16 September 2009

What Good Is A Photograph Of You?

I just got back from vacation and boy, I tell you, I took a lot of pictures. I like taking pictures of random things, things like man hole covers from different countries. Of course, like everyone else, I take photos of landmarks and things like that.

Usually, I like the subject of the photo to be just the thing I am interested. Meaning, I am happy with a picture of just the Great Pyramid...I do not need to be in the photo. I take above average photos, not great, but good...enough. I will even lend a hand to a stranger and take a photo of them with a landmark or whatever. The trouble is, when I have to ask a stranger to take a photo of me with said pyramid and he/she takes a photo of me. Just me, with some sky and sand...no pyramid. What the fuck? I know what I look like, I have tons of photos of me, and I have a mirror. I do not need another picture of me standing there in like an idiot.

People, when someone asks you to take a photo of them, it is your responsibility to take a good photo of them AND the more interesting background. Leave a little space. Give the subject (person) about 1/3 of the frame. Give some head room, eyes should be about 1/3 from the top of the frame. Have the person turn slightly and make sure that the background is the main focus of the image. Believe me, they will thank you when they see the image, and sincerely mean it.

I have given my camera to a many strangers...most have failed. In this digital age, you can take as many photos as you want (given the disc space). So, offer to take two or three for 'safety'.

Oh, one more thing. If you are getting your picture taken...KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN until way after the picture is taken. Picture taker should check to see that all subjects have eyes open.

That is all for now. Say 'cheese'.

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