By Irene Miller Wetzel, CBICC
Fully charged with Duck Donuts’ coffee and sweets, Eric Zimmett of Braden Social Media opened up his portfolio to give CBICC members some visible examples of photography at work during this week’s CBICC Seminar: Coffee & Cameras.
The tips that Zimmett shared are universal, whether implemented for professional or personal uses.
“I want to help people take better everyday photos of our experiences – those at events, with our family, our kids, even our pets,” explained Zimmett.
With that, class was in session and the next hour was spent exploring photos and discussing tips to improve our photography skills.
The tips that Zimmett shared are universal, whether implemented for professional or personal uses.
“I want to help people take better everyday photos of our experiences – those at events, with our family, our kids, even our pets,” explained Zimmett.
With that, class was in session and the next hour was spent exploring photos and discussing tips to improve our photography skills.
1. KEEp It Candid
This type of photography is preferred by Zimmett, where no staging is needed and the photo is simply in the moment, in action, and comes across as authentic.
To capture a candid moment, Zimmett suggested using the element of surprise. When photographing children, he recommended telling them to not smile and not look at the camera, which inevitably gets the opposite reaction. It may also be useful to have the subject expend some energy and then snap the photo.
To capture a candid moment, Zimmett suggested using the element of surprise. When photographing children, he recommended telling them to not smile and not look at the camera, which inevitably gets the opposite reaction. It may also be useful to have the subject expend some energy and then snap the photo.
Zimmett quickly captured this shot as Gary Brandeis chatted and poured a beer at The Scholar Hotel's Social Food + Drink.
2. Find a muse
“My daughter became my muse two to three years ago and allowed me to practice my photography,” noted Zimmett.
He added that using your own child as your muse for candid photos can be excellent practice since they aren’t known for taking direction very well and are fairly unpredictable – similar to professional events, so the photos turn out to be very engaging.
3. Focus on composition
“Think about these as you are shooting,” advised Zimmett, adding that forethought will reduce post-production editing time, cropping, and potentially reduce the resolution of the final image.
Lighting
“If a photo I take doesn’t turn out right, the biggest reason is usually the lighting," Zimmett cautioned. "Generally, you want the sun behind the (photo subject)," he added, noting that experimentation with natural light, reflected light, low-light, and direct-light can result in very intriguing photos.
The "golden hour," one hour before sunset, is the most coveted light for photographers.
Lighting
“If a photo I take doesn’t turn out right, the biggest reason is usually the lighting," Zimmett cautioned. "Generally, you want the sun behind the (photo subject)," he added, noting that experimentation with natural light, reflected light, low-light, and direct-light can result in very intriguing photos.
The "golden hour," one hour before sunset, is the most coveted light for photographers.
The picture was taken inside Axemann Brewery in very low-light, but Zimmett used a flash. A garbage can in the background was partially hidden with some post-production filters.
Environment
As a photographer sets up a shot, it is helpful to keep an eye on what else ends up in the frame of the photo. Things in the background that might distract or detract from the final photo's quality could include garbage cans, bathroom signs, or glowing exit signs - just to name a few examples.
Whatever cannot be kept out of the frame of the shot can potentially be handled in post-production with cropping or even photo editing.
Composition "Rules"
Although some of the best photos break all the rules, there are a few rules to be aware of when composing photos - ways to arrange photos to make them more aesthetically pleasing.
- Rule of Thirds (cut the photo into three sections)
During a canning run at Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, Zimmett captured this moment that also exemplifies the "rule of thirds." With owner Scott Bubb in the center, this is also an example of "centerpoint."
- Centerpoint (place the photo subject in the center of the photo)
Zimmett's daughter is certainly the "centerpoint" of this photo, which also exemplifies the "rule of thirds."
- Leading Lines (using lines in the environment to guide the viewer's eye to the photo subject)
- Vanishing Point (capturing lines in the environment at the point in which they disappear, like at the horizon or behind a photo subject)
The shelves in the Goot Essa cheese cave draw the viewers' eye across the photo using the "leading lines" technique. The photo of Zimmett's "muse" illustrates how lines in the environment - the horizontal line of the railing - can guide the viewer's eye directly to the photo subject; the bridge "vanishes" behind her, demonstrating the "vanishing point" principle.
- Framing (using environmental elements to frame photo subject)
CBICC's Nichole Yatta is "framed" by the wine bottles in this photo taken by Zimmett at the Gigi's Southern Table CBICC After Hours in October.
When photographing children, Zimmett advises photographers to get down on their level; for adults, aim for eye-level (or just above if shooting corporate headshots).
If demonstrating the audience's perspective/existence, then include some of them in the background even as the main photo subject remains in the center foreground of the photo.
- Perspective (space between objects within a photo; space between photographer and subject)
When photographing children, Zimmett advises photographers to get down on their level; for adults, aim for eye-level (or just above if shooting corporate headshots).
If demonstrating the audience's perspective/existence, then include some of them in the background even as the main photo subject remains in the center foreground of the photo.
To capture this moment, Zimmett and his camera were both on the sidewalk.
4. Observer or Participant?
Finally, Zimmett challenges photographers to decide with each shoot and shot what their role in the photo will be: participant or observer.
To break the wall down between the photographer and the photo subject, Zimmett has recently begun a new photo series with CATA in which he captures fist-bumps between himself and CATA employees.
Of course, mirrors and selfies can also accomplish this idea.
Even the simple direction of having the photo subject look directly at the camera can help bring the photographer - and ultimately the viewer - into the photo.
To break the wall down between the photographer and the photo subject, Zimmett has recently begun a new photo series with CATA in which he captures fist-bumps between himself and CATA employees.
Of course, mirrors and selfies can also accomplish this idea.
Even the simple direction of having the photo subject look directly at the camera can help bring the photographer - and ultimately the viewer - into the photo.
Inspired?
Grab your camera or smart phone and start clicking!
We can’t wait to see your photos!
Grab your camera or smart phone and start clicking!
We can’t wait to see your photos!
