Basic Photography Tips from Photo Field
Imaging
By: Stephen Cornfield
You found this article because you are interested in
photography or live in the Newmarket Ontario area,
which is located just north of Toronto.
My name is Stephen Cornfield and I own a company
called Photo Field Imaging (www.photofieldimaging.com).
We provide photographic as well as digital photo
editing and digital scanning services (photographs,
negative and slides).
 As
a photographer in Newmarket Ontario, I have found
that no matter where you are, there is a seemingly
endless amount of subjects to shoot. All you have to
do at times is to open your eyes and go find them.
Sometimes when I go out I do not know what I will
find. Often, though, I will have an idea of what I
would like to shoot, but finding the exact subject
and location for my idea do not always come
together.
In the Newmarket area there are many outdoor places
that can provide you with photographic
opportunities. Fairy Lake (my favorite) and the
trial systems are just a couple. You can also shoot
indoors at "The Tannery" once a permit has been
attained.
As you go around and talk to photographers you will
find that some love landscapes, for others it is
wildlife but for me it is people. Does that mean
that I do not occasionally go and intentionally
shoot landscapes or wildlife? Of course I do, when
the opportunity arises. I love shooting people in
both formal and informal settings. By formal
settings I mean for occasions when people are
dressed up and are expecting to be posed or posing
in certain ways (i.e. weddings). Informal settings
could be birthday partings, social get togethers,
etc..
To me, when I am looking for a shooting location
I am always thinking background, background,
background. What is in the background? Will the
background be a distraction in the photograph? Will
the background serve as simply background or a
backdrop? Is there garbage or other unwanted
artifacts lying around? Will the background add to
or take away from the subject? Trust me. A
background can either make or break a photograph.
The second thing that I look for is lighting. What
time of day is it? Is the sun high in the sky? Is it
overcast (i.e. cloudy)? Etc. I personally love to
shoot on overcast days, where the light is more
diffused (i.e. no harsh shadows or "speckly"
backgrounds). If the light is harsh then I prefer to
shoot in shady areas where the light can be more
controlled. If I am shooting a subject that is out
in the open I try to make sure that the scene is not
backlit. If a scene is backlit it can make it very
difficult to get proper exposure for the intended
subject.
Last, but not least, is the subject. Even a
photo of my beautiful wife can turn out bad if the
first two steps have not been completed properly.
When working with your subject some things to be
considered are: How is the subject posed? How is
their posture? Are they sitting/standing straight or
do they have rounded shoulders? How are there hands
positioned? Are their hands hanging like clumps of
meat or are they doing something? I personally like
to have the guys with their hands behind their backs
or one hand in their pocket with the other leaning
or resting on someone or thing.
I believe that if you are mindful of these things,
your photographic results will greatly improve.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any
questions or comments.
Stephen Cornfield Photo Field Imaging info@photofieldimaging.com
www.photofieldimaging.com 905-895-5605
About the Author
Stephen Cornfield is a photographer in Newmarket
Ontario. He has several years experience in
photographing sporting events, weddings, and
informal events. Through his company, Photo Field
Imaging, he also offers digital photo editing and
scanning of photographs, positives and negatives (of
various formats) into digital files.
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