Alright folks, let me tell you about my weekend project: “Capturing Memories.” Sounds fancy, right? Well, it was just me trying to get better at taking photos, not some high-art stuff, haha.
First things first, I watched a bunch of YouTube videos. You know, the usual “photography for beginners” type. The “Rule of Thirds” kept popping up, so I figured I’d give it a shot. Basically, imagine your screen split into nine equal parts, like a tic-tac-toe board. Apparently, putting the main thing you’re shooting on those lines or where they meet makes the pic look better. Who knew?
So, armed with that knowledge (and my phone, let’s be real), I headed out. My backyard became my personal photo studio. I started with flowers. Yeah, real original, I know. But hey, they’re colorful and don’t run away when you point a camera at them.
I tried to keep the “Rule of Thirds” in mind. It’s kinda tricky at first. You’re so used to just sticking the flower right in the middle. But I forced myself to put it off to the side, or in the bottom third of the frame. Took a bunch of shots, moving around, trying different angles.
Then I remembered another tip from those videos: “focal point.” Basically, what’s the most important thing in the photo? Make sure that’s sharp and clear. So, I tapped my phone screen to focus on the petals of the flower, blurring out the background a bit. That actually made a HUGE difference. It made the flower really pop.
Next up: my dog, Max. Now, THAT was a challenge. He’s a hyper little dude, never sits still. But I was determined. I grabbed his favorite toy (a squeaky hedgehog), and used it to get his attention. Clicked away like crazy, hoping to get one decent shot.
The “Rule of Thirds” was tougher with Max, since he kept moving. I just tried to keep him in the left or right third of the frame. Focusing was also tricky, because he wouldn’t stop wiggling his nose! But I managed to get a few shots where his eyes were sharp and clear. And those were the keepers.
After that, I just messed around with different things: trees, clouds, even my coffee mug. The key thing was just practicing, and trying to remember those basic tips. It’s amazing how much better your photos can look just by thinking about where you put the subject and making sure it’s in focus.
Now, am I a professional photographer? Heck no! But my photos are definitely a little bit better than before. And I had fun doing it. Plus, I now have some nice pics of Max to annoy my friends with. All in all, a successful weekend!
