Photography classes near me Charlotte

The Basis of Photography

Many people forget that photography in itself is an art form. It’s the practice of applying and creating images by recording light in just a still shot either electronically by means of an image sensor or by light-sensitive material such as film. Photography is used in all industries and fields from science and manufacturing to the most direct use for art, film, and video production. Yet, with the increase of technology the art of photography has gained huge momentum in the art of recreational photography and social mass communication. Nowadays everyone is a photographer in some sense. 

A captivating photograph is comprised of many aspects from the light, shadow, and sense of place to the focal point, balance, and many more. Advancements in technology have also taken a different shift when it comes to photography, yet the basic three elements have stayed the same. 

The three basic elements when taking a photograph have been the same since the inception of the camera and are made up of exposure, aperture, and shutter speed. These three elements are what makes a camera record light and take the still picture you are hoping to snap. The understanding of these elements is the first basics of understanding how to take a great photo.  Once these elements are understood you are ready to take in the five rules of a photograph’s composition. These five rules guide’s a photographer to capture a captivating photograph and help with the scenery, subject, and environmental awareness of a photo. 

The Five Rules of Composition

The first rule of composition is the rule of thirds. For a novice photographer, it is natural to place the subject at the center of the frame. However, as a whole having your subject or focal point dead center of the photograph can often lead to a boring and predictable composition. That is where the rule of thirds comes in and is one of the most popular compositional techniques. The rule as you guessed it divides your scene into a 3x3 grid with equal size rectangles. When you follow this rule, you are placing your subject in one-third of the frame or right on the line. This practice allows a more dynamic and pleasing composition since it gives more emphasis to not just your subject but also their environment. 

Leading lines is the second rule of composition which enables the understanding of dynamic lines that naturally exist in a scene and help the viewer’s eyes move from one area of the image to another. Leading lines should be framed in a way that will draw the viewer's eye to the primary subject of the image. This practice leads viewers into a ride through your image and offers an experience of movement in an otherwise still image. 

Less is more and that is exactly what the third rule of composition is all about. The rule of reducing clutter is the practice of acknowledging anything that will take your attention away from the main subject. This clutter can be anything from an object that doesn’t go with the scene like a water bottle to an ungroomed busy tree branch. This doesn’t mean that shooting at a blank backdrop is the answer, it just means to be aware of your overall image background and details included. 

The fourth rule is about showcasing your primary focal point by using contrasting colors. Contrasting colors are a great way to make your subject stand out in a vibrant and showstopping way. You can also say that the use of textures with no textures can have the same outcome when using contrasting colors. Uses of vibrant colors against muted colors or the use of warm against cool colors. The greatest use of this practice is when taking black and white photographs because the contrasting colors work so well to showcase a scene and subject. 

The final rule of composition is the practice of creative framing. This is not the practice of actually framing a photograph, but the use of focusing the lens through a natural object that is framing the subject/focal point. This can be done by defocusing the foreground objects and sharpening on the primary subject. Just be aware to not choose natural frames that will be overtly busy and fights for attention in the final image. 

These five rules are not meant to be set in stone, but they are more like guidelines that can lead to a better overall photograph composition. The set of rules can also guide you to better understand a photographer’s thought process and guide you to see the compelling story behind the photograph. 

Charlotte’s Best Places to Photograph

The Queen City is made up of more than 200 of the most spectacular parks, breathtaking natural forests, and cityscapes that have been preserved by the community. No wonder Charlotte is a photographer’s dream. Whether you are looking for the best backdrop for your next display picture or an image to remind you of Charlotte’s nature and cityscapes there is a spot for you and your camera. 

Yet, from nature to cityscapes there are plenty of local restaurants and shops that are also pleasing to the eye and make the perfect photo subject. Haymaker is located in Charlotte’s Uptown neighborhood right across from the BB&T Ballpark. It is the perfect inviting spot to catch a great photo with your date or loved ones. Haymaker’s warm, industrial and dark wood accents make a great minimalistic setting for any focal point subject. 

If an outdoor backdrop is what you are aiming to shoot, then Charlotte’s Freedom Park is the best scenery on any given sunny day. Expect wide-open lawns with a patchwork of blankets decorating the rolling hills while picnic-goers enjoy, the day out in the sun. If a nature path is more your element, then Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve is the spot. With over 10 miles of paths and trails, Reedy Creek allows the community to dive into the preserved path towering over pines and sturdy hardwoods and 730 acres of forest. 

Whether a simple photo of a loved one to a more stylistic image there is always a new way to express yourself through photography.