Cee’s Compose Yourself Challenge: Week #6

Horizontal lines and horizons with a dash of diagonal.

Getting horizontal lines isn’t always easy. The first photo contest I entered one of the panel told me to use a level to get the horizon straight, since then I developed an abhorrence for crooked horizons, unless it intentional. It’s a simple fix that will make your photos better.

I did learn to use the level on my tripod and if I’m “freestyling” it I am at least aware so I work to make the horizon straight. If it’s not possible I leave extra room for cropping which is what happens when you straighten. If I do need to do post editing I usually use the straighten tool in Picasa (a free edit program) or the rotate canvas tool in Photoshop. With rotate canvas you can get a more precise adjustment.

click on each to see full photo.

Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Blind Pass Beach, Florida

National Parks

Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming

 

 

Cee’s Compose Yourself Photo Challenge: Week #5 Leading Lines

Where does this long and windy road go line.

Indiana Countryside

Spring Mill State Park, Indiana

Round and round where it goes nobody knows lines

Clifty Falls State Park, Indiana

Turkey Run State Park, Indiana

I see the end of the path line?

Lincoln Boyhood National Monument, Indiana

Grand Haven Light, Michigan

Going through lines.

Spring Mill State Park, Indiana

Clifty Falls State Park, Indiana

 

 

 

Cee’s Compose Yourself Challenge: Week #2 What All Well-Composed Photos have in Common

What All Well-Composed Photos have in Common? A strong subject, one that can evoke emotion. Here three examples.

As a landscape photographer the main emotion I try to evoke is a sense of awe especially in the beauty of our earth.

Occasionally I’ll bring other emotions into the photo thru people. Here we have the playfulness of a child and the loss of a mother.

 

 

Cee’s Compose Yourself Challenge: Week #1

I decide on focal length in two ways. First, if I see something specific I’ll zoom in on the subject with only small variations in focal length. Second, if I see something in a landscape, such as, I’ll start with normal depth then zoom in on particular features. As I find interesting features I’ll zoom in even more.

I rarely take photos specifically for any challenge or post, I like to use photos I’ve taken over the years. We went to Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure Saturday so I took the opportunity to get some shots specifically for this challenge.

The first photo is a wide shot of the park. I like the interaction of the cultural landscape and the people, it gives a nice feel of the park. The second photo is zoomed in on the loop of the Rip Ride Rocket roller coaster. The last photo zooms in more focusing on the riders. I like the third because of the detail but also I like to challenge myself, to see if I can get a good shot of the riders in a specific place in the loop.