What is the subject of this picture? Lately, I've been playing a little game with myself as I take everyday photos, asking myself this very question.
When my kids are engaged in an activity there are many ways to look at and see the situation. I'll usually get the requisite image of their full facial expression and a view of what it is that they're doing. Then I go for more.
Having sweetened cereals (especially in these tiny boxes) is not an everyday thing for us, in fact, this is a first/very occasional treat that was enjoyed with great enthusiasm. To represent that idea, I put the packaging in focus and happy little Marty there in the background. [Ha, like in advertising ... "come on, show the packaging, show the packaging."] I'm playing with, and learning, the different features of my camera to bring forgrounds and backgrounds into focus.
It's worth noting that I'm working with a point and shoot camera. (I have the Samsung NV10). Sometime this year I plan to purchase a digital SLR, but I've told myself until then I'm going to work on getting the best I can with what I've got. And I've been happy with many results lately.
Here's an example of how focusing on the forground or the background effects the subject of the image.
See how focusing on different aspects of the scene lends a new slant to the story of the picture? Both show that Helen is fully engrossed in her project, but lately I've really liked shots like that first one the best. It shows those stamps - some of the tools that she is working with -- rather than just her, and that can say a lot.
This has been a pretty fun little game for me over the last week or so. Ah ... the economy of digital imagery; we don't need to worry about having too many exposures.
The lighting is better in this example:
Again, I'm not a photographer, but in as much as we are the documentarians of our own life and the lives of our families, it's worth trying some different things here and there to enhance our stories.
Those settings are there on your camera for a reason. Go ahead ... play.
