Photography is something that I struggle with and I often hand the camera over to my partner Dixie. I shy away from taking photos as he is much better at it than me. I decided it was time to take action so I enrolled with the University of Tasmania to do a Photo Essay Course.
I really enjoyed the course as it got me out of my comfort zone by capturing images that I wouldn’t normally shoot.
Here are some of the things I took away from doing the course.
Composition
There are several ways in which you can arrange a subject in your photo. Use leading lines, rule of thirds, fill the frame, use patterns and so much more. Photographer Steve McCurry explains the 9 Photo Compositions beautiful and you can read about it here.
Take photos from several different angles
Experiment taking photos from different angles. Get up high, to the side, get in close or even down low. I was surprised that some of the photos I like the most were taken from an angles I may not have shot from before.
Be patient when taking photos of children
So many times I was crouched down waiting to take a photo of my children, waiting for the right moment and then I would give up. Of course the moment I put my camera down I would miss a beautiful moment like them holding hands while playing in the surf at the beach. Photographer Hollie MacKenzie has some tips on getting great candid photos of children which is really helpful.
Experiment every day
Pick up your camera everyday and experiment with subjects, light and camera settings. I will be the first to admit I took some really bad photos but over time I could see an improvement.
Take on a Photography Challenge
There are lots of groups you can join to get inspiration and photo ideas. Here are a few that I have discovered.
Chantelle from Fat Mum Slim has a photography challenge called A Photo a Day. Each month she reveals a list of words that inspire you to take a photo. You can share your images on facebook and instagram if you wish. It is interesting to see other peoples photos and how they interpret the words.
Jodi from Practising Simplicity has the 52 project. Take a portrait of your children, once a week, every week.
365grateful is taking a photo everyday of something you are grateful for.
Rebekah has the 10 on 10 project where bloggers share 10 photos on the 10th of each month. It is about finding life and beauty in the ordinary things of our day to day!
Critique your work
Look back at your images and see what worked. Did you like the lighting and composition? Also take time to look at why photos didn’t work. Was there too much clutter in the photo that distracted from the subject? Was the photo over exposed?
Taking the time to analyse your photos as this will help you improve. Also when you see an image that catches your eye take the time to see why the photo works.
Putting words with images
Words and images work best when they enhance one another. Don’t use a caption that states the obvious. Use words to express emotion, express what is difficult to say and let people know what is happening outside the frame. It is best to keep your captions at one to three sentences.
My photo essays
So far I have done two photo essays, A day in the life of a camper and Our love of nature. It has been great fun putting them together and I hope to do more in the future.
So there you have it, that is what I learnt while I was doing the course. I hope that some of these tips have helped you with your photography or doing a photo essay.
Get the camera out and happy clicking!
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I am also not a confident photographer. It sounds like you got a lot of value from the corse, well done!
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It helps to practise all the time. I really want to upgrade and get a better camera.
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I am so pleased you got a lot out of this! I did a photography course a few years ago where I learned more about composition and framing and changing my position too and I apply those skills even with my iPhone now. It makes a great difference and I can see that in your shots!! Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 3/52 Denyse
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Thanks it is nice to know that you can see a difference
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When you’re watching TV and movies notice how they too use the rules of composition. Even more so in the ‘tender moments’ when there is one person on the screen. Enjoy. 😊
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I have never thought about composition on the TV, I will take notice now!
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Well done, sounds like you got a lot out of it. I’ve always loved taking photos, but I’m far from a ‘photographer’! Recently upgraded my camera so now want to do a course to learn how to use it all. No point having this big expensive camera and visiting all these amazing locations and not getting the best photos I can!
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I would love to upgrade my camera. Someone told me about a free photography course that you might be interested in. https://alison.com/courses/Digital-Photography
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Im a lucky girl, hubby actually bought it for me for Christmas! Thanks for the website, I’ll check it out now 😀
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Hi Anne,
I thoroughly enjoyed the course as well. I am also taking part in the #fmspad challenge. My photography blog is http://imageaday.edublogs.org
It was great to learn those techniques to improve my photos and I am certainly being more critical of images I upload to my Flickr account.
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I will pop over and have a look at your photography blog now!
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Oh wow, I hadn’t even thought of half of these things as I’m a ‘point and shoot with my iPhone’ photographer. There’s so much to consider. I guess that’s how and why some people take amazing photographs so effortlessly. (They know what they’re doing and what to look for!)
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After doing the course I started looking at all the photos and discovering why some photos work. It is really interesting.
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Lots of great tips here!
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Photography is on my list for 2017 but I keep procrastinating! I do believe practice makes perfect but I doubt my creativity especially when I look at other photos on instagram for example. Thanks for the tips and I’ll be following them. Have a great day. #teamlovinlinky Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond.
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Carry your camera with you and then I am sure you will take more pics this year.
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Although I’ve been away from the blogging community for some time, I have been enjoying your photographs on Instagram. You have shared some really great tips and it shows in your photography.
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Thanks I love clicking away but some times I think I need to just relax, kick back and enjoy the moment more.
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I know what you mean!
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I would love to do one of these courses when I have time. There is so much to learn in Photography and I’m still an amateur trying to learn more. I used to take my camera out and about all the time to experiment but I haven’t had time recently. I need to get back to it. Thanks for sharing what you learned from your course. 🙂 #TeamLovinLife
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This was a free course with the University of Tasmania and I can recommended it.
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I love to see someone enjoying photography because I love it! In late 2012 I did a 365 Grateful Project where I took a photo a day for a year of something I was grateful for. It sparked an interest in photography. I did a local course on how to use my DSLR on manual. But I wanted to learn more so I did an online course and got a Diploma in Professional Photography. I’d like to do even more study and would love to do a travelling photography workshop one day. Enjoy it – it’s such fun and always more to learn! #TeamLovinLife
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A travelling photography workshop sounds fun. I only have a point and shoot camera but I would love to upgrade soon.
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Thanks for those tips. Sometimes I snap and hope for the best, but other times I should mentally be checking things off so your list is a great help. I think photo essays are wonderful and I love seeing them in blogs, with enriching captions that set the mood. #teamlovinlife
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I hope to try and do more photo essays this year.
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That sounds exactly the sort of photography class I would like to do!!!!! I don’t want to become a serious professional, just learn more about what works and what doesn’t – even if it is only taking pictures on my iphone 😉
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This was a free course with the University of Tasmania and they said you can use your iphone. I only have a point and shoot camera but hopefully one day I will get a better one.
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“Be patient when taking photos of children”. LOL. I hear that! Same goes for dogs …
#TeamLovinLife
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I think dogs are easier to train than children!
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Excellent points and thanks so much for sharing them with us.
SSG xxx
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Sounds like a great course and that you got loads out of it. I did a short course at evening class at my local community college and although my photos aren’t professional looking, they have improved (albeit slightly!) I love a good photo challenge, although I find it hard to keep up with them. Me and some bloggy friends do a 10 on 10 photo circle every month. Feel free to hop in and join us!
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Thanks I will check out your 10 on 10 photo cirlce and I am sure I will join in.
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These are great tips. I’m also on a mission this year to improve my photography so will definitely try to incorporate these tips.
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Thanks, have fun playing around with your camera.
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[…] I completed a photo essay course at university and I want to keep practicing my photography. So on the 10th of each month I will […]
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