Learn Digital Photography – The Three Circle Approach of What to Shoot
The most common question asked by photographers who are just beginning their journey asks… which should you shoot! You’ve just bought a new camera, and you’ve worked out the best way to use it, but what will you shoot? Dressed up but with nowhere to go. Where do you find the inspiration and the creativity to begin taking pictures? Here are three steps to help you get started.
We all struggle with our creativity at one point or another, and beginners aren’t all on their own in the search for ideas on what images to take, just as writers experience writer’s block, as do photographers in a similar way. How can you overcome this? I’ve developed the three-circle approach for my students, which is a straightforward method to get the creativity flowing.
1. Circle number one Close-ups
Begin the exercise in your own home. If you take a close look, there’s plenty to capture. I prefer to concentrate on close-ups since you can’t indeed shoot landscapes or other significant subjects inside your home. Being closer to the subject helps to pay attention to the finer details and aids in learning. Look for interesting objects in your home. When you look closer, you will see the details that you don’t usually be able to see, like the fine mesh screen on your stereo speakers or the sparkling faucets in your bathroom, as well as the drainage racks in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless, it’s just a matter of looking for them with care, and before you know it, you’ll have an abundance of ideas. The ability to perceive the finer details and worlds within worlds will help you develop your photographic abilities overall.
2. Circle two medium shots
This exercise is your first step away from closer-ups of the space around your home and your garden. You are looking for larger objects or things to photograph, explore your garden. Wheelbarrows and garden taps, shutters, doors, or birdbaths are just a few options that can make excellent photographs. In this case, you could complete the alphabet test. Choose an item that starts with every one of the letters in the alphabet until you’ve photographed all twenty-six. This will test your imagination and creativity. If you’re unable to locate twenty-six objects, then take pictures of concepts or ideas like L in love and F for fun, with each concept being represented by an alphabet. The goal for this is to capture larger objects or concepts.
3. Circle three Wide shots
Take to the sidewalks of your commercial district and let your imagination run wild. There’s a lot happening, both large and small, and the possibilities are endless. You aren’t lacking ideas. Here, you can concentrate on a specific theme. Look for things that have a similar theme, like post boxes, windows, doors reflections, and doors. Make sure you get the spirit of the event, such as billboards, large trucks as well as church steeples. You can slow down the shutter speed to the point that the people disappear and the focus remains on the objects, not people. I could go on and on about ideas, but the main point of the game is to get you to go out and take pictures.
To get started shooting, you must get out and practice. If you’re not investing hours of shooting, you won’t develop your photography. Ideas will start flowing when you begin to do something about them. Enjoy shooting!
