Step In: Getting Closer to Get Better Shots

really recommend it and there is little or no impact to be had in the image.  The colors are dull and dingy (it is January after all :-D), and the background is distracting.

The second shot, however, is a different story.  Instead of a muddy, mostly rusty looking water pump, we can now see the amazing colors in the metal.  Who knew that the North Carolina weather, when mixed with metal, could create the greens and purples of this shot?   Add to the colors, the now-visible texture and the second image is far more interesting.  The narrow DOF in this shot makes the background less obtrusive, though I am not entirely happy with the crop in this shot.  I need to go back and reshoot now that I've seen these colors and the texture.

The point of this article is that sometimes we need to step in.  Get closer to the object than you might think you should and see what you get.  I shoot exclusively digital so I know that I have an advantage over film photographers in that I can afford to shoot 165 photos and end up with only 6 I liked today.  I can afford to experiment and I take full advantage of that option.  Remember that you will likely never keep every photo you take, but if you don't take them, don't take chances and try new approaches, you'll never improve.

All images in this article are copyrighted to Shari A. Malin (2003-2004).  They may not be reproduced without express, written permission.

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