How-to's

Missing Distractions

J. Ramon Palacios (jrp)

Keywords: photography, sins, tips, distractions, fixes, jrp, seven_deadly_sins

= 4.5 (8) \6

This is the fourth part of the series The Seven Deadly Sins in Photography

The Fourth Sin: Missing Distractions

Quite often, our excitement about a scene or subject makes us forget to look around in the viewfinder, all over the scene, so we can compose avoiding distractions that usually demerit a photograph. Using a tripod always helps to make it easier to check for distractions.

Portraits

In portraits, often checking the backgrounds can make a difference between a good or a bad photograph. For example, a distraction can become a deadly sin when you allow tree branches or a lamp to look like growing up from the head of the subject. By asking your model to move or positioning yourself at another angle solves most of the possible issues. Being aware of your background distractions can sometimes make a fun picture.

“Chief” Danny Levenson (TiggerGTO) by Brandon Curiel (CO1969SHARK)
Jackson Lake Lodge. Grand Teton National Park. ANPAT 7th
Nikon D70, Nikkor Zoom lens @ 29mm, f/4, 1/250

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6 comments

J. Ramon Palacios (jrp) on August 30, 2018

Bruce, most kind of you. Thank you.

Bruce Henderson (hendo55) on August 30, 2018

Yet another great article, it’s an issue I am often guilty of especially when rushing to capture a bird or something in the bush

J. Ramon Palacios (jrp) on August 30, 2018

Alan, Michael, Marsha. Thank you for your comments. I was born an expert at not noticing distractions. It took me quite a while to avoid them before shooting. But I now pay more attention... finally ;-)

Marsha Edmunds (meadowlark2) on August 29, 2018

Ramon, This is a great reminder not to be in such a rush to make the shot that you neglect some obvious things that can be corrected at the time of shooting. Nice examples too of sidestepping problems.

Michael Hurder (MKHurder) on August 29, 2018

Guilty! ;~) These tips help remind me to "measure twice, cut once", so to speak. I have dozens of family pics showing the gaudiest appendages growing from heads, behinds, arms, and hips. I'm getting better at checking first and then I'm also getting better at doctoring those distractions out when I can't avoid them. Thanks, JRP. Keep 'em coming, please.