by Kerry Drager
For subjects with strong graphic design potential, it's hard to top staircases. With a little creative composition, you can turn flights of stairs into dynamic images of lines, curves, patterns, or repetition. Read the following article for ideas that will help you get started photographing spiral staircases.
1) Keep your viewpoint options open by experimenting with camera angles. When shooting classic spiral stairways, for example, try pointing your camera upward from below, then downward from above.
2) Be ready to work with light and shadow, too, especially when shooting next to a window or outdoors. You'll likely want low-angled sunlight and perhaps a staircase with interesting railings.
3) Use a short lens for a unique perspective, but remember the key to wide-angle success: Move in really close to the foreground in your scene! In those situations, you may also need to use a small aperture (large f/stop number) in order to attain a deep depth of field - the range of sharp focus from foreground to background in your final image.
4) Choose a zoom or telephoto lens to zero in on the zigzag patterns or the curving lines of classic spiral stairways or outside staircases.
5) Consider a tripod for handling the slow shutter speeds resulting from photographing in subdued indoor or late-day light - or from striving for the highest image quality (with a low ISO) or the greatest DOF (via a small lens opening).
6) For inspiration, don't miss BetterPhoto's Classic Spiral Stairways and Staircase Pictures gallery.
To learn more about photography, explore the photography classes offered here at BetterPhoto.