From Snapshots to Photography

Watch the video below for a front-row seat in Jim Dicecco’s class for beginning to intermediate photographers on how to turn your snapshots into stunning photography. A professional photographer and Product Educator for Canon, Dicecco explains how by keeping just a few pointers in mind, you can tap into the creative right side of your brain and take your photography to the next level. Trying to keep his presentation as non-technical as possible, he focuses on two main topics: matching the right lens to the right situation, and choosing the most effective composition as you’re out shooting. The video is long, over an hour and a half, but is also fast-paced and packed with useful information:

Here are a few highlights:

Choosing a Lens

50 mm – creates a natural or realistic look, because it imitates how our eyes actually see

Wide-Angle (35 mm and lower) – captures more information than the eye can take in at once

typically for large landscapes/scenic shots or cramped interiors
can also be used for an interesting point of view that creates dramatic, graphic images because of the perspective distortion
can emphasize the foreground while the background stays in detailed focus for a sense of place

taken with a wide-angle lens

Telephoto (85 mm and higher) and Super-Telephoto (upwards of 300 mm)

short telephoto lenses are ideal for portraits because they offer mild compression for a more flattering shot
good to use with “camera-shy” subjects, whether people or animals, or simply to span physical distance
can visually isolate subjects for a crisp focus and a nicely blurred background

shot with a telephoto lens to compensate for the distance

“Typically, the rule of thumb is that you pick your telephoto lens based on where you are on the food chain: the lower you are, the longer you want it!”

shot with a telephoto lens to isolate the subject against a soft, blurred background

Specialty Lenses

Macro – for extremely close range, capturing minute detail; can also be used for portraits
Fisheye – super wide-angle for deliberate distortion

shot with a macro lens to capture the fine detail

Composition

look for what will catch the eye in a composition, including the brightest or sharpest object, geometric shapes, motion, and, of course, people
follow the “Rule of Thirds” (don’t place your subject in the center of the composition)
you can use cropping can improve the composition
look for balance and symmetry
composing your shot diagonally is another option

Check out some examples below: