Matthew Bamberg on Photography

MJ Outcault Hill

www.ur-history.com

A stream running through the middle of a forest.
Matthew Bamberg “Wet Winter” 2023 https://www.matthewbamberg.com

MJ Outcault Hill

www.ur-history.com

Matthew Bamberg is a writer, photographer and educator.  His first book, “Digital Art Photography for Dummies,” reported on the process of shooting and making framed photos for sale. It was by published by Wiley in 2005. In the following ten years, Bamberg authored 11 more how-to photography books for Cengage Learning.  His article on 10 Tips on Photography for Teachers , originally published on Medium, July 18, 2023, goes a little like this…

The article provides ten tips for capturing captivating summer photos that will engage students. It suggests moving beyond typical tourist shots and employing techniques to make photos more interesting:

  • 1. Zoom In for Details: Capture musicians or subjects up close to highlight facial expressions and details, like sweat on a musician’s face.
  • 2. Rule of Thirds: Position subjects to the left or right thirds of the frame and align the horizon with the top third for landscape shots.
  • 3. Simplicity: Follow the “less is more” philosophy by eliminating distracting elements from the foreground or background. Encourage students to design their unique buildings as a lesson in modernism.
  • 4. Exposure Control: Be mindful of extreme light conditions, avoiding overexposure to bright light or underexposure in dark areas.
  • 5. Capture Smoke and Mist: Photograph smoke and mist for their visual appeal and potential scientific explanations.
  • 6. Unconventional Angles: Don’t hesitate to sit, lie down, or position yourself creatively to capture unique angles.
  • 7. Personal Engagement: Photograph subjects that genuinely interest you to create meaningful shots, avoiding subjects that bore you.
  • 8. Seek the Unusual: Be on the lookout for odd, surprising, or unique scenes that stand out in everyday environments.
  • 9. Recreate Art: Visit places that have been depicted in art and capture your own perspective, like photographing Monet’s garden.
  • 10. Always Ready: Keep your camera in auto-mode or sports mode while walking to quickly capture moments that catch your eye.