Taking the Perfect Picture
There’s a lot that goes into capturing an image or moment forever in a photograph. Much of it can be chalked up to luck, being in the right place at the right time and shooting at the exact moment. But special moments and striking images can also be manufactured, if you know how to do it.
What is the secret to great photography? Always be prepared. That applies to both the candid and spontaneous shots as well as the staged and rehearsed ones. It means having a camera available and ready at a second’s notice. Fortunately, with the leaps in technology in cameras on cell phones, this has become a much easier task. Now, when that beautiful sunset presents itself, or your kids are doing something cute, it can be as easy as pointing your phone and clicking.
It is also important to have in mind what the ultimate intent is for the picture you are about to take. Are you looking for a silly shot to post on your Facebook page, as a screensaver on your computer, or for next year’s holiday cards? Then a quick pic with a point-and-shoot camera or phone camera is perfectly fine for that purpose.
But if you want to create something that can be displayed, whether as a framed piece or even to convert from photo to canvas and hang on your wall, a great deal more planning and likely better equipment is necessary. What are you trying to convey? Where do you want to hang your photo? And what kind of material are you planning to use? All of these questions will help you to determine how to approach your subject.
Ultimately though, it’s about one thing, whether you’re looking for a snapshot to share or creating pieces of art or canvas prints to hang: Find the beauty within whatever you choose to photograph, and use whatever methods you have available to let that beauty shine through. If you do this, and you are pleased with the results, it’s quite likely that others will be as well.
