Hey Mark and Eric, it was GREAT seeing you guys yesterday! It was a fun day!!!
Last night I spent some time looking at older photos taken with a point and shoot camera, and came to the conclusion that these cameras have tremendous potential to not only capture beautiful memories, they also have the capability to allow the operator to express creativity. For example, using the zoom and stepping further back from the subject allows for a much different look when compared to filling the viewfinder with the exact foreground scene, using a wider angle perspective. At the very least, using this zoom option will allow you to keep your shadow off the subject at hand. Trying not to cast your shadow on the fish is important… Point and shoot camera really excel at capturing close up macro images, such as fish faces, insects, flowers, etc, because the smaller image provides greater depth of field. In effect, more of the subject will be in focus, at faster shutter speeds, and the key to separating the subject from the background, to make the image pop, would mean trying to have as much distance to background objects as possible. Over the years I’ve received a few nice emails from people I met on stream, who I photographed with their point and shoot, expressing appreciation. Little things make a big difference, especially with respect to composition, such as trying to have diagonal lines instead of straight horizontal and vertical lines. I always look for ways to compose my images with diagonal lines, if possible. Also, while on stream, I try to observe the surroundings to preconceive the best background to compliment things I want to photograph. I keep an eye on where there are colored reflections upon the water; how that changes during the day, as well as stream bank vegetation and trees.
Below is the first cover shot I took, nothing is diagonal, but I did try to balance and compliment the subject with the background. I took this photo before investing in an SLR, and I’ve learned a lot since…
The book cover below has two photos I took, (on the left side,) using a small point and shoot film camera, and there are 11 more of my photos inside the book. A fly shop owner took credit for the photos, although I was later compensated... I gave the fly shop owner some small prints to hang on his wall, at his request...