TedPage: Photographing the National Geographic Way

I just finished taking a class at UCLA Extension with Erika Fabian called Photographing the National Geographic Way. Ms. Fabian has done many assignments for the Geographic and has also taught this class for many years. I enjoyed it immensely, and would recommend it to anyone near UCLA (and who likes photography). I've attached my notes after this (I typed them up so I would lose them), while I don't think that they will replace taking the class you might learn something.

• National Geographic photography is taking pictures of life around a place, people living there, how they live, etc.
• If you get somewhere with bad light go home. You'll only end up with a "record shot".
• Talk in stories using your pictures, story telling photography
• The photographer can not be indifferent to the subject. You have to "make yourself care".
• Most good pictures have some form of setup. Either moving people, stopping traffic, or talking to the subjects. Most pictures are "arranged".
• When you smile at people, they tend to smile back.
• Tip if asked, but get the photo first. Don't offer to tip and have your guide tip if possible (more likely to know local rates and tip reasonably).
• Include a person in your picture. Is the case of many pictures in National Geographic. Show how the object is used.
• Around the world people know how you are feeling and your attitude. Be curious and there to learn about them, truly interested.
• When taking pictures of craftsmen, the best pictures are of them working. Or, when they are just looking up from their work (more of face).
• When taking pictures of statues looking at light and their expression. Try to say something with the statue, why is that statue there?
• Hand customs a list of all the equipment to help through process. Ask for hand inspection if possible (better for film to not go through lots of X-rays). Hand inspections are difficult to get in Paris.
• Keep a record on all the information and answers to questions you ask while you are there. You won't remember the spelling of that place later. Really.
• You'll want a few basic pictures to tell an event: An overall or establishing shot, an medium shot, a zoom in some specific of the event, something with humor or a 'kicker' to make it fun.
• When shooting something that is happening quickly, remember to push the button BEFORE what you want the picture to be. There is all kinds of delay, anticipate.
• If you can't get good light, silhouette.
• If the sky is not interesting, leave it out.
• With reflections, lie on your stomach to get better images.
• Don't put your main subject exactly in the center of the object. Perfect balance in a picture gives it a static appearance. You can balance across the picture with empty space.
• Just go to lunch between 11am to 2pm. The light is too harsh and will make things look dead.
• With very difficult light, expose to 18% grey, and go with it.
• When using a flash shutter speed doesn't matter, f-stop controls the picture more.
• Be careful about getting too technical, you can lose sight of getting pictures.
• When taking pictures of people, talk to them. This puts them at ease and makes them look less frozen.
• The direction of light effects the appearance of the texture on the object. Side light give the most dimension.
• Backlight through organic material can give a glow effect.
• Specular highlights in certain parts of the picture can cause it be overexposed.
• "Walk around flash". A picture can be taken by opening the shutter, and then using the flash in manual mode throughout the room. This creates the effect of the lighted room.
• If a building faces north (bad to light facade) take pictures in the morning or evening to get some light.
• Carry a compass to determine lighting.
• With all good photographers, nothing is authentic.
• You'll never get a good photography if you're ever worried about what people are thinking about you while your photographing. (What is he doing?)
• Diagonals and off-balance pictures create a sense of action.
• If the components in a picture that catch the eye are in the shape of a triangle (or other closed shape) it keeps the eye in the picture.
• Giving everything equal emphasis means you give nothing emphasis. Decide what you want to show.
• Strong vertical lines in a picture show majesty or power.
• When shooting dancers, their feet are part of the show.
• "intellectual idea". When you look at something in your picture and think too much about what it should symbolize, and now how the picture really makes the viewer feel. Not really part of field photography.
• Think to yourself: "What am I trying to say? How can I say it visually?" Never count on a caption.
• Research your subjects, it will provide more insight into the pictures you're taking.
• In a city, make sure to get all the "big buildings", and also try to work them into your other shots to anchor the picture at that location.