Photo tip of the day: "Framing"- the illusion of depth

One of the downsides to a photograph is that it is two dimensional.

"Framing" is a technique used in order to add dimension to your photo and create the illusion of depth to your image.

By placing something in front of your subject, it visually translates to the viewer that there are several layers to the image, that something is close and something else is farther away; giving the image depth and a sense of three dimensionality.

Frames can be anything from a window, a bridge, a tunnel, trees, a door...something that draws the eye to the subject and "frames" it visually to communicate depth in the image.

Photo Tip of the Day-Try a different angle

Often we get stuck in a pattern of photographing things they way we usually see them. Looking down at kids (well they ARE short:), up at trees and buildings, down at flowers, etc.
One way to add interest to your photographs is to try to capture things/people/landscapes from a perspective you don't see everyday. For example, a hot-air balloon from above, a sailboat from on the top of its mast, someone from above...walking across a mosaic floor.
See if you can get out of the habit of just putting the camera to your eye and shooting everything at your own eye level. Get up on a chair, crawl on the floor, shoot up at something we normally look down to see. It's amazing how eye catching it is to see everyday things from a new perspective. Try it!

Photo Tip of the Day-Keep it simple

Back in the day, one of my favorite photography teachers used to affectionately yell out to her students "Keep it SIMPLE, stupid"!
What it has meant to me is to narrow my focus. Don't try to do too much. Decide what you want to photograph and try to capure it in the simplest way possible. Only include what adds to the photo, avoid everything that doesn't. When there is too much going on, the viewer won't know where to look or what you're trying to communicate. Busy photos are really tough to pull off well. Until you know how, stick to keeping it simple, stupid.