Decorative Photography

On decorating shows, they always say something like "just frame any photos that you see around the house". I really like this idea, it personalizes artwork & tells a story & keeps the space from looking like a dentist’s office. This can be anything from candid shots of your friends, to a close up shot of your favorite flower. I am by no means a photographer, but here is how I (occasionally) get good shots to use in my decorating.

1. The inclination is to take the picture straight on. However, the picture is much more interesting when taken from an angle. I once read an article about how to get great travel photos & it suggested not even looking through the viewfinder, this will make for much more relaxed photos.

2. Take several dozen photos, don’t worry about getting the perfect shot, if you just take enough pictures, one of them will work.

3. Find interesting subjects when you go for walks or take pictures of a favorite building. Think of everything as art, even if it’s just a lamp post.

4. Zoom is your friend. Zoom will help you pick up details & turn it into real art because the subject won’t be framed, it will just be the best part of the subject & there won’t be another picture like it.

5. Don’t underestimate lighting. It is probably the biggest factor. Try taking photos in all different kinds of light to find out what you prefer.

6. Photoshop can fix a lot of things. Pretty much everything looks better & more professional when it is put in a sepia or black & white tone.

7. Put the picture in a nice frame, this will hide a world of evil. Try a very large mat & crop the photo down very small for an interesting, modern look.

Tags: art, crafts, diy, decorating, photos, photography