STREET PHOTOGRAPHY

Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.

When doing street photography, it is of utmost importance to have your camera ready to shoot. Great images present themselves all the time; most often we are fumbling with our cameras and miss the shot.

I took this shot last week in Mexico, and it was one of those images that can never be re-shot! The police turned a corner, and I had only 3 seconds to take the photo. I find that it is best (for me at least) to have the camera set to Aperture Priority, on the lowest "f" number, with the exposure compensation (+/-) set to +0.3. I set the white balance to Cloudy, to keep things warm. 

Try the above camera settings the next time you are traveling, and hopefully you will find that it is a fast combination, for capturing fleeting moments!

Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at www.markhemmings.com
Mark can be hired as a photographer or filmmaker via www.hemmingshouse.com

OVERHEAD LIGHTING

Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.

I am on a theme of simplicity lately, so here is another one! When approaching the direction of a project, begin the experimentation with as few variables as possible. Keep everything minimal to begin with, and increase the complexity of lighting as needed.

This illustrative image was lit with only one overhead light. I tried the same composition with additional lights, but the photos weren't nearly as dramatic. This minimalist tip is good news for those on a budget . . . never be dismayed by your lack of gear; use what you have and put your soul into it!

Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at www.markhemmings.com
Mark can be hired as a photographer or filmmaker via www.hemmingshouse.com

SYMMETRY AND ASYMMETRY

Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.

When a potential composition allows for perfect, or near perfect symmetry, carefully adjust your camera and tripod so that all major lines are either vertical or horizontal.

When the image is perfectly lined up, try to include an off-center subject within the symmetrical composition. This creates an interesting scenario where you have two unique compositional styles in one photo: symmetry and asymmetry.

This photo was taken last year during a trip to Hungary. It is at the Budapest Museum of Fine Art, in the ancient Rome and Greek hall.

Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at www.markhemmings.com
Mark can be hired as a photographer or filmmaker via www.hemmingshouse.com