Photo Tips

Russ Burden:
Simply Squat

There are many factors that contribute to the success of an image. As a regular reader of my Tip of the Week, you know about my passion to capture subjects in great light. If you've been with me on any of my photo tours, you've heard me say, ìItís all about the lightî OR I'd rather

photograph a mundane subject in great light than a great subject in mundane light. But light isn't the only factor that can make or break an image. Numerous times I've mentioned the importance of composition, subject choice, mergers, distractions, etc. Another important aspect is how

the background impacts an image. Busy backgrounds, ones that are too dark or too light,

those that confuse the subject, ones that have poor color, etc., negatively effect the success of a photograph. Depending on the size of the subject, the light, and how far away the subject resides from a background all determine whether it can be controlled. Darkening a bright one,

throwing it out of focus with the creative use of a long lens and narrow depth of field, and placing something behind the subject that complements it, are ways to make the background harmonize with the subject. Another great way to control it, and the focus of this Tip, is to simply lower

your angle to try to get rid of any distractions. In other words, ìSimply Squat.î This is something not many The other way it helps is when you shoot from a low angle, whatever is directly behind the subject when shooting down onto it is no longer in the image. More often than

not, background elements are farther away from the subject when shot from a low angle which results in a background that is out of focus, hence less distracting.