photos, is the subject obvious?  Is it clear to anyone who looks at your photo, what the subject is?  

Keep the following questions in mind: How is attention focused on the subject in the photo? How is your eye drawn to the subject?  Is it the focus, the depth of field, or how it's composed? 

You should try to simplify your photos as much as you can.  Try to take out the distractions; keep your backgrounds subdued.  I know you’ve heard this one: KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid.  Don’t overly complicate your photos.

Remember, it's not about what camera you have.  These are principles that you need to know, no matter if you're taking a photo with your cellphone or a Canon 5D Mark II. To quote one of my favorite photographers, David DuChemin, "Gear is good, vision is better."

 

Monday
Feb082010

Wanted: Senior Model Reps

I am accepting applications for Class of 2010 & 2011 senior model reps.  You can fill out an application here. What do the models get? 

 

  • Free photo session (2 hours)
  • 50 personalized referral cards to give out to friends
  • 10 free Facebook/MySpace images (watermarked)
  • 25% off all print prices
  • $20 print credit earned for every senior who books a PAID session (Minimum $200 order.  Booking senior must mention senior model's name or return a referral card)

 

Saturday
Jan302010

Seniors: Early Bird Special

Attention Seniors: Early bird special from now until May 1st. $100 gets you a couple of hours of on location shooting, an online proofing gallery to show your friends and family, secure online shopping cart for ordering prints and digital files. Book now: jon@jonphillips.net or 678-321-6529

Friday
Jan292010

Athena

Athena helped me out on Day 25 of Project 365.  Here's a few more from the shoot.

 

Project 365: Day 25 Athena Athena  *Bonus 24/365

Athena

Sunday
Jan032010

Project 365

On January 1, I started a 365 project. Its a photo project in which you take a photo everyday. Its a personal project but sometimes the paying gigs will spill over and make it into the project. I'll be posting the photos over at http://www.jonphillips.net/category/project-365/.  Please check it out. I'll post updates here about the project but not everyday. So far, there's not going to be a particular theme to the photos. More than likely, many of the photos will be self portraits simply because I'm not going to be able to find a different subject to photograph everyday. Sometimes it will be still-life, such as Day 1 was.  I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot of my kids, as well.

Its an exercise in creativity, lighting, composition, technique, and trying not to repeat myself too much. Part of the challenge is simply keeping to it day in and day out. It will get old. I may miss a day here and there. But the goal is simply to finish. And I would hope that I'll grow as a photographer in the process.