10 Creative Photography Tips Capture Striking Images | Mike Moreland
Whether you’ve been shooting using creative photography techniques for a while or have just gotten a handle of your camera, there’s no end to the types of images you can take! From backlighting, to shadows, to reflections and more, read on to see exactly how you can take your eye for creative photography to the next level.
1. Reflections
Reflections are everywhere. You find them in mirrors, glass, water, metal, the creative possibilities are endless! Using them to your advantage will make your images all the more magical. Start by training your eyes to look for reflections (walking down the street, looking at store windows, rain puddles, lakes). Once you’re ready to start shooting, increase your depth of field to make sure that the reflection and your subject are all in focus. Still stuck for ideas? Pour water from a bottle across a cement or asphalt surface and start shooting!
2. Timeless Silhouettes
Silhouettes are a very timelessly creative way to make your images stand out and create symbolism. Any location with a strong contrast can create a silhouette if the background is not distracting. Make sure the background is at least four stops brighter than the foreground. Expose for the background and underexpose as needed. A sky can be a great way to create a silhouette if you can get low enough or elevate your subject so there is a clean background without the distraction of trees. Beaches are also great locations, but you can even create a silhouette by placing your subject in a window or door and shooting towards a bright background. Practice and experiment and practice and experiment until you have this classic photography style down.
3. Design and Subject Placement
Finding eye-catching designs will make your images stand out. Look for abstract shapes, leading lines and locations that form shapes and create interesting designs. Once you’ve found your location, placement of your subjects is very important in order to compliment the background. The examples are from a senior photo shoot at a stadium.
4. Make Your Client Glow
Shoot into the sun to create beautiful backlighting that will essentially make your subject glow! Look below at how the sun outlines their hair and creates mood to the images. Make sure to be careful of the sun hitting your lens, as it can cause damage. Investing in a lens shade can be helpful, or shading the lens with your hand. However you may want to add flare to the images, so letting the sun hit your lens for a small portion of time to create that look can add another dimension to your photos.
5. Creative Photography With Composition
Composition will help to balance your images and turn them into artwork. The historic rule of 1/3’ s have been used in both of these images, and keeping composition in mind to enhance your creative photography is definitely important.
6. Pull Back
Pull back and don’t always shoot so tight! Let the surrounding scenery help to define your images. Especially if you are interested in wall portraits, capturing your subject as the main focus but maintaining a view of the background will create a beautiful piece.
7. Movement
Movement, movement, movement! Although simple, some photographers shy away from having their subject move while they shoot. Movement can be flowing fabric, a person turning and moving as you shoot or even an action image where you are capturing a candid moment. No matter what you have in mind, adding movement to your images will help to not make them so stagnant and traditional.
8. Long Exposure
Long exposure will make your images look magical. Using a tripod or monopod will help to keep your ISO down. Both of the subjects in these examples were shot with an LED light and balance to the ambient exposure of the background.
9. Play With Angles
Unique camera angles make images fresh and interesting to the viewer! Look below at how shooting down or up makes these images all the more creative.
10. Don’t Shy Away From Shadows
Although we always hear about having good lighting to eliminate shadows, don’t be scared to use them to your advantage! Shadows will help you create beautiful contrast, design, and often look amazing as black and whites.
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