Orangila's Photography Course for @digitalmind

During last week's Teh Tarik Session (TeamMalaysia Discord live chat session), @digitalmind shared his list of accomplishments and achievements over his 100 day in Steemit.

You can find out details from:
@digitalmind's - 100th Day in Steemit : A review of the Learning & Achievements, Ups & Down's in Steemit
@zord189 - Team Malaysia | Teh Tarik Sundays EP05 | 13.05.2018 (#newmalaysia special)

His next 100 days is focused on smartphone photography and he did seek my help. I am more than happy to help out so I promised him that I would. After all, it is aligned with my ongoing project to offer Photography courses to fellow Steemians.

You can check my photography course materials here:
Orangila's Photography Course - Outline
Orangila's Photography Course - Part 1 (1 Second Rule & Rule of Thirds)

Below are photos taken from recent photos of @digitalmind and photos were all taken by him and I assume he took them with his smartphone. Below are comments directed directly to him and hope the rest of you can learn a thing or two from my comments.

A) Add Secondary Element

Main subject for this photo is the ladies fingers (aka okra). It is great that the okra are located on the top third (Rule of Thirds) of the photo and the entire okra plan consist of a good 70% of the photo. However, it is a bit monotone for 2 reasons:

1. Grass and leaves on the background and the okra plant are almost identical.
2. Almost all the colors on this photo are earthly colors and there is no major contrast in color.

Few suggestions to improve on this photo:

1. Hang a prop (for example: tiny Malaysian flag or ribbon or a charm) to the plant. But be sure that the prop is of opposite color. So based on the color wheel below, orange or red will be perfect compliment.
   
   Source:

2. Capture this photo during golden hour (dawn or dusk) and take it from an angle so that the green okra plant is the primary object and the background is the orange sunrise/sunset with bluish or purplish sky.

3. Use an app on smartphone to add a watermark or writing/description on this photo at the bottom part of the photo. Again, use red or orange color to provide a nice contrast.

B) Avoid distractions

When taking photos, we only want the audience to see what is essential. Everything else is a distraction. There are cases like wedding photography or travel photography where it is close to impossible to eliminate photobombs or distractions. Tips and tricks is to take photos from different angle or outright avoid taking photos that is impossible to turn out nice.

Everything left of this photo is a distraction.

Trick is to crop the photo. Another way is to take a photo where background is either plain or nicely decorated (like a fancy hotel, restaurant or garden)

The motorcyclist and the divider (orange and white) are distractions and add no value to the photo.

I understand this photo isn't prefect as not all 5 fingers are shown, but it is imperative to eliminate the background on the left of the photo.

C) Perspective

It is natural for us to take photos of pets and children from our point of view. For this case, if you can lower your smartphone to the eye level of the cat or place the smartphone on the floor, chances are high that the photo will turn out to be more interesting.

This is a photo I took from one of the MyJuniors event. And I purposely went as low as I could. My objective is to show everyone how it is like to be in a classroom from a perspective of a child sitting down on the floor.

D) Almost Perfect

Primary subjects are you and the bananas (as well as the huge banana leaves). It meets the Rule of Thirds and no major distractions. Only thing is that the primary subjects are blur while the focus is on the background. You can notice that the drain, pipe and background is on focused. If the opposite is true, then this photo will be perfect.

On a side note:
@roseri & @ismaelugas - I am your assigned tutor for Steemiteducation photography course, will be giving similar critique to your work. But first, I will need to know a bit more about your goals before I can provide each of you with customised course work. Please read my e-mail and respond when you have a moment.

This is also a makemesmile post because I love helping others with photography and the photo of @elizacheng's daughters (the 3 girls in pink t-shirt) just bring me wonderful memory of me playing with them. :)

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Thank You For Reading My Post. I am most passionate about photography and eager to help fellow Steemians to improve on their photography skill. I am happy to give free tutorial, offer advice and step by step instructions to help you take better photos. You can contact me on Discord at orangila#9358

Caricature by @sireh