Day Ten: “Architecture” — Go Monochrome Developing Your Eye

Day Ten: “Architecture” — Go Monochrome

When we talk about monochrome in photography, we’re referring to images developed or executed in black and white or in varying tones of only one color.

Today, think about how black, white, gray, and the shades in between can interact in your frame in dynamic ways. As you compose your architecture shot, look for sharp lines, distinct patterns, defined shapes, large surface areas, and very light and very dark colors.

If you’ve never shot in black in white, many devices and phone cameras let you switch to black and white shooting mode right in the camera. In the iPhone, for example, select the Mono, Tonal, or Noir settings to shoot in monochrome.

Learn more about black and white photography and get inspired by moody, dramatic images in Merilee’s great tutorial on shooting in black and white.

Day Nine: “A Pop of Color” Developing Your Eye

Day Nine: “A Pop of Color” — Incorporate Color

The colors in our photographs are evocative and rouse emotions within us. Color can elevate a mundane image into something beautiful and intriguing, and can tell a tale within the frame.

Today, pay attention to how color affects your image. Let color be the star!

Today’s Tip: Keep it simple: experiment with only one color.

Visit the resource page for tips on incorporating color. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants!

Day Eight: “Treasure” — Zoom In Developing Your Eye

 Only God can make such a beautiful thing so that is a real treasure!

The earth laughs in flowers.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day Eight: “Treasure” — Zoom In

Objects, places, people, moments — we all cherish something or someone. Anything deeply meaningful to you can be a treasure.

A treasure can be grand, like a precious heirloom, or teeny-tiny, like the first plump blackberry of spring atop a tart.

Or perhaps it’s the vintage coat passed down from your grandmother, your once-in-a-lifetime trip through the Himalayas, a quiet space in the woods, or your children. What’s your treasure?

Today’s Tip: Get close to your subject. Use the zoom function in your camera, or physically move closer to it. Often, our goal is to capture as much of a scene as we can. This time, zoom in on your subject or a particular detail to tell a more interesting story.

Visit the resource page for details. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants!

Day Six: “Solitude” Developing your eye

Day Six: “Solitude” — The Rule of Thirds

Today, let’s capture solitude: the state of being alone, or a lonely and uninhabited place. What does this word look like to you?

Today’s Tip: Pay attention to the placement of your subject. As you frame your shot, consider the Rule of Thirds, which is a great introductory lesson in composition. Divide your shot into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, so you get nine parts:

Place your subject at the intersections of these lines (or along them) to create a dynamic, off-center composition.

Visit the resource page for details on the Rule of Thirds. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants!

Day Seven: “Big” Developing your eye

Day Seven: “Big” — A Point of View

Today, let’s go big. Photograph something of massive size, inside or outside. Get creative with your shot: Capture all or just part of the subject. Place it in the foreground so it takes up the entire frame. Or shoot it from afar so it appears smaller — yet still prominent.

Present something big through your eyes!

Today’s Tip: Once you’ve chosen your subject, experiment with your POV, or point of view. Earlier in this course, you’ve moved forward and backward, and perhaps climbed to a higher level to capture an image. Today, snap a photo from an unexpected angle.

Visit the resource page for more tips on POV. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants!

 

Worldless Wednesday

Day 4 Bliss

My bliss is seeing a cruise ship in the distance. I love to cruise because of the fun, people, entertainment and the great food. But, the best part is the places that I get to visit!

Day Four: “Bliss” — Add Captions

What is your idea of bliss? Is it an image of your family, laughing at the dinner table? A state of total relaxation, while lying on the beach? Your latest painting, drying on the canvas?

What is bliss to you?

Today’s Tip: See the short description under the photo? That’s a caption. Today, add a caption to your image so viewers know what they’re looking at!

Visit the resource page for more on adding a caption. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants!

Day Three: “Water” — Image Orientation

In the Caribbean. The water is beautiful.

We all have stories about water: how it has saved or defeated us. How it reminds us of family vacations, outdoor adventures, or the hot summers of our childhood. How it symbolizes a place we’ve left behind, or one we dream of visiting.

How will you interpret today’s theme?

Today’s Tip: Ever wonder whether a photograph will work better horizontally or vertically? After you snap your picture, rotate your camera and take a shot from the other orientation — horizontally if you first took the picture vertically, and vice versa. Which way works better?

Visit the resource page for more on image orientation. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants!

Day 2 Street -Developing your Eye

 

Day 2 Street Page Visit the resource page

Day Two: “Street” — Establishing Shot

Yesterday, we asked you to interpret home in your own way. Today, let’s focus on a street. It can be a quiet road blanketed in snow, an alley covered with murals, or a busy avenue where pedestrians weave between cars and motorbikes.

Wander your neighborhood — or someplace new — to capture your street snapshot.

Today’s Tip: While you’re free to take a picture from any angle, try to capture an establishing shot: a wide-angle photo that sets up a scene. You may need to back up a few steps, or climb some stairs to higher ground to fit the whole scene in one shot.

Visit the resource page for details on taking a wide shot. Remember to tag your post with #developingyoureye and check the Reader to see posts from fellow course participants

Day 1 Home-Developing Your Eye

When I think of home I see the Mackinaw Bridge because I live in the upper lower of Michigan. The bridge is 5 miles long and it connects to upper Michigan. Also lakes are a big part of Michigan, I live across the street from Lake Huron.