Due to the high volume of emails and facebook inquiries I receive on how I do this or how I did that, I thought I would give all you photographers (fresh or wrinkly old) a chance to ask me any questions you have. ¬†I will compile a list of your questions and post my answers here on the blog so everyone can benefit from each other’s questions. ¬†So if you are dying to get the inside scoop on some things, don’t be shy… and ask away. ¬†Please limit your questions to two only per request. ¬†All questions should be asked in the comments section at the bottom of this particular post.
In the meantime, here is a question I received from photographer, April Munro on facebook:
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Hey!
How and when to use do use the tilt? You used it beautifully in the portraits you took of Amanda the singer. Is there a general rule you use when taking pictures and tilting the camera to make her more diagonal on the frame?
I hope this makes sense to you. haha.
I love your blog and thanks for all the tips you give us newby photogs.
Apryl
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Hey Apryl!
To tilt or not tilt is the question!!  : )
I actually don’t have that many rules when it comes to tilting. ¬†I typically tilt when I am shooting head shots because it flatters your subjects when you give the frame a slight angle. ¬†Tilting creates a more appealing visual in my opinion and tends to grab the audiences attention more. ¬†However, you can over tilt which can lead the viewer to turning their head attempting to straighten out the photo! ¬†Not good! When this happens, you then know you over did the tilt!¬†
When I am shooting I ALWAYS pay attention to the background before I assess on whether it would enhance the image to tilt or not. ¬†For instance, beach shots you need to tilt less because you don’t want too many photos where it looks like the ocean is sinking into the right corner of your camera! ¬†Beach shots I tend to only offer the client some tilting whereas most of my frames are straight. ¬†If the water front is not included in your frame, then you can tilt all you want. ¬†Close ups are perfect opportunities to tilt since your subject fills up the frame with limited background viewing. ¬†
Pay attention to lines in the background.  The more lines you see the more caution you will want to use!
You will be surprised that you don’t need to tilt too much to get a great effect. ¬†Give yourself a variety of slight tilting, more tilting, over tilting and no tilting at all so you can determine on your computer what looks best. ¬†
I hope that helps Apryl!  
I still offer one-on-one training in photoshop or in the field if you desire to kick up your photography skills a notch or two!  You can contact me at darice at darice michelle dot com to talk about your goals!  
Take care everyone… keep shooting!
