Different ISO Speeds

 

If you are interested in experimenting with the different ISO speeds of your camera, Let me briefly explain that the higher ISO the faster the action you can catch. 

This photograph of water falling has been taken in two different ISO Speeds.  The first photograph is taken with the ISO speed set at 850.  This setting catches the water falling and freezes the action.

For a smoother motion, I have taken the same photograph with the ISO Setting on 80.  AS you can see the second photo has a blurred look to the water as it is falling.

The only  precaution I see with using a high ISO Speed is that the lighting needs to be just right.  With a faster ISO Speed, the shutter is faster too, so if the shutter closes too quickly in a poorly lit area, the result with be a photograph with a lot of noise.  I will explain more about that another day.

Photographing Pets

OK, so if you just read the article about the rule of thirds, your thinking, boy, practice what you teach!  Well, to be honest, I did this on purpose.  I was not planning on using this photo for anything else but to crop and edit with a digital photo software.

Since I did just talk about the rule of thirds, lets refresh that placing the subject in the middle can make your subject not as interesting as it could be.  However, I did this so that I could be close enough to keep this dog's interest and catch the sun's reflection on his healthy shiny coat.  I knew I was going to crop this, so I did not worry about the distracting stick  or the shadows in the picture.  After saying all that, take a look at the edited version to get a better idea of what I am talking about.

 

I have used this photograph to put on apparel and posters for those animal lovers. 

 

View these products on Cafepress

 

I think it is important to catch pets and animals in natural lighting and in their natural temperament.  Keep your camera close and watch for the perfect chance to catch your pet in their daily lives.  Besides, that's how you will remember them right?  

 

Here is an action photo I took when I knew that my children were going to be playing with bubbles outside.  My Black Labrador loves to catch bubbles, so I went out with my camera to catch this action. This photo is not professional, the lighting is wrong, and the background is distracting.  However, It captured a memory. To me, that's just as important as professionalism.

Rule of Thirds

One of the first things that you may have learned about photography is the rule of thirds.  Incase you have not heard of this "rule", I would like to explain it for you.  You see for a long time, I enjoyed taking pictures but I have never heard of this rule.  Once it was explained to me my pictures were much more interesting and well balanced.

When you look thru your camera's viewing lens, picture a grid in the window or screen. This grid may actually be a option that is on your camera.  I use the Canon Powershot SD850 digital camera for most of my photography right now.  The grid feature is on this camera.  Take a look at your manual if you have this camera and would like to enable this feature. 

The grid should divide your camera into 9 parts. like this example.  If you do not have a grid feature, or do not want to use it, simply imagine this grid on the photograph you are about to take. 

When you are taking the picture, it is best to place the subject of your photograph on one of the intersections of the lines.  It is more natural for the eye and draws your eye into the picture. 

Placing a landscaping image off to one side also allows for more of the surrounding landscape to be seen. 

Another thing to keep in mind as you are thinking about the rule of thirds is that you also have grid lines that run horizontally.  Sometimes I use this grid line to make sure that I am holding my camera straight.  this prevents me from having a tilted horizon. However, The horizontal grid lines are just as important in the rule of thirds.  You may take a photo that is, lets say a sailboat on the water.  If you place the horizon directly in the middle, and the sailboat on one of the thirds, you will have a good photo, but if you placed the horizon on one of the third lines, the photo becomes more pleasing to the eye and well balanced.