Focus your attention

Shooting tips from the pros
Q: How do I get my subject to relax infront of the camera?
A: Most people, when you ask them if you can take a picture of them, will either put on a fake camera smile, or they won’t know what to do. It’s up to you to direct them and to get them to relax at the same time. You can do this with a subtle kind of directing, and by periodically telling them to relax and look into the camera. When most people are relaxed, their heads are usually tipped to one side or the other. Pay attention to what is happening with the rest of the body, too—the hands and the arms especially, since these can be used in an interesting gestural way. In the end, it should look like the person was just standing or sitting there, calmly confronting the camera.—Dawoud Bey, portrait photographer

What makes a great wedding photo?
My favorite moment in any wedding is when the couple is coming down the aisle together for the first time. Capture emotion and look and listen for the laughter.—Steven E. Gross, Real Life Weddings

How can I get that perfect sports shot?
Where you are in proximity to the action is very important. If you’re at a Cubs game and watching from 15 rows up on the third baseline, but you have a long lens for your camera, it’s still not going to do you much good. If you’re at your son’s Little League game, however, and you can stand near the baselines, chances are your pictures will be much better.—John J. Kim, Chicago Sun-Times photographer

I love Chicago’s amazing architecture. How can I do it justice?
Wait for the light: Some of my images take days or weeks of going back and studying my subject in different light. I’ll watch a building for hours finding the subtle changes that the light will make on them.—William Zbaren, photographer, “American City: Detroit Architecture”

My food shots never look very appetizing. What can I do about that?
Find some pictures that you like and try to determine where the light is coming from. Side lighting, from a window, is usually good. Hold up a white napkin on the other side of the dish to reflect the light into the shadow side of the food. Turn the camera flash off and try to use the natural light. Focus on what’s most interesting, and let the rest go out of focus—a narrow depth of field can make everything magical. Or hire your favorite neighborhood food photographer to do it for you.—Chris Cassidy, food and drink photographer

What is the best and smartest way to start collecting photography?
Learn about the market: Look at photographs at galleries and art fairs, read photography publications, and try to follow auction results. Learn about print quality and the careers of artists you find interesting. Ultimately, it does come down to “buy what you love”—but also do your homework.—Liz Siegel, assistant curator of the photo department at the Art Institute

Courses

Want more help taking great pictures? Chicago Photography Center (3301 N Lincoln Ave, 773-549-1631) offers a free hour-and-a-half course, in which novices can learn the basics of SLR cameras and have their cameras checked by a repair specialist. The center also offers beginning and advanced photography, darkroom and digital classes, which cost $395 for a seven-week beginner’s course. Check www.chicagophoto.org for schedules. At >Dvorak and Eckhart Parks (1119 W Cullerton St, 312-746-5083; 1330 W Chicago Ave, 312-746-5490), the Chicago Park District offers adult classes that cost $45 for ten weeks plus a $35 lab fee, and students learn black-and-white development and printing as well as presentation. If your skill level’s a bit more advanced and you just want some darkroom time, check out Circle of Confusion (1741 N Western Ave, www.cocdarkroom.org), which charges $70 for a monthly membership.

Local shops

Sure, it’s easy to just take your camera to the local pharmacy/convenience store—and it’s cheap, too. But if you really want a high-quality reprint of your great-grandparents’ wedding photo or crave a larger variety of film types and developing techniques (and you’re willing to shell out a few extra bucks), try these professional suppliers, labs and printers:
Black Point Editions1932 S Halsted St, suite 504 (312-491-8051, www.blackpointeditions.com).
Calumet Photographic1111 N Cherry Ave (312-440-4920, www.calumetphoto.com).
Central Camera230 S Wabash Ave (312-427-5580, www.central-camera.com).
Helix Camera and Video310 S Racine Ave (312-421-6000, www.helixcamera.com).
Marquette Photo Supply3314 W 63rd St (773-776-8998, www.marquettephotosupply.com).
Precision Photo2219 W Grand Ave (312-377-1340, www.precisionimagechicago.com).
Print Lab1240 N Homan Ave, suite 3 (312-362-9000, www.printlab.com).