The KISS Principle = Keep it simple stupid. I’m not going to call myself stupid but keeping it simple is a major philosophy of my picture taking. The image of Yellowstone Lake can be broken down into just 5 different elements. I have other images with just two elements that are just as strong or stronger. I used to carry around a black piece of cardboard with a rectangle cut out of the middle to look through like I was looking through the viewfinder of a camera. That helped me focus on what was in front of me, also forcing me to look through the rectangle and not off to the side. You have to be able to pare down all those unnecessary objects to get to the single elements that make up a strong image. On my left when I took this shot was the shoreline. On my right were more rocks jutting out of the water. Neither one of these elements would have made the composition stronger and would have confused the eye of the viewer. The less to look at the more focused the viewer will be, and you as a photographer will have a much more successful image. Then you have abstract photographers who have very complex images. They are very successful, and have a large group of followers, but for me I’ll stick with the KISS Principle.
Technical Info: Canon 30d, Bogen 3021 Tripod, Canon 17-40mm L lens, Singh Ray 2 stop Hard Gnd
Copyright © 2009 Dean Sauskojus
