78 (yes, 78) Photography Rules

[Bobobird]

Came across this while browsing around.

http://gawno.com/2009/05/78-photography-rules/

Enjoy.

[gregj1763]

Well that's it then, I now know everything there is to know about photography

[russellsnr]

OK, (1) Must remember number 13 (2) Did they recapture the people in the mug shots (3) Can't afford the camera equipment how am I going to get the money to drink? (4) Is Colin's website in danger of a take over? (5) What was the last one?
Russ

[dksm]

now i know where i 've been going wrong

[Colin Southern]

now i know where i 've been going wrong

Hi David,

Welcome to CiC - it's great to have you with us.

[Designer]

This reminds me of some photos that I obtained from a former employer. He took photos with almost all of those mistakes, and in many cases it was impossible to know what the picture was. I have several in which you can't even tell which way is up. Not sure where he learned to take pics. He refered to them as "record" shots.

[Colin Southern]

Came across this while browsing around.

http://gawno.com/2009/05/78-photography-rules/

Enjoy.

Lets see how many I can break and get away with ...

1. When you take a portrait, it's better to get close to your subject: (space around the subject can portray a feeling of space and isolation)



4. When you take a picture, it's better to hold the camera straight: (Nah - I use Dutch Tilt all the time)



7. To photograph a portrait, it's better to put the subject in the centre: (Nah)



10. When you take a picture of a portrait, it's better to photograph in a moment when the subject isn't winking: (although, sometimes ...) (and if thet fails, you can get some wonderful "stoned on drugs" looks that can be saved for almost infinite embarrassment at their 21st birthday parties!)



13. In bad weather it's better not to take photos (poppy-cock! I took this wearing waders - in the lake during strong winds - holding an umbrella into the wind in front of (and above!) the lens).



30. When you photograph a landscape, it's better to wait until the moment a human appears: (Poppy-cock)



31. When you photograph a child, try to photograph them from a level that corresponds to the level of their eyes: (Although ...)



35. When you photograph a portrait, try to avoid horizontal lines: (Sometimes, but not always)



48. When you photograph, don't forget about exposure: (oops! Under and over-exposed in 1 image!)



51: When you take a photo, try to avoid double-exposures: (Kinda)



53: Subject in Black clothing, try to photograph with a white background: (Poppy-cock)



56: Try to photograph the sea in a way that it doesn't flow out of the picture (Tidal wave!)



57: When you Photograph, try to avoid mist (yeah, right)



64: Try to avoid a wide-angle lens. It might be disturbing to recognise the subject: (Nah)

[Dr Bob]

Now I got it. But do these apply to me? I don't consider my self an idiot.

Dr Bob

[Glenn NK]

Looking through the rules, it seemed obvious to me that the author must have been been suffering from the problem expressed in the title of one of Vincent Youman's songs (he also wrote Tea For Two):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_on...nds_%28song%29

Glenn

[Hansm]

Two very strong tips mentioned there #15 and #20.
Never realized it's important

One point for more serious discussion:
#23 When you take a picture for a portrait better take it from the front instead of the back.
Close to me a very famous photographer runs his business. His name is Henk van Kooten and very well named portrait photography. He once made a family portrait and took it from the back. His argument was that this image is much more timeless then a portrait taken from the front.

I tried the same as you see below.
I would like to know your opinion about taking portraits from the back.

[Colin Southern]

Two very strong tips mentioned there #15 and #20.
Never realized it's important

One point for more serious discussion:
#23 When you take a picture for a portrait better take it from the front instead of the back.
Close to me a very famous photographer runs his business. His name is Henk van Kooten and very well named portrait photography. He once made a family portrait and took it from the back. His argument was that this image is much more timeless then a portrait taken from the front.

I tried the same as you see below.
I would like to know your opinion about taking portraits from the back.

I'd have to say that it's something that's not often done, but having said that, I really can't think of a reason why the rule can't be broken so long as the image works. Not sure if I'd do it for a portrait per se - but I can imagine a photo of folks looking at something, shot from behind working out just fine. In your example, if those 6 folks were looking at a mural painted on the wall the "from behind" concept would make perfect sense.

[Manfred M]

Came across this while browsing around.

http://gawno.com/2009/05/78-photography-rules/

Enjoy.

The article is actually quite funny and I think the author does make some good points aimed at the snapshot crowd.

1. As with all "cookbook" approaches, you have to assume the reader has an aptitude for cooking; and

2. In photography, there are no rules, just guidelines. That said, a good photographer knows when to ignore them, a poor photographer does not...

[Hansm]

In your example, if those 6 folks were looking at a mural painted on the wall the "from behind" concept would make perfect sense.

You have a point that the image would be much better when the wall would be a more interesting subject. But then it might get the impression of a snapshot of people looking at a wall. I just gave it a try during a session some time ago and agree my example is not the best.The photographer I was talking about made this shot in a studio with white background. The people were watching to "nothing".If interested you might visit his site. Just google: Henk van Kooten. You can select the english language. If you then go to "his work" and select "family" you will find some examples of people photographed from the back.

[Boatman]

#36 got me! I've been photographing sausges all wrong.

[Donald]

#36 got me! I've been photographing sausges all wrong.

Yep. We had a discussion about that amongst the Admins and Mods, but decided to let you remain a member despite this problem!

[Sunray]

13. In bad weather it's better not to take photos
That makes me remember of Donalds picture of a dam taken in pouring rain
Lawers Dam

15. Before you start photographing take the lens cap off.
Nonsense. There is no better black filter out there. Never ever.

[Colin Southern]

15. Before you start photographing take the lens cap off.
Nonsense. There is no better black filter out there. Never ever.

Plus, don't forget that the "no UV filter for protection" camp like to use lens caps for front element protection!

[gingermegs]

Rules are great ... & like most rules you know what they say!!
Sometimes breaking a rule or two & thinking out of the box will produce a very creative image!

Cheers.

[Eastern Shore Media]

Came across this while browsing around.

http://gawno.com/2009/05/78-photography-rules/

Enjoy.

!ROFL!

Rule #79 - Before taking a photo - make sure your camera is turned on.
Rule #80 - Before photographing an event (say, a wedding) - make sure you brought your camera

Did I miss any?

[Manfred M]

!ROFL!

Rule #79 - Before taking a photo - make sure your camera is turned on.
Rule #80 - Before photographing an event (say, a wedding) - make sure you brought your camera

Did I miss any?

Rule #81 - Remeber to recharge you battery(s) the night before you are planning to go out to shoot; and

Rule *82 - Remember to remove your battery from the charger and put it back in the camera before heading out.


Two rules have have broken, much to my embarassment at the time...

There is also a corollary to Rule #82 - Regardless of how common the battery you have left at home is, the photo dealer in the town you are visiting will be out of stock and will not be expecting to receive any more stock until the day after you have left.

A second corollary is: A camera without a battery makes a pretty good paperweight...