Elliot Erwitt is 88 years young with a professional photography career spanning over 65 years.
His tips have nothing to do with aperture, shutter speed or what kind of lens you should be using. While all of those things are important, great images consist of much more than correct exposure. These are one of the best photography tips I’ve come across.
Photography is an Art of Observation
It’s about finding something interesting in an ordinary place. I’ve found it has little to do with the things you see and everything to do with the way you see them.
Start Caring
You just need to care about what’s around you and have a concern with humanity and the human comedy. Then, you can find pictures anywhere. It’s simply a matter of noticing things and organising them.
Don’t Overthink It, Just Do It
The more you think about a shot, the easier it is to lose it. If you’re thinking long, you’re thinking wrong. Sometimes you just have to take the shot. When I’m in the moment, I’m not thinking at all. I’m locked in non-thought.
Carry a Camera with You at All Times
Make a point of having a camera with you wherever you go and just shoot at what interests you. You’ve got to be spontaneous and seize the moment when it presents itself.
Capture the Emotion
The best pictures are often ones that are quite evocative. They capture the emotion of a particular moment, and engage and elicit an emotional response from the person looking at them so that they build their own interpretation of the situation.
Change Direction
If you’re out and about amongst lots of people, follow the crowd for a while, then turn around 180 degrees in the exact opposite direction to change things up and introduce new perspectives. It’s always worked for me!
Be Curious
One of the main ingredients for photography is curiosity. If you’re curious enough and you get up in the morning and go out and take pictures, you’re going to get more interesting results than if you stay at home.
To see more of Elliot’s work and to get 5 more tips visit the original article over at My Modern Met
Source: My Modern Met
