Looking for pictures

[TheGoofster]

I'm interested in how others (especially some of you awesome photographers) train yourself to look for good shots. Besides trying to teach myself at least one or two new features of my camera every week, I'm also trying to teach myself to be better at looking for interesting or unusual shots.

One thing I try to do, for example, is give myself a 5 shot challenge. Whenever I go anyplace new (or even not so new), I try to see if I can see at least 5 potential pictures that I could take that could be really interesting (and hopefully worth keeping). Most of the time I don't have my camera with me, but I still want to try and train my eye to quickly look for good shots (so when I do have my camera, I can hopefully see some shots that I otherwise might have missed).

I try to go for a long walk every morning (about 3-4 miles) and while I'm walking, I'm also constantly looking for things that would be cool to shoot. There are some things that are obviously "good" shots - an interesting building, or a dad holding his young child, but I also try to see "normal" things in a way that might make good shots - the way the sun hits a leaf, somebody doing something out of the norm, a normal scene shot in black in white, an out-of-focus shot, a dog sticking his head through a fence, etc....

I'm also constantly looking at people to see if I think they might make an interesting subject. Sure, it's easy to see a really pretty girl and think that she would be a good subject, but I like to look for more of the interesting or unusual side of people. What's funny is that it seems like I see many more men who would make interesting subjects than woman (especially older men, they just seem to radiate unusual features or characterstics).

Again, my goal is to teach myself to see as many potential shots in a given situation, even if I only have a couple of seconds to do it.

So what are some of the ways that you "teach" yourself to see interesting or potential shots?

 

[SrisonS]

I do much of what you already do. I'm constantly just looking at things, and trying to envision the best way to shoot them (I was actually at a doctor's visit yesterday, and saw a line of light fixtures that would make a very cool shot). I might not ever go out and take those actual pictures, but at least I'm training myself to view the world differently.

And it definitely helps to look at other people's work. Everyone has their own unique style and view, but at least it'll help you to think out the box a little. After taking a lot of crap pictures (not you in general), you'll finally find your niche. Not only your style, but maybe of subject matter too.

I've been getting more and more into taking candid pictures of people too. And you're right, the initial thought might be that a pretty woman is the most interesting subject; but that definitely isn't always true. I'd suggest checking out some of the groups on Flickr, and seeing some of these street shots. There is some INCREDIBLE talent on there.

 

[photo_chick]

Since I got my first camera when I was ten I started seeing the world in frames. Once I looked though that little 110's viewfinder I was gone. I see something and can see where I would crop in on the scene with my camera to get the shot. I never taught myself, it just happened. What I had to learn were the technical methods to capture the shots I envisioned with my camera.

One thing you can do to improve your composition and make more interesting shots is learn the basic rules of design. Once they get ingrained in you composing interesting shots in any situation gets a lot easier.

 

[TheGoofster]

And it definitely helps to look at other people's work. Everyone has their own unique style and view, but at least it'll help you to think out the box a little. After taking a lot of crap pictures (not you in general), you'll finally find your niche. Not only your style, but maybe of subject matter too.

I've been getting more and more into taking candid pictures of people too. And you're right, the initial thought might be that a pretty woman is the most interesting subject; but that definitely isn't always true. I'd suggest checking out some of the groups on Flickr, and seeing some of these street shots. There is some INCREDIBLE talent on there.

No, you're right on target about me and crap pictures.

I'm glad you mentioned looking at other people's work. I do that occasionally, but not as much as I should. I really need to get into a better habit of seeing what others do, and trying to incorporate things that I like.

Since I got my first camera when I was ten I started seeing the world in frames. Once I looked though that little 110's viewfinder I was gone. I see something and can see where I would crop in on the scene with my camera to get the shot. I never taught myself, it just happened. What I had to learn were the technical methods to capture the shots I envisioned with my camera.

One thing you can do to improve your composition and make more interesting shots is learn the basic rules of design. Once they get ingrained in you composing interesting shots in any situation gets a lot easier.

This reminds me of an old Andy Griffith episode where a TV producer came to town to shoot a small film about Mayberry, and he would walk around using his hands to make a frame to get a better idea of what would look good. Soon a lot of others were doing the same thing with their hands.

I do notice that the more I learn about my camera and various techniques, then like you said, the more potential shots I do seem to see.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

For whatever reason, I seem to find interesting shots much more easily if I leave the camera at home.

Lately I've been going to the same places I go every day for work (I'm a local truck driver) and have tried looking at things differently trying to envision what would be a good shot. This is going to sound a little stupid I'm sure, but I've been pretending I'm new to the area and this is the first time seeing what's in front of me. I know, I know, it's dumb BUT you'd be surprised how much you don't see when you see it every day.


And yes I have also been doing the fingers frame thing in the air.

Working 2nd shift I get to see the sun go down almost every day. Some days totally take my breath away with the different cloud formations and the full color spectrum from the sun setting. Unfortunately when I look at the sky, I mentally block everything else out that would be in the picture. I've had so many pictures that were breathtaking to witness in person, but when I pull the picture up at home later on, I never noticed the ugly telephone poles and wires, or the trees, buildings blah blah blah. The mid air framing might be weird to the guy across the street watching me, but it really has helped me get some of the basics down.

 

[tlcmommyx4]

I am such a creeper on this thread. I look everyday at all the wonderful pictures that everyone puts out here. I too got my camera a couple of months ago and I wonder if I will ever get as good as the present company on these boards. Back to the topic, I live in Oklahoma and it has been so cold and snowy that I find myself taking all kind of pictures of things budding. I guess I can't wait for spring. I think I have become much more aware of potential pictures, I just have to wait until we get some color in this great state. I think that spring will bring with it several opportunlities to get some great shots!
Just wanted to say thank you, i have been learning right along with you and you are a hugh help even if you don't know it I have one sunset that I took last Friday that I though was pretty good and since you see them often tell me how my rates.

 

[pjacobi]

You can read about the most basic rule of composition here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds


-Paul

 

[TheGoofster]

@Tlcmommy

That is a very beautiful shot. It's funny how sometimes we see a view such as that with our eyes, and it looks so amazing, but when we take a shot of it, it doesn't seem to match what we remember. But I think you did a good job of catching it at just the right moment. Please post more shots (of the sunset or anything else).

@PJacobi

I remember taking a basic photography course in college (20 something years ago), and one of the things that they really tried to instill in us was this rule (or at least something very similar to it).
I can't say that I always stick to it like I should, but for the most part I normally try to avoid centering my subject, and instead go for more of an off-centered / rule of thirds shot. I agree (not that my opinion really matters all that much) that an off-centered shot just looks much better than a centered shot.

 

[ColleenG]

Composition is something I have been trying to work on too. I've had my camera since the summer and I feel I've got a fairly good grip on the technical basics, but it's my composition that really needs work.

If I have the time to take a shot form a few different angles I try to do that just to see how it changes the perspective. I'm really waiting for some warmer weather too to get out and have some "alone" time with my camera.