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What’s the Magic?

“You need a kick in the butt to go out and improve your photography skills? We are the Hocus that tells you to Focus!”

Every week we publish free photography exercises, called ‘Kicks’ . All you need to do is go out and experiment. You can share the results with other participants on our special Flickr group.

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Kicks

Kick #25

July 12th, 2008

Some people are convinced that the most important spot on a photograph is the spot of the highest contrast, where black and white touch each-other.

Make a picture of some object. Determine the place of the highest contrast by squeezing your eyes until blurred. Place the spot conciously on a specific place in the composition (1/3 rd in horizontal and vertical direction would do good for a golden ratio).

Flickr tag for this kick:

kick #24

June 30th, 2008

Golden ratio. Although photographers often use the golden ratio (thirds) to please the eye, it is somewhat predictive. Often the beauty of symmetry and golden ratio don’t go hand in hand. Pick a person, building or object of authority to unpurposly break the golden ratio, and place it in the middle.

Flickr tag for this kick:

Kick #23

June 14th, 2008

Just as people like gold, they love the golden ratio. If you divide a photo in thirds, both in horizontal and vertical direction you have a nice approximation. Place a person on one of the axis. Experiment with the difference between placing mouth or eyes on the intersection.

Flickr tag for this kick:

Kick #22

May 30th, 2008

Making quality photos with right technique and equipment is one thing, but developing your own style is just as important. I, for example love to tilt my camera in very extreme angles to fit everything on it, or please my compositing eye, ignoring the horizon completely.
Review your photo’s and try to pick one that people would say is “typically yours”. Describe why.

Flickr tag for this kick:

Kick #21

May 16th, 2008

Esthetics are very important for the human observer. A road leading to the horizon is a nice way to lead the eye to a certain point in the composition, but is a bit cliche.
Make a more interesting focus point in your composition by leading the eye to a point by lines of roads, buildings, power cables, staircases, or you name what. Don’t be shy to tilt your horizon.

Flickr tag for this kick:

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