Photo by Ben Yoder
When you are out to get that one special piece of life that you just have to get that picture of, get in close! Who wants to see that driveway when you are trying to get a picture of your prize-winning flowers in your flower bed?
OK, so this isn't one of those "official" rules that are taught in photography classes, but it's one easy way to get more out of your pictures.
Take the picture included here. As I was on my way home from work, I saw this building lit by some great raking light from the setting sun. Instead of grabbing for my ultra wide lens, I reached to my telephoto lens, and stood less than 10 feet from the wall. This helped cut through the clutter, and show off just what I wanted the viewer to see. To show what I saw in that building on that evening.
This technique works very well for people, too. Take the following photo I took at a recent concert:
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It looks alright, but lets see what a tighter crop can do for it:
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Much better! Less empty space; less clutter from the drums and sound equipment in the background; it draws your eye right to the subject at hand.
This tip is an easy one; there is no need to go on and on to make it more complicated than it is! So, take a few more steps toward your subject, or use that great telephoto lens you just had to have, and get closer!
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Get out and go on-location: The Arena District
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