Old But New

Older buildings make such good photographs, wouldn't you agree? They are so rich with character never mind the stories they tell. This one was taken on Rt. 44 just over the line in Glocester, RI of an older abandoned building.

When you take a picture, think about the surrounding objects in relationship to your main subject or what you're trying to capture. Putting them all together so they don't detract from your main subject is called composition. Think of it like putting all the pieces to a puzzle together so it makes sense. Part of a good picture is capturing it in a way that helps enhance what you're trying to bring out and show to your viewer.

In out abandoned building photo, take note of the objects in this picture. The tree is aligned with the corner of building allowing your eyes to focus first on the front of the building, then to the side, as if you're viewing it in two sections. By splitting the picture too, it draws attention to the green front doors. Also, the small post in front of the building is bright with the setting sun and is placed in a good position to draw your attention back into the main subject. When you're taking pictures, don't be too distracted by objects, just make them work for you. If you can't, then maybe you move a little to the left or right until it works out.

Here, I took the same picture and applied some digital enhancements. It now looks like a watercolor painting which adds more character to it. It was framed in black and I added large text at the bottom. It reminds me of those one-word motivational posters you can buy at the mall or online.

Practice with your own photos. Don't be afraid to try different things with them. In the end, you'll have your own masterpieces that you can share.