A Guide to Better Photography

[a photograph of a woman against a body of water]

"This photograph was taken at Eastern Shore, Maryland, in November 2006. Here again, the lighting worked well not only because it showed all of the subject’s face, but also enhanced her natural beauty with her blonde hair glistening in the sun’s rays. This photograph’s significance though, lies in using a body of water as a background. Bodies of water can be brilliant to work with, when applied correctly. Here the subject is wearing her choice of shade of blue, with a neutral colored skirt. This is considered appropriate attire for a photo shoot in front of a body of water.

Water can be easy or difficult to work with. If the photographer is aware of his or her surroundings, and what angles to use, bodies of water can be an excellent background. But for the novice photographer, water can cause disastrous photographs to emerge that focus in on the photographer’s inexperience.

Bodies of water change color throughout the day. This is because the sunlight is being reflected at different angles. The professional photographer need not be a physicist, but the knowledge of basic physics is a must when using bodies of water to the advantage of an excellent photograph.

Here, the body of water exemplifies a very beautiful and healthy color of blue. It goes well with the subject’s clothing, and makes this photograph look inviting. The wind was also cooperating in this particular photograph as well. Although, it cannot be emphasized enough, that to achieve a photograph like this with so many things of nature in play, with the constantly moving body of the water, the unpredictable wind, and the movement of the subject walking up and down the boating dock trying to enable the photographer to capture that perfect moment, it took thirty shots to get this one photograph worthy of expertise level.

Also, notice how the subject’s head is just below the shoreline in the background. The professional photographer should avoid cutting any part of the subject’s body with defined lines like a shoreline, or horizon. The wooded rails along the boating dock are acceptable because they are there, and it would look unrealistic for a subject to walk down a boating dock without any hand rails.

The expression on her face is warm and happy as she experiences and appreciates this 80 degree Fahrenheit day in mid November. When she reflects back on this day, it will bring relaxation and found memories of a Sunday drive away from the big city."