Cathy O'Hanlon from Sunnybrae Normal School

1. Digital Photography
Workshop
Sunnybrae Normal School
15th May 2007

2. A 21st Century baby is born!

3. All great pictures are well composed.
There is a balance.
Here are a few tips to help you take better pictures.

4. Learn the Rule of Thirds
Avoid placing your subject in the centre
This... not this

5. • Divide the view into thirds, horizontally and
vertically

6. • Place the subjectcentre of the frame
where the lines intersect,
instead of in the

7. Not this...

8. Rather this

10. Make the eyes
the focal point

13. If you can’t get the subject on the intersection,
put it on one of the line of thirds.

18. The more intersections or
lines you can target, the better.

20. Look for elements that lead
the eyes through the photo

23. Give space in the background
to walk or look into
Not this... Rather this ...

26. Pay attention to framing
• Nothing ruins a photo faster than distracting
elements in the background.
• Look all around the edges of the frame

27. In bright sunlight
• Use flash to light the faces
Not this But this

28. Not this
But this

29. Try focussing off centre
- master the two step shutter
• Use the first click
to focus and hold
it down
• Move the camera so
the focussed image is
on the side

31. Action Shot
• Predict the action
• Focus on where the action will take place

32. Try framing your photo with the foreground

35. Try getting in close
(using macro mode)
• Don’t use flash
• Don’t use zoom

37. Vary your line of sight

38. Try a snail or bird’s eye view

39. Use interesting angles

40. Look for patterns

41. in nature...

44. ... and man made

45. You can use your camera as a
colour photocopier
• Prop the page at a
450 angle
• Hold theout from the
camera
directly
page. Watch for glare.

46. Most of all
have fun catching the moment
Photos by Cathy O’Hanlon