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How to Make Pictures That Represent America

For years photojournalists have been making pictures that represent America and have been published in magazines and displayed in art exhibitions. The French photojournalist Henri Cartier-Bresson was credited with bridging the gap between journalism and art. Taking pictures that represent America can start right in your home, street, neighbourhood and city. While these may seem like everyday trivial images to you, they are slices of what America is built on.

Instructions

- 1
  Get your camera ready and carry it with you where ever you go. Pictures happen all the time, being ready to take them is the first step in capturing good candid photos.
- 2
  Go to your library and look at examples of past photos to get an idea on this type of work. Completing this type of research prior to attending an event will give you an indication of the type of images you should be looking for. You may choose to photograph traditional symbols such as eagles, the American flag in different ways, or you may choose for cultural imagery like Route 66 or something similar. What you choose to photograph is your way of viewing America.
- 3
  Attend community or cultural events taking place in your city. When you are there, walk the event first looking to see what is taking place then start looking for good positions to shoot from. You want to be close enough to the action to be able to get a good picture but not too close to be intrusive.
- 4
  Hold the camera to your eye and keep it there with your finger on the shutter release at all times. You want to be ready to take the picture the moment it happens.
- 5
  Reposition yourself and take additional pictures of the same event until you feel you have captured this part of America in pictures.

Photography