Focusing on well-composed images

During the Allison Corrin Photography CAPTURE workshop, I took this photo utilizing the rule of thirds. The workshop was held at The Vintage House in Overland Park. We worked on correct exposure during the majority of the workshop and touched on framing when we were photographing outside.

We attended Discover the Dinosaurs at Bartle Hall in Kansas City. I stopped to take a photo of Squirt holding hands with his Mimi and Mom as we all walked toward the ticket line. I love capturing these real life moments. Lifestyle photography is definitely one of my favorite things – capturing the everyday as it happens.

Squirt hands his ticket to the Bartle Hall employee before entering the Discover the Dinosaurs event. He was so excited to go see all the dinosaurs. To me, this moment is what lifestyle photography is all about – capturing the moments that tell a story.

He was amazed by the first dinosaurs we saw upon entering the Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit at Bartle Hall in Kansas City. Framing was the concept this week in the CM University course, and I tried to utilize Squirt’s surroundings as often as possible to improve the composition.

I will forever love the way his face lights up when dinosaurs are involved. The joy and excitement that shows in his eyes and the way he talks is incredible. I hope he is always this excited about something in life. Staring at long necks at the Discover the Dinosaurs exhibit at Bartle Hall in Kansas City. Framing was the concept this week in the CM University course, and I tried to utilize Squirt’s surroundings as often as possible to improve the composition.

We watched the Super Bowl at a friend’s house and Emmy provided our own halftime entertainment. She had the boys help her build castles. I was still working on framing this week, and placed Emmy between Justin (in gray) and the furniture on the right side of the image. Emmy’s mom was behind and to the left, adding more depth to the image.

Emmy loves having her picture taken, so this one is less candid. She also loves to peak at the back of my camera after I take the photo. In this one, I framed her between the two fellas helping her build her castles.

Filling the frame is another composition tool that we touched on during the course. I chose to focus on Banner’s eyes and fill the frame with his head for this image. It took a lot of bribing with treats to get him to hold still.

The repeating pattern on this grate on the back of a flatbed trailer create an interesting image out of what would usually be an ordinary object.

The reflection of the trees and sky on the lake add a depth of field that might not otherwise be there if there hadn’t been a reflection on the water.

Justin sent me flowers while I was at work the Friday before Valentine’s Day. There are several circles in the image and I tried to utilize the rule of thirds for this photo.

Squirt delivered this flower himself on the Thursday before Valentine’s Day. The circle, rule of thirds and negative space, as well as the perspective, work together to create a compelling image.

Banner, Justin and I had just finished a walk and he was still on cloud nine from his outing. Using the shoot-from-above perspective, I was able to make my 70-pound dog appear much smaller than he is.

This photo was taken less than five minutes later, as Banner started to get tired. This one was taken at eye level with Banner. His body is hiding behind his head in the photo, which adds some depth to the image.

I bought these cacti and the succulent at Home Depot and thought they were perfect to use for perspective comparison. Shooting from above, using the rule of thirds and some leading lines from the shadows definitely make this image my favorite of the three.

Shooting at eye level would be my second favorite, but it definitely allowed for more distraction in the background of the image.

Shooting from below did make the cacti and succulent look larger, but I think the black plastic flower pots take something away from the image.

After riding horses on Saturday, Kali and I spent some time playing with Squirt on his swing set. Using the rule of thirds and laying on the ground to shoot slightly up at my subject, I think this image becomes more compelling than if I had just captured the image head on. He is also framed by the swings on either side of him.

I continued to lay on the ground while Squirt played on his swing set. I love the framing in the photo, the perspective and that he is wearing his mud boots with shorts.

Kali worked with Squirt while he was swinging, teaching him to pump his legs back and forth so he wouldn’t need to be pushed. I am still laying on the ground while taking this photo, trying to practice with a perspective other than at eye-level. I think shooting from below and making Squirt appear larger in these photos helps convey the feeling of him getting bigger and learning to do things on his own.

Squirt used a stick he found on the ground as his “sword” as he and Kali had sword fights. I stood on his swing set to look down at him and try to capture the feeling of him being this small, of just being a toddler.

Squirt is laughing as he gets into the swing after I adjusted the height so his feet wouldn’t drag the ground. This shoot-from-below perspective isn’t as noticeable as others, but still shows how big he is.

Squirt smiles as he pumps his legs back and forth to swing without being pushed. Yet again, laying on my belly on the ground to shoot this image.