Things To Look For When Taking Photographs

Interesting Subjects — What Do You Love?
Shoot what you love. For me, that would be primitive antiques. I love to see old functional things like furniture and useful, as well as decorative pieces. Right now I am looking at the back of a handmade ladder back chair. It is fabulous (in my opinion).

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Beauty is everywhere. Old glass is particularly intriguing with its rough pontils and blown glass bubbles. Blue slip salt glazed stoneware pottery is a favorite of mine. Also Canton blue and white dishes from the 1700s. When searching for these treasures, keep in mind that early plates have no maker’s marks. Beauty In Nature—Flowers, Plants, Trees, Paths, Formations, Moss, Sand, Beaches, Rocks, Stones, Gems, Water, Weeds, Wildflowers,  etc., etc.

Light
Move objects to get the best use of light and shadow in the photograph and/or move yourself. Walk around. Three steps in any direction (forward, back, to the right, to the left) can make a huge difference in what you see.

Composition  
Read up on variations of composition. The use of odd numbered objects: one, three, five, seven. Odd is more interesting that even, however this rule is often broken. Overlap things so they flatter each other. Keep in mind that your subject is the “star of the show.”

Opposites
Examples: rough/smooth (old, rough wood/velvet); soft/hard (cotton ball clouds/stones); life and death i.e. living things shown with unusual artifacts, etc.