Photography masterclass

Competition details inside!

This is why point-and-shoot cameras are so great - you can take one anywhere. This photo was taken near the top of Mt Grey in North Canterbury. Once again, the light is the key factor.

This photo was taken on the banks of the Avon River in Christchurch and is a good example of filling a frame with shape and colour. The person helps to give scale and context.

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WHEN I first started taking photos more than 20 years ago, I was a bit wary of making mistakes. Don't be ashamed of giving something a try. The best thing you can do to improve is to look at other photographers' work, look at it analytically, and understand what makes the picture work, and that can carry across to your efforts.

The advantage of using new digital cameras is you don't have to print and keep every photo. You can take plenty of pictures, as long as you have a decent memory card. The more you shoot, the more likely you are to get something special. Here are some simple tips to improve your photography, whether you're shooting people or scenery – or both.

LOOK FOR THE UNUSUAL

Choose subjects that you find interesting. If you think, "Look at that!", it'll probably make a nice picture. Look for the unusual, or the humorous. If you see a whole lot of tracks down the beach and a sign that says "No walking on the beach", that's a funny picture.

You have to be open to things that are a little bit unusual. Look at what makes people stand apart from others. For example, are they really wizened and how do you show that in a photograph?

WHEN TO ZOOM IN

When you're looking at a scene, especially with people in it, you either want to use the background, or lose it. Make use of surroundings and put things in context, otherwise it's better to get rid of the background by using a zoom lens, or using a different angle, for example, photographing a person against a clear blue sky. Then your photo concentrates on the action, rather than the scene.

Include the scene only if it really tells you more, or it tells you layers of the picture. So, for example, if in the foreground of a photograph you have presents, then you have people opening the presents, and there's a Christmas tree in the background, then you have context, and the picture tells you the story.

THINK ABOUT LIGHT

Your photo is totally dictated by light, but rather than looking at how much light there is, you're better off looking at how the light falls on the subject. Try turning people around to see the different effects. If you're shooting into the light with a longer lens, you get a halo effect, but if they're looking into the light you can get harsh shadows under the eyes and nose. Experiment with the light, and angles, and intensity. It might be better to move someone into the shadow to photograph them.

The most beautiful light is half an hour after dawn and half an hour before dusk. It's a very flattering light. Shooting with long shadows often makes for lovely pictures. If you're shooting a portrait of someone in broad daylight, and you can't get them in the shadow, it might be worth using your flash, but generally I try to avoid using flash, as it's harsh on faces.

RELAXED, NOT POSED

When you're dealing with people, don't get them to stand and smile at the camera. It's better to capture beautiful moments between people. If your kids walk into grandma's house and she gives them a big hug every time, then that's a beautiful picture. People are always touched more by natural moments than by people smiling at the camera, unless the subject is very photogenic.

Relax your subject by talking to them and relating to them. If they're not comfortable looking right down the camera, they might be better off looking slightly away. Take your time to drop the camera and talk to people, rather than talking to them from behind the camera.

Peter Meecham, director of photography for Fairfax Media in Auckland, has been a professional photographer for more than 20 years.

THE GEAR MYTH - By Lawrence Smith

As a budding amateur, photography should not be all about the gear.

Yes, you do need a camera that is technically versatile and is able to run on various different modes, manual being the most preferable. It doesn't, however, have to cost you the earth and come laden with extras.

A lot of cameras available today are sophisticated enough to take a good quality picture, while at the same time fitting in your back pocket. More often than not a less obtrusive and quieter approach is the way to snapping a great frame.

A subject may be far less aware and intimidated by a photographer with a small camera, who observes his subject until just before taking the picture.

As the great photographer Robert Capa said, "If your pictures are not good enough it means that you're not close enough."

Fairfax Sundays' Lawrence Smith was 2009 press photographer of the year.

COMPETITION: WIN WITH US

Put these expert tips to good use when you enter the Sunday Star-Times 'Perfect Sunday' photography competition, which opens today.

Purchase the Sunday Star-Times until March 21 for your chance to win one of 50 Canon IXUS80 IS or A1000 IS cameras, valued at more than $300 each.

You can also enter a photo into our 'Perfect Sunday' photo competition for your chance to win a Canon PowerShot SX20 IS Digital Compact Camera, valued at $899.

Your 'Perfect Sunday' could be relaxing at home with the family, or exploring the great outdoors, or however you choose to unwind on everyone's favourite day of the week.

The total prize pool is more than $17,000; for full competition and entry details, see page C8 of the print edition. We will publish the winning photograph and a selection of the best entries, as chosen by Peter Meecham and the team at the  Sunday Star-Times.

- © Fairfax NZ News