Getting close on this morning’s walk
Don’t maintain your distance
Last weekend, I did a “how to take cool photos with your phone” course at a local museum.
It was, to be honest, not that great. It was a mixed group, some of us with a fairly good working knowledge already, and some of us asking, “What’s an app?”
I was reminded of two things.
First, any time you’re starting something, start with action, not words, if you can.
Introductory explanations are almost always a bit too long, too abstract, and too boring. Many times it’s there to reassure the advice-giver that they know what they’re doing, rather than helping the other party.
It’s advice I give to authors all the time. That first chapter you’ve drafted? Just cut it. The second chapter is almost always the better place to start. So, if you’re playing a game, doing some coaching, writing an article, running a meeting … figure out how to get to the interesting stuff more quickly, so your audience doesn’t opt out and never return.
This is a pretty good first three minutes, for example.
Second lesson? Most people’s photos are taken too far away from the subject.
Get closer, if you can.
I know you can do that “zoom in” thing with your fingers, but that’s going to make for a sub-optimal picture, something about fewer pixels in the shot.
Better to step forward, walk towards the subject, and have it fill your frame.
When you’re closer, you see more, you have more options, and smaller movements from you make more of a difference.
Naturally, I’m speaking metaphorically here, as well as giving you a solid photography tip.
(If you’ve got a zoom lens on your camera, which many of us do, learn how to use it for sure, advice above notwithstanding.)
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