Photography Basics With Memory Gate

Juxtaposition is the art placement of two subjects to create contrast or to compliment each other. It can either be intentional or accidental and more often than not its intentions can be subtle. To see a reoccurring example of juxtaposition just open any newspaper. Headlines and images are designed to compliment each other but sometimes editors add in other non-related images…

How a subject is framed in an image really does show the difference between an amateur happy snap and a considered and more “professional” photograph. Years ago when I worked on cruise ships we had to photograph thousands of people in similar situations exactly the same way. Even though we were using digital cameras there was no time to crop or edit the pictures before we printed…

Point of interest, sometimes referred to as the centre of interest, is probably the most important element in any photographic composition. If your photography has any goal at all then at the most basic level it has to capture or record a subject or point of interest. In order for that image to become good or even acceptable, then your photograph needs to emphasise the importance of your point of…

When considering the rules of photographic composition one of the most well known of them all is the rule of thirds. This theory of composition is not by any means new and the term dates back to John Thomas Smith’s 1797 book Remarks on Rural Scenery where he discussed the the balance of dark and light in a painting. If you want to begin to take and compose well balanced images then an…

Composition is literally organising the elements of your subject into an image frame. What you are trying to attract is the eye, then you have to hold it’s attention. A really great image takes the eye on an adventure, it pulls it in and takes it for a ride of discovery revealing all of it’s wonderfulness slowly but intricately. There are four key elements which…

If you’ve ever wondered what AI Servo (if you have a Canon) or Continuous focus (if you have a Canon) is then read on. Subscribe to the Memory Gate Training newsletter The Nikon term is probably the giveaway as these settings are continuous autofocus systems for your camera. This means that you don’t have to half press your shutter to enable the auto focus or to…

There’s a saying that goes something like “Nothing exists in digital unless it exists in at least two different places”. It’s good advice on its own but here’s a coupe of other things you should consider. Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Back up by uploading and burning. The future is in the Clouds. Subscribe to the Memory Gate…

Why do you never see a professional photographer holding a camera at arm’s length to take their pictures? It’s not that they have fancy cameras with no image live screen on the back (many of them do), it’s because you can’t compose an image as well at arm’s length as you can when it’s tucked up in your face. In fact of you see a professional photographer…

A good lens is more valuable than a good camera body and will certainly outlive it. That statement is certainly true but what I’m not suggesting is that you blow your budget on glass* early on. In all honesty buy the best lenses you can afford and build up your collection slowly. But I guess you’re wondering what type of lenses are the best? Think about what you intend to…