Garden Photography Primer -Part 2– Capturing What We See On Film
 By Donna Krischan
Text and pictures © 2007

Remember the old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words? Keep those words in mind when you are composing your own photographs.  What is it you are trying to relay with your photograph? Will someone else recognize it? Is there a clear subject? If so, what is it? If you can’t answer these questions, look a little longer before you press that shutter button. One of my photographic mentors says that when you are taking pictures, your main job is to see. Once we master the art of seeing, we can then attempt to capture what we see on film. Not always an easy job!  

(For more about seeing, refer to sidebar.)  

Capturing what you “see” on film requires practice and discipline. In the last article, I reviewed a technique for composing a photograph with your subject off-center. If you tried the technique, you may have found it difficult to concentrate on your subject and hold your camera still. There is a cure for that - It’s called a tripod. All the experts agree that using a tripod will improve the quality of your photographs. Used properly, a tripod provides a steady shooting platform for your camera. It allows you to compose through your viewfinder while you continue to study your subject. It is then easy to make minor adjustments to your camera position to improve your composition. Without a tripod, we tend to simply point and shoot and are often disappointed with our results. A major drawback for many is that it can get costly. This is because you should purchase not only a tripod, but a head and a quick release system as well. Take your gear to a camera store and try out a bunch of different tripods and head combinations. You’ll be surprised how different they can be. Get the tripod and head combination with controls you understand and like.  

On Seeing

As a photographer, your  main job is to see.

Take some time out and photograph
 An  ordinary subject.
Like a tree in a park.
Start from far off, then move in.
Take your time. Observe. Study.
Change to a different lens.
Change your angle of view.
Observe what’s happening with the light.
And the shadows.
Look for color.
Look for details, patterns, textures.
Look for form. Look for lines.
Wait for the light to change.
Look some more.

Each photograph is of the same
 ordinary subject.
Yet each is different from the others.
Each has a different viewpoint.
Each creates a different feeling.
Each tells a different story.

Learn to take pictures by experimenting.
By observing.
And above all,
By taking pictures.

By Brian Ratty
On Assignment Video Series
www.Photo-Seminars.com

Many people with point-and-shoot cameras or inexpensive SLR’s don’t want to be bothered with a tripod or don’t want to invest the money in one. If that is the case, there are two things you can do to reduce the effect of camera shake when hand holding. First, be sure to have steady footing and tuck your arms close to your body as you firmly grasp your camera with both hands. Second, you can use faster film. Films have ISO numbers that relate to their light sensitivity. The higher the number, the more sensitive the film is to light. The more sensitive your film is to light, the less time the shutter needs to be open to “expose” the film. The shorter the amount of time the shutter is open, the more likely it is that any camera motion will be stopped. When we used a point-and-shoot camera, we found ISO 400 print film to work the best.

As long as we are talking about film, let’s explore the subject a little further. There are many different brands of film available with a variety of ISOs. Since I shoot for publication, I use slide or transparency film exclusively. I use mostly Fujichrome Velvia which has an ISO rating of 50. I love the vibrant colors I get with this film. The “chrome” in the name indicates that it is slide film. If I was using print film, I might use either Fujicolor or Kodacolor. The “color” in the name indicates that it is print or negative film.

Did you know that films all have different color palettes? Take the same picture, under the same conditions, with different films and the resulting colors will look different. I always recommend that you experiment with a couple different films to find one whose color rendition you like. If you are trying to get consistent results, then consistently use the film you’ve chosen. But wait, there’s another factor to consider here – processing. If you are using print film, you should also experiment with different processing labs. They can give very different results, often depending on the chemicals and papers they use. Again, if you are trying to get consistent results, find a lab you like and stick with them.

Next time we’ll talk about light. 

For more information on Donna Krischan the photographer please visit our Faculty Lounge or you can contact Donna through her web site at http://www.krischanphoto.com