FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
or
Camera Obscura

I borrowed a digital camera from work the other day.
I made a special effort to learn everything I could about this new tool
before using it, and then I combined this knowledge with all the
"tips of the trade" I've picked up in my many years of working alongside
professional photojournalists. The results speak for themselves,
so I thought I'd pass on some of what I learned.

-- John Batteiger

(please scroll down the page)

Lesson One: Frame your subject carefully.

Whoa! I didn't mean for this photo to be
so, uh, in your face. Maybe there's a
good reason why photographers so rarely
take pictures of themselves.

Lesson Two: Remember to focus the lens.

Here's my boyfriend and partner,
Curt Rocha. He's usually a lot more
focused than this photo.

Lesson Three: Put some thought into the composition.

Here's a view of Castro Street in San
Francisco. I don't live on Castro, and you
can't see my house from here, but I do
live in the neighborhood. The famous
Castro Theater is off in the distance,
but you can't see it clearly.

Lesson Four: Resist the temptation to take "cute" photos.

What photo album would be complete
without a picture of the family pet?
A more tolerable album, that's what; but
never mind. Here's Zachary, relaxing in the
bathroom sink. If you thought he was
lounging in the toilet, you're disgusting.

Lesson Five: Go out and try it yourself.

Me, I'm sticking to writing.

* Another dumb page by John Batteiger *

Copyright? Hah!