As part of our broadening topics, learn about different tips and tricks that relate to your vacation experience. We interview and spotlight companies who are experts in their field and share their knowledge with us for a better vacation, this post focuses on photography with Lisa Richmond Photography.
In the below interview with Lisa Richmond, founder of Lisa Richmond Photography, Lisa shares her best practices for great photographs.
Below is the interview:
1. Why did you decide on a career in photography?
I've always loved working in creative fields. I really enjoy working with people and feel that I am able to make most folks feel comfortable in front of the camera. I love traveling and shooting in different locations.
I've always loved working in creative fields. I really enjoy working with people and feel that I am able to make most folks feel comfortable in front of the camera. I love traveling and shooting in different locations.
2. What do you think it is that makes photographs so special?
When you capture a moment, an expression, an emotion, it will forever bring you back to that time when you see it again.
When you capture a moment, an expression, an emotion, it will forever bring you back to that time when you see it again.
3. What are your favorite images taken of you or someone else and do they hold a significant memory?
I have so many favorites. Some are determined by technical skill but most are significant to be either because of the people I was shooting or the location we were shooting in. I enjoy capturing the true spirit of people and it makes me happy it when I am successful at it.
I have so many favorites. Some are determined by technical skill but most are significant to be either because of the people I was shooting or the location we were shooting in. I enjoy capturing the true spirit of people and it makes me happy it when I am successful at it.
4. If my images are either fuzzy or too dark or blown out by the flash, what top tips would you share with people to get better indoor images for when they are in a museum or church?
- Use natural light, use window light whenever possible.
- Put the light behind you so that it lights your subject and does not fool your camera into thinking it needs to under expose. (making the subject dark)
- If you are able to bounce your flash, do it! Anywhere but straight on your subject is usually best but most amateur cameras will not allow this.
- Bump up your ISO on your camera to allow for more light.
- If your images are fuzzy, chances are you are too close to your subject or your camera doesn't know what you want it to focus on, try backing up a bit and centering your camera on your subject.
5. What is the top tip you would share with people to get better composition in their image?
HAHA (see above) and then disregard. Don't center your subject-I use the rule of thirds all the time in that I never put my subject in the center but on the line that divides the first or last third of the image. I also use negative space to draw my viewer to my subject. (from wiki: Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image.) Don't be afraid to experiment- it is digital- delete it if you don't like it!
HAHA (see above) and then disregard. Don't center your subject-I use the rule of thirds all the time in that I never put my subject in the center but on the line that divides the first or last third of the image. I also use negative space to draw my viewer to my subject. (from wiki: Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image.) Don't be afraid to experiment- it is digital- delete it if you don't like it!
6. I want to share the experience with my friends how can I best capture a place on film?
When documenting a location, move around, hold your camera high, get on the ground and shoot up, take close up details, take overall shots- straight in front is usually boring. Mix it up to create more insight and perspective into your experience. Answer the questions, "Who, what, where, when and why", with your camera
When documenting a location, move around, hold your camera high, get on the ground and shoot up, take close up details, take overall shots- straight in front is usually boring. Mix it up to create more insight and perspective into your experience. Answer the questions, "Who, what, where, when and why", with your camera
7. Everyone in my pictures look stiff. What is the best advice you can give on taking people’s pictures?
Keep people moving around. Don't work in the same area or position for too long. With kids, get them running (learn how to use continuous focus on your camera) - you'll find their expressions are very natural when they are doing something else. Ask a couple about how they met- give them a chance to focus on each other, not on you or the camera. Once you become more confident in your abilities, your subjects will look more relaxed as they too are feeling more confident and trusting you and the process more!
Keep people moving around. Don't work in the same area or position for too long. With kids, get them running (learn how to use continuous focus on your camera) - you'll find their expressions are very natural when they are doing something else. Ask a couple about how they met- give them a chance to focus on each other, not on you or the camera. Once you become more confident in your abilities, your subjects will look more relaxed as they too are feeling more confident and trusting you and the process more!
8. What tips can you share for taking group photos?
Make sure you can see everyone (for large groups, use the "windows” method, where the second row is slightly askew to peer through row in front of them. Groups are all about balance- perhaps a bench where some are sitting, standing and then maybe resting on the bench arms- mix up the levels of people a little creates more visual interest. This can still be hard for me- trust the process. It is like molding clay till you get it right and then using your people skills to loosen everyone back up once you have struck the balance.
Make sure you can see everyone (for large groups, use the "windows” method, where the second row is slightly askew to peer through row in front of them. Groups are all about balance- perhaps a bench where some are sitting, standing and then maybe resting on the bench arms- mix up the levels of people a little creates more visual interest. This can still be hard for me- trust the process. It is like molding clay till you get it right and then using your people skills to loosen everyone back up once you have struck the balance.
About Lisa Richmond and Lisa Richmond Photography:
Lisa Richmond is the founder of Lisa Richmond Photography, and can find her blog at www.lisarichmondphotography.com/blog/
What are your photography challenges?
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