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Photo Tips & Techniques

TakeGreatPictures.com is a website devoted to educating the public about photography and how to take better pictures.  Richard Rabinowitz and Tyrone Roblin together with the Photo Marketing & Distributing Association have brought together hundreds of talented photographers, celebrities and ordinary people to bring the fun back into photography.  It’s a huge gathering of the best talent and ideas in the industry and is really a resource for anyone interested in photos.

There are photo projects which show you how to build a website, design a T-shirt, print your images at home, use online printing services, make business and greeting cards.  My daughter Caitlin is currently finishing an article on making a “pinhole camera”…a great Summer project to keep the kids occupied and interested in photography.  There’s even an article on how to make soap with photographs on it and photo lampshades!  From puppets to refrigerator magnets, TGP is a goldmine for parents and teachers alike.

You can get advice on buying a film or digital camera and be inspired by the work of the thirty plus Master Photographers who have put their work up on the site and give tips on taking great pictures.  The site also has a calendar of events that lend themselves to great pictures. And if you are traveling to a new place, chances are that TGP has a story listing the best sites in that. Photo stories ranges from exotic locales like Burma to my much beloved hometown, Brooklyn, New York.  Check out the Photogenic Events & Destinations Calendar for more than 280 items from across the country and around the world.  You don’t have to travel to take great pictures.  You just need a camera.  So whether you are going to a warm tropical climate or the Artic, there’s information on how to prepare yourself to get great photos. 

Create a story.  As we go through these images, you’ll notice that they are ordered as an itinerary and the pictures are appropriate to each place. We began anchoring at the Wye River and the lighthouse on that point is a classic milestone.  For St. Michael’s, we have the sailboat anchored in the Miles River and the next image is the St. Michael’s Museum, followed by the Canon which symbolizes St. Michael’s historic defense against the British. 

The images go on to document life on the water and end up at Herrington Harbour which is the Bay’s most luxurious Marina and the photographs reflect the people, children and pets who are relaxing there for July 4th.

Keep your camera handy and know your subject.  As the boat navigated through St. Michaels’  harbor, I had my wife steer the boat near the Osprey which normally fly away from you.  As luck would have it, the Osprey was just returning to the nest with a fish.

If you see a good shot, walk by it and return.  Notice that the shot of the father and two children fishing seems unstaged but in fact, I had passed by, given them a big hello, and walked away only to return a few minutes later to ask how the fishing was going and was able to get off a few frames before anyone got nervous about the camera.

Carry your camera with you at all times.  Although I carry a couple of large professional cameras with me on the boat, I rely for the most part on the Coolpix 5700 and the waterproof disposable camera.  They fit in my pocket and I’m not out too much money if I drop them. Because they are light, I CARRY THEM EVERYWHERE. 

If you have to think about carrying your camera, it’s too heavy!  The lighter the better. The Canon shot taken in St. Michaels  was taken on the way to get lunch. Notice it was pouring but the camera was hidden under my rain gear.  You can also carry the ultimate protection—a  Ziplock  plastic bag.  It doesn’t look classy but you’ll get lots of pictures. 

*Note: If you aren't crazy about the idea of using a Ziploc bag protecting your camera from the elements then take a look at the latest article in Digital Photography.

If you shoot film, use a lab that will print your images, digitize them and put them on CD so you can create a website or email images to friends.  Show Photo CD.  It’s cool because you can store and retrieve your images easily.  You’ll find information on TGP about the variety of programs for storage.

While a sunset shot like the Wye River lighthouse is traditionally the very best time to shoot, many of the best pictures in this group were done in the rain (ie: Museum, Canon, crossing the bay…the gray skies lend themselves to this Maritime Museum and if you only shoot when it’s sunny, you’ll only get 50% of your trip. 

Be Prepared for the unexpected and for the humorous.  I was walking out to the fuel dock to make some arrangements when I passed the Pug sitting there on the big yacht.  Herrington Harbour has an annual “Blindfolded Dinghy Race” which always makes for some fun pictures and the big guy in the little dinghy is amusing.  Once again, if you don’t have your camera, you don’t get the shot.

LOOK! …And if you look and don’t see anything interesting, TURN AROUND as Jill Enfield always says.   I went to the beach and nothing was happening. This young man jumping was as bored as I but we both found a way to amuse ourselves.  The grandfather and boy sitting under the umbrella on a rainy day just looked like a nice moment.

TAKE PICTURES AND FIND OUT WHO’S GUILTY LATER ON! 

GET CLOSE AND THEN GET CLOSER!   IF YOU DON’T HAVE A LONG LENS, LET YOUR FEET DO THE ZOOMING!

Use flash on nice days!  The group shot of my cousin Ron and friends would have been dreary without the little bit of fill flash I threw into the shot.  You can see it reflected in his glasses.  If I had not used it, the people would have been silhouetted against the bright background.

If you are going near the water, I sure hope you are going in so bring a waterproof disposable camera just for fun.  Photography is fun so make sure you can take your camera everywhere.  The final shot in this group was taken in thirty knots of wind as we crossed the shipping channel in the fog.  I really didn’t have time to get out a good camera out but the disposable fits neatly in pocket and gave me a picture to remember an anxious but exciting time.

If you would like to see more of Stephen's work, be sure to pay a visit to www.srbphoto.com

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