Better Phone Pictures

Better Phone Pictures

Hi, a friend asked me, “how to take a good picture? Where should the main subject be placed in the image?” These are good questions. Using the rule of thirds will be your go to resource. The rule of thirds is a tool to create visual pleasing images.

As I have said before, taking better phone pictures begin with taking the shot. Once you have taken the shot, take it again. When you take it again, play with the composition. Change where the main subject is placed.

rule of thirds grid

To enable the rule of thirds grid on your phone, open settings. Scroll down and select camera. Open camera and scroll down to composition and turn on the grid.
better phone pictures grid

When taking landscape photography an example would be placing the horizon not in the middle but instead align on the bottom horizontal line or the top. Giving either the sky or land more space in the composition.

The next two images have special meaning to me. The first, is when I joined my daughter and her family to Florida. Briella was sitting on the beach as the waves were coming in. I just really like this image.

better phone pictures at beach

My next example is while me, my mom and daughter went back to Illinois to my Great Aunt’s funeral.

going to heaven

A powerful image. My Great Aunt driving off into heaven. With the leading lines in the road and on the side rail, they draw your eyes into the field of clouds. Very special image for me.

A single object like a person or pet, place one of their eyes on one of the intersecting lines.

One of our usual weekend routine is eating breakfast out and getting groceries. This weekend we went to the Waffle House. While waiting for our breakfast I took the opportunity of taking a picture of the salt and pepper shakers!

salt pepper
Salt & Pepper Shakers Centered

Looks good. But then I applied the rule of thirds.

salt pepper left
Rule of Thirds
There is no one right way or wrong. It is what you like and what is visual appealing.

Waffle House better phone pictures
Waffle House

The two waffle signs look nice. For the collage I prefer the left image with the sign centered. But if I was just taking the picture of sign by itself with no other images to go with it, I like this shot.

better phone pictures

This is why I recommend taking the shot and take it again. It’s much easier to take the image the way you want to start, but there is post editing. In the post editing the image can be cropped, applying the rule of thirds. The post editing can be another post!

my selfie
Practicing my selfie!

Think of the rule of thirds while taking your picture. Consequently, this will become second nature, automatic. You won’t even be thinking of the rule, you’ll just do it.

Most importantly, have fun taking pictures, and taking them again!

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo.

Homemade Weed Killer

homemade weed killer

Homemade Weed Killer

Hi, they say April showers bring May flowers. Right now I need weed control! Kevin uses Roundup. But with all of his chores, he doesn’t spray as much as I would like. It was Easter weekend, my dad was telling us of the homemade weed killer he tried and said worked. So this is what I am going to try in a selected area of our driveway. Our driveway is gravel and all those pesky weeds are growing up between the rocks.

homemade weed killerThe Recipe:
White Vinegar 1 gallon
Table Salt 2 Cups
Dishwashing Liquid A good squirt.
Hot Water I used half a gallon to dissolve the salt before mixing with vinegar.
Sprayer I bought a 1 1/2 gallon sprayer.

It is not recommended spraying this homemade weed killer on concrete (sidewalk or driveway) or where you do want plants to grow (in your garden).

As you see, I will need to give it one more application.

Have you tried this homemade weed killer recipe? How did it work for you?

Take Care. Best wishes, Debra
Gma’s photo

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