There's no better place to let your creativity run wild than in your own home. Here to help us take our photo skills from amateur to professional is Martin Waugh, master photographer...
If I want to move beyond simple point and shoot photography, what functionality should I look for in a camera?
One of the main differences between point-and-shoot and professional-looking images is the depth of field. In a point-and-shoot image, the whole image is pretty much in focus; both objects that are close and those that are far away. This is called a wide depth of field. It's a great feature to ensure your subject will be crisp, but it can detract from emphasizing the center of attention.
A more shallow depth of field is created by a large aperture in the lens. The size of the aperture (the hole in the lens through which the light travels) is measured in f-stops. Ironically, the smaller the f-stop number, the larger the aperture. If I want to have a more shallow depth of field, I'll use f/2.8 or f/4. This is what I do when I am taking pictures of people and want to have them separated from the background, so they appear as the real subject of the picture. It creates a sense of intimacy, as if the viewer were standing close to the person and only paying attention to their face.
The rub is that a larger aperture in a lens requires larger pieces of glass which means higher cost. But it also means more artistic control and better pictures.
I’m interested in experimenting with my camera to create my own photographic art. Do you have any tips or advice?
Pay attention to accidents and mistakes. In my work, many of the most intriguing things happened by accident. I try to be aware of unexpected results and question why they occurred and what I can do to intentionally cause them. Serendipity is a fertile muse.
Be very critical about detail. When considering an image, look closely at each area of the field of view and try to understand what part it plays in the overall message. One of my repeated mistakes is to not observe the corners of the scene while I’m taking the picture, and end up with distracting elements. I try to remind myself to look all around on each shot but there are a hundred things I’m trying to pay attention to, and this is one I often miss.
Martin Waugh's creative use of high-speed photography makes it possible to capture the smooth and effortless curves of liquid. He received his B.S. degree in Physics from Lewis and Clark College in Oregon and currently lives in Portland. His work can be found in both corporate and private art collections. www.liquidsculpture.com
Thought this was sweet? Related links:
- Check out some of Martin's work in our Eye Candy column.
- Love art? Check out the I Love You series.
- Not ready to do it yourself? Let someone else turn your photos into art. Sweethome Tip: it's not just for babies!