Basics You Should Know When Shooting People

If you study travel photographs you will be surprised at how often you can recognize the country, even a particular city, by looking at the people in the shots. This may be something as obvious as a shot of a guard outside Buckingham -Palace or a portrait of someone in front of the Eiffel Tower. But other, more ordinary forms of dress can also convey location - especially when combined with architecture.

Thanks not only to our own travels but also to television, newspapers and magazines, many parts of the world are now more familiar. Photographs which in the past would have been fascinating glimpses of exotic places are in danger of becoming mere cliches, but adding people to these views can lift them out of the ordinary.

Most local people do not mind haying their photographs taken and some, such as uniformed guards, positively expect it.

In all these pictures the people were unknown to the photographer, but in three of them it is clear that they were well aware of being the main focus of interest.

Always look out for the unexpected detail that gives the key to the location. It could be a sign on a door or a detail of a building, even something as mundane as an advertising hoarding. Clothing, as well as the overall lighting of the
picture, gives a good idea of the climate of a place.

Think about viewpoint when taking pictures like these. It may be worthwhile to crouch down and take the shot from below. It will make people look more dominant than if you are looking down on them. Consider also whether it is best to have them in the centre of the frame or to one side. In the latter case, if you are using autofocus and your camera has an autoexposure lock, first point the camera at the people, semi-depress the shutter release and hold it down to lock the setting, then move the camera to the desired position and take your shot.

By restricting the depth of field, the buildings in the background of a picture will be put out of focus very slightly. This helps emphasize your subject`s fine detail so that he becomes the focal point.

Willis J. Watson is a freelance writer since 2006, living in United States and he writes about his great passion...digital photography for about 4 years. If you want to read more informations about Digital Sports Photography and also read more reviews about Youth Sports Photography, you can check out his websites.