This week it has been photography 101 at our Dr. Paul Hargrave Memorial Centre.

Learners, the first cohort of our Youth Media Training, got hands on experience handling powerful and expensive image production equipment. And also got to appreciate the power of their smart mobile phones.

Many of us, it turns out, assumed that photography is simply point the camera and take the shot. Not really, we have learnt.

Listening into the mentorship session with our learners, conducted by our Program Coordinator, Mr. Luswata Philip and his team, I have a new admiration for good photographers.

They who have mastered and use the grid, the three grounds and leading lines.

Rule of Thirds

The grid is “a visual overlay on your camera’s screen that divides the frame into equal sections, helping you improve composition by aligning subjects with the lines and intersections.”

Three Grounds

Taking a photograph in such a manner that the foreground, middle ground and the background are well utilized.

“These layers are used to create depth and visual interest in a photograph, moving the viewer’s eye from the element closest to the camera, through the main subject, and to the furthest part of the scene.”

This may seem an obvious thing to do, but unless it is done intentionally, then it is unlikely the photo taken will be a good one, we have learnt from our expert trainers.

CLICK HERE to see an example of a photo demonstrating the three grounds.

Leading Lines

Leading lines is “a photography composition technique that uses natural or man-made lines within an image to guide the viewer’s eye to the main subject.”

CLICK HERE to see an example of a photo demonstrating use of leading lines technique.

Our trainers have assured us that we too can master these techniques via practice. Practice makes perfect and it is through practice that we too may become great photographers.

And so, during the coming week, our learners will continue to do hands on practice. Very exciting indeed!

We are grateful to kin of the late Dr. Paul Hargrave for the legacy grant via Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief, without which we would not be able to positively impact the lives of youth from disadvantaged backgrounds of greater northern Uganda. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Profiled photo @ Ecweru Moses, from Teso Sub-Region, Media Change Agent in training.