partly cloudy

[nefertiti]

Camera: Sony DSC-W55
Exposure: 0.003 sec (1/400)
Aperture: f/7.1
Focal Length: 6.3 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: On, Red-eye reduction, Return not detected


I took this shot standing on a hill and I thought I was holding the camera pretty level but I think the clouds look a little off. I took this with my old Sony Cyber-shot in full auto mode. I would appreciate some comments on the overall composition of the piece. I am new to photography and just upgraded to a new camera and I could use some tips and ideas on how to improve. Thanks.

[abarickman]

Hi. I think that this shot needs a subject. Your eye just runs all over it looking to focus on something. The sky is pretty though.

[navcom]

I agree with AJ...you need a subject. I know what you are going through though. You see a pretty sky or a pretty field and it feels like you should get it in a photograph. Unfortunately we usually end up with just another picture of a sky or a field...nothing really draws you in.

Before you take the picture, ask yourself what the center of interest will be. If your answer is a pretty sky or pretty field, you need to find objects that share that sky or field that make it interesting...something that compliments or augments the sky or field. You can also look for lines in your environment...streams, fences, interesting rock formations...and figure out a good place to shoot from to get the best use of them that draws the viewer in (example...fence line that "points" to the pretty sky). Other elements are things such as interesting color patterns or textures. Look around you for any of these elements. Just about every scene has something.

Once you figure that out, you need to eliminate anything that will draw the viewer's attention away from the subject. Minimize distractions as much as possible. You do this by using a different focal length, finding a different shooting position or angle, etc. For instance, if you are trying to show the colors of a beach ball on a beach, you don't need 10,000 people in the picture...just get closer to the ball so all the distraction is eliminated.

Finally, figure out where to position your elements in the photo. The most popular "rule" to use for this is the rule of thirds....that is, consider putting your subject elements at a 1/3 intersection. For more info on the rule of thirds, do a search for it on this forum or on your favorite search engine.

Hope that helps!

[fletch]

In scenarios such as this the easiest way of creating a subject is often to get really close to something to make it really big in the frame and bring out the details. That clump of grass looks like a willing candidate.