Meetings
Elements of the WOW Factor in Photography
About The Photographer/Artist
Since 1983 Truman has perfected the skills to artfully blend his teaching experiences, biology background and his love of nature to create a collection of more than “200,000 plus” beautiful images. Truman enjoys most all photographic endeavors which include attending & presenting workshops, leading field trips, competing & judging in local and international competitions, and leading commercial photo tours. In addition, he photographs individuals, groups, special events, weddings, banquets, architecture and sporting events.
From the beginning of his photographic exploits, Truman has always been fascinated with wide angle lenses and their results. His first wide angle lens was an inexpensive 20mm “Spiratone” which brought him much early success in his local camera club and later on in the P.S.A. competitions. Today his two favorite lenses are the Sony 12-24 mm and his newest, the Sony 100-400 mm which he uses with a full frame Sony a7r III
At his retirement in 2001, after 34 years as a Biology Teacher, he started his own photographic company called “A Beautiful Image”. He is past president of the Sacramento Audubon Society, Sierra Camera Club and the Gold Rush Chapter of the Photographic Society of America. He also has worked as a Park Naturalist for the State of California.
Truman is a world traveler. Destinations include Canada, Africa, China, Europe, Japan, Cuba and South America. He has traveled throughout the United States including Alaska and Hawaii. His favorite location for photography still remains the western United States.
Contact Truman at (916) 966-2917 or email him at truman@otruman.com, Web site www.otruman.com
Send mail to: “A Beautiful Image”, 7970 Archer Ave; Fair Oaks, CA 95628. For photo tours go to http://www.photo6s.com
Warehouse web site: http://www.otruman.net
“There are no stinking rules!” by Tony Hallas
1. Horzontal “Landscape” Vs Vertical “portrait”
2. Rule of Thirds: “Use your Power Points!”
3. No Bull’s Eye: “Don’t place subject in the center.” (Rules are meant to be broken?)
4. Simplicity wins: “No clutter, please keep it simple!”
5. Fill your frame: “Use all of your sensor, empty space loses!”
6. Horizons: “No tilting & no in the middle.” (Rules are meant to be broken?)
7. No clipping of subject: “Hands, trees, towers, flowers etc…”
8. Use odd numbers: “More pleasing, gives an anchor. 3’s are the champions”
9. Use counter points: “The one different subject stands out.”
10. Use curves and lines: “Soothing, gives depth and direction”
11. No distracting backgrounds! “Eliminate subject competition, let your subject shine!”
12. Use patterns & Symmetry “Gives rhythms, balance & comfort.”
13. Experimentation/no rules: Go for it, lots of luck!
“Composition rules are irrelevant & immaterial, Ansel Adams”
1. Title: “Elements of the Wow Factor.”
2. Synopsis: Truman will give you over 60 different ways to make stronger images. You will see examples and be given a list of ideas and ways to make different and stronger images. Only a few of these techniques will require any special equipment or extra expenses.
Truman Holtzclaw
(916) 966-2917; E-mail: truman@otruman.com
(Thoughts)
I enjoy all types of photography including: Color, Black & White, Infra-red, Cell Phones and others. I also enjoy most all types of subject matter including: Nature, Landscapes, Photojournalism, Abstracts, 3-D, Portraits, Documentation, Silhouettes, Textures and Travel.
“Light” is the single most important factor in making a strong image. Whether in the studio or outdoors light makes or breaks an image. Light rules in photography!
“Composition” is so important in making a “WOW” image. The same subject matter placed differently in images can often produce very different feelings or moods. Foreground plays an important role in composition.
“Simplicity” plays a major role in making the “WOW!” image. Images that jump out at you, are most often the ones that are quick and easy to read. Check out most magazine covers!
“Originality” gives an image a big advantage over “the same ole, same ole”. New and refreshing will normally trump the usual.
“Manipulations” can be fun, beautiful and creative. Whether in the camera, dark room, computer or other it gives the maker the freedom to new expressions.
“Serendipity” is much like the big Lotto; once in a rare while, you win!!! The time, place, light, subject matter, lens & shooter’s position will give you that special big “WOW!” image. Planning is so often a most important key to improving your chances of the serendipity, but no guarantee.
“May the Light Writing Gods be with you”
1. Shoot what you enjoy.
2.Verticals = More 3D
3. Horizontals = More Normal
4. Panoramas = Wide View
5. Mirror Images- “The Equalizer”
6. Keep It Simple
7. Backgrounds-Yes or No?
8. Environment-Yes or No?
9. Lines-Use Them!
10. Shoot Across The Sun= Texture & Form
11. Side Lighting= Drama & Impact
12.Back Lighting= Spectacular?
13.Light Flares or Bursts= Special!
14. Dramatic Lighting= All the above mix together
15. Sunsets & Sunrises
16. Silhouettes= Mystery
17. Shadows= Fun, Drama, Romantic
18. Mottled/Dappled Light= Special
19. Foreground= Powerful!
20. Close Foreground= 3-D Quality
21. Close-ups= Special
22. Get Down Low, Be Different
23. Frame Your Image Naturally
24. Atmospheric Conditions, Storms good!
25. Clouds= Puffy or Threatening
26. Fog, Haze & Smoke = Drama, Good/Bad?
27. Colors= YEA!
28. Counterpoints= Special
29. Moons= Full, 1/4, New; All good
30. Reflections
31. Tell A Story
32. Macro= A Whole New World!
32. Wide Angle= Very Special!
33. Telephoto=Far=Close
34. Action= Blur, Implied, Panning, water, dust, steam & smoke.
35. Nature= Must Have Patience!
36. Interiors= Big & Small
37. Adult People
38. Babies & Young People
39. Faces
40. Eyes= A must!
41. Appendages= Legs-Arms-Hands
42. Footprints
43. Textures=Interest & 3-D
44. Patterns= Art & Design
45. Use Mirrors= Different
46. Fires= Interest & Fear?
47. Long Exposures= Unseen appears
48. Multiple Exposures On One Image!
49. Night Sky= Easy now! (Tripod)
50. Night Shots= Ditto
51. Night Light Writing= Flashlight-Lamp-Fire
52. Humor= Ha,ha!
53. Shoot Up
54. Shoot Down
55. Shoot Through
56. Shoot With Camera Moving
57. Shoot Your Self While Holding Camera
58. Black & White= Can Be Powerful!
59. Sepia= “Good Old Days”
60. Infrared= Can be Dramatic & Beautiful!
61. Filters= a. Variable Neutral Density
b. Polarizers C. U.V.Filters=Protection
62. Software?” A.C.-D.C.”; “Coldstone”; “Elements”; “Photoshop”;
63. Plug-ins? “Topaz”; “Lucis”; “Nik”; “Photomatrix”; “Fractilus”
64. Subject matter
65. Weather
66. Depth of Field
67. Light, Light & Light
68. High Key
69. Low Key
