Top 10 Tips for Great Pictures (#6-#10) by John Linton

Aamora member John Linton concludes his instructive presentation of Kodak’s classic “Top 10 Tips for Great Pictures”,  insightfully demonstrating each tip with his own photographs. 

For the original Kodak Top 10 Tips, click here. You may want to begin by reviewing John’s the first 5 tips here.

And now, for tips #6-10. Pens and notebooks ready?

Ladies and gentlemen, John Linton!

TIP #6:  “Lock the focus to create a sharp picture of off-center subjects. a. Center the subject. b. Press the shutter button half way down. c. Re-frame your picture (while still holding the shutter button). d. Finish by pressing the shutter button all the way.” TIP #7:  “Bring your picture to life simply by placing you subject off-center. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your view finder. Now place your subject at one of the intersections of lines. Since most cameras focus on whatever’s in the middle, remember to lock the focus on your subject before re-framing the shot.” TIP #8:  “Pictures taken beyond the maximum flash range will be too dark. For many cameras that’s only ten feet – about four steps away. Check your manual to be sure. If the subject is further than ten feet from the camera, the picture may be too dark.” TIP #9:  “Great light makes great pictures. Study the effects of light in your pictures. For people pictures, choose the soft lighting of cloudy days. Avoid overhead sunlight that casts harsh shadows across faces. For scenic pictures, use the long shadows and color of early and late daylight.” TIP #10: “Take an extra minute and become a picture director, not just a passive picture-taker. Add some props, rearrange your subjects, or try a different viewpoint. Bring your subjects together and let their personalities shine. Then watch your pictures dramatically improve.” Well, that’s all for today.  Professor Linton’s office hours will be posted on the board. Probably. If you have any questions on today’s lesson, he reminds you that Kodak probably has a toll-free number or something. Now get out there and shoot something!

*****
John Linton is aamora.com’s floundering member living in Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, the state with the biggest name and smallest size. View more of John’s work on his Flickr stream, JPG Magazine or aamora.

13 thoughts on “Top 10 Tips for Great Pictures (#6-#10) by John Linton”

  1. there is no one..(maybe thats a good thing)LOL quite like John..for so long now I have made a point of checking out whatever John’s current fascination may be..to be sure..it will lead to a funny comment or clever take on what ever he is about!
    Always ahead of his time!Clever! clever! clever!

  2. I really don’t know if there’s anywhere else on the net where one can find expert photographic advice from stars such as John and Crystal. Aamora is unique!

  3. I have never seen such a ridiculous take on valid tips in my life. Those of you who are encouraging him should be ashamed of yourselves. If you put a point and shoot camera in his hands he’d do for photography what the greatest Vice President in the history of the United States of America unfortunately did for bird hunting. A throw away camera would be too good for him.

    Aamora, I beseech you, don’t allow John to pull a promising fine art photography site into the gutter.

    “Oh, the humanity.”

  4. Your ten tips skills are improving. These rank right up there with the best, Mr Linton. Now if only your snaps could improve to that degree. Nevermind. Keep trying.

  5. Butch,
    How did you get in here? Ladies and gentlemen, if you see Butch as you pass through the lobby (he’s often over there in the left corner by the window), and you don’t think you can get him to leave, then pass a few pleasant words with him and don’t give him anything.
    The Management

  6. Dude, the Yankees won! So why you look so bummed in #9?

    “Great colours for the season
    Number nine, number nine
    Who’s to know?
    Who was to know?
    Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine
    Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine
    Number nine, number nine, number nine, number nine”

    Rock on dude.

  7. John you are just about the funniest/funnest/funny guy I don’t really know!! Your tips — one’s that I’ll surely put to use — have me LOL. I can’t wait for the next 10 tips!!!
    Wait…..are these hunting tips or photography tips????
    :~)

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