Pogue's Photography Tips

David Pogue talks about many different tips to enhance one's photographs. He talks about different techniques a rising photographer can use, such as, flash, focus, and blurriness. These are not the only techniques that Pogue discusses, but they do have a major effect on the outcome of the photographs. Sometimes a photographer takes a photograph and wishes to improve his/her photograph, but does not know how to. David Pogue's photography tips can help rising photographers, such as myself.

In my photoessay I am foucusing on one object in particular, chocolate cake. Since one of the photographs I plan on taking is of a person icing the cake, which is part of the preparation process, the faster shutter speed can help catch the movement of the person icing the cake, without blurriness. Pogue says that by holding down the shutter-button halfway before taking the photograph, a person can get rid of the half-second delay time. Therefore, the photograph can be taken at the exact right time.

Another technique that David Pogue talks about and I can benefit from in my photoessay is to use a lampshade as a tripod. Because my photoessay involves me to be "hands on", it would be easier if I had something to place the camera on (and then use a timer) to take photographs. Also, the "lampshade as a tripod" technique will help keep the camera still so that the photograph does not come out blurry, especially if my hand shakes even the slightest bit.

The last tip that I can use to enhance my photoessay photographs is to get the blurred-background effect. Pogue advices people to back up, away from the object being photographed, and then zoom in, towards the object. This will make the background, which is not the main foucs, blurry and keep the object, which is the main focus, extremely clear and pronounced. Pogue's technique can help my chocolate cake stand out even more in comparison to a photograph where nothing is blurred, everything is clear.

The Return of Coal

As the cost of fuel rises, the use of coal becomes more common. For instance, many people in Pennsylvania have begun to use coal instead of fuel. Besides saving money, coal gives off more heat than electrical heaters so it is more useful. One image that dipicts the idea that coal is becoming more popular is image 1 of 9. This photo is taken by Laura Pedrick for the New York Times. The photo was taken at an angle such that the words are read on a diagonal. In addition, the building that has the writing "Everybody's goal is mine more coal" is in the foreground and is more focused than other objects in the photo.

Another image that shows the new found importance of coal is image 2 of 9. In this picture a man, Kyle Buck, has stored coal at his home in a makeshift storage bin. He uses the coal to heat his house. Coal's importance is shown in this picture because of the amount of coal in this man's house. Obviously someone wouldn't buy a product in bulk if it was not going to be used. Even though Kyle Buck has a large amount of coal, he is worried that coal heating will become so popular that he will not be able to buy more coal if need.

Finally, image 7 of 9 shows an man and woman in a store shopping for coal heaters. This shows how popular coal heating has become because people are beginning to purchase coal heaters rather than electrical or gas and/or oil heaters. Oil and/or gas heaters are much more expensive to run in comparison to coal heaters. Also, when choosing between electrical or coal heaters, a person would be more likely to choose a coal heater because more heat is given off.

I was convinced that the use of coal could be brought back by looking at this photoessay. The pictures really show and give a good example of how important coal has become as oil prices rise. The dependency people have upon coal is one that should be taken seriously and people in all parts of the country should figure out ways to produce coal more easily and safely, in comparison to mining.