TIPS from Richard Maack
Simple Steps to Better Photographs
- "If your photographs are no good, you're not close enough." Robert Capa
- Or... Decide on your subject and fill the frame with it.
- Interesting foregrounds will add depth and visual appeal.
- When photographing children and pets, get down and photograph them on their level.
- Don't always center your subject in the viewfinder. Use the "Rule of Thirds" to add interest to your compositions. Divide the viewfinder into thirds, then arrange the subjects of your composition so items of interest are grouped along the lines dividing the thirds (horizon lines, trees, cactus, people), or so that significant elements are situated at the points where the thirds come together.
- Try to achieve a balanced composition. Don't make one side of your photograph more heavily weighted than the other.
- Strong diagonal lines will create a sense of movement and add drama to the composition.
- Be aware of all the elements in your compositions. Watch out for telephone poles, wires, and other distractions that might negatively impact the visual cohesiveness of the photo.
- Shoot vertical compositions as well as horizontal ones. The vertical frame has a natural dynamic tension and can add drama to the photograph. For editorial uses vertical photographs are better suited to full pages and front covers.
- When possible, photograph in the early morning and late afternoon. Low, diffused light at sunrise and sunset is much warmer in tone and more flattering to most subjects.
- Shadows create drama! Don't always photograph with the sun at your back. For variety, use cross-lighting or backlighting for your subjects.
Richard was born in Chicago and developed a love of western history and landscape through the work of photographers such as Ansel Adams and what he saw on the pages of Arizona Highways magazine. In 1981 Richard moved to Arizona, where he divided his time between Arizona Highways, other publications, and a wide variety of corporate clients. In 1996 Richard accepted the position of Photography Editor for Arizona Highways. He continues to work as a photographer for Arizona Highways.
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