THE phenomenon of civic journalism has been the subject of much debate in recent times. The rise of the smartphone (and the tablet) has significantly altered our daily discourse; more and more people are relishing the opportunity the new digital technology provides to get their voices heard.
Less discussed is the freedom afforded to amateur photographers. Nearly all of us now carry around with us on a daily basis the means to take high-quality pictures which would have been the reserve of the dedicated enthusiasts only 20 or so years ago. At the same time, top-notch digital cameras are now within the reach of many. And delivering these pictures to a mass platform (like The Herald) is a simple matter these days.
Our Picture of the Day slot provides ample evidence of this. Just scroll back to the previous spread and have a look. There you’ll see a captivating view of Portobello in the early morning, sent to us by reader John Macpherson. Yesterday’s offerings included a study of North Berwick beach by Jackie Gordon; on Thursday we presented a view of Crail Harbour by George Crawford. This week’s contributions have also featured the aurora borealis over Arran; an On Golden Pond-style portrayal of a lone swan at sunset from John Dyer, and a shot of the Paddle Steamer Waverley dwarfed by a cruise ship on the Clyde, taken by Stephen Henry.
The range and diversity of the pictures we publish illustrate one great axiom: living where we do, we all of us have great photo opportunities to hand, whether it be beautiful scenery (as we have seen, that can include the local park), fascinating architecture and streetscapes, or captivating wildlife, from garden birds to majestic stags And these days, we don’t have the costly and time-consuming process of getting film developed to hold us back.
Sometimes, we can get striking, print-quality images just by taking out our mobiles, pointing and shooting, but as in most things, a little practice and some expert advice can improve our output immensely. Here’s photographer Mhic Chambers with three easy-to-follow tips:
* Most people stand too far away from the subject they are photographing. Don’t be afraid to move in closer, whatever the subject.
* Use the full frame in the viewfinder to fill your image with the information you want to get across. The space is limited, so don’t waste it.
* Think about light. Light is what creates the picture, so use it. For example, turn your subject towards the sun, or move yourself so the sun is behind you. Or use the light source to silhouette the subject if that is what you are trying to do.
We are always proud to display our readers’ work. If you want to have a go, the email address is picoftheday@theherald.co.uk. We’re ready to smile.
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