Sometimes it's helpful to remove items from the scene before pressing the shutter. Certain items (e.g., signs, ropes, trash) are distracting elements within the frame. In certain situations, the items can easily be removed using Photoshop. Other times, it's very difficult to remove the distractions digitally as the items are situated in front of details within the frame that cannot easily be recreated.

During my last photography trip, I wasn't just moving distracting items from the scene. I was also moving things that prevented me from setting up my camera for the best vantage point!

When capturing interior dome photographs, it's critical to position the lens directly under the center of the dome for a symmetrical image. If the lens isn't positioned in the center of the floor, the ceiling surrounding the dome will not appear as a circle. Instead, the circle will stretch more into the shape of an oval. I like to capture the ceilings using a variety of perspectives. However, I prefer to capture at least one picture with the dome in the shape of a circle.

Positioning the camera in the center of the floor isn't always an option. In many state capitols, a monument or state seal surrounded by ropes is positioned in the center of the rotunda floor. However, in Memorial Hall of the Massachusetts State House, there were a number of flags on stands in the center on the floor. So, one by one I moved the flags out of the way. Since I was using a wide angle lens, I was surprised that even after moving the flags a considerable distance they were still in the frame! I kept moving the flags further from the center until I had some clear shots:

Massachusetts State HouseInner dome from the rotunda floor of Memorial Hall in the Massachusetts State House at 24 Beacon Street in Boston, Massachusetts on July 27, 2015 Massachusetts State HouseInner dome from the rotunda floor of Memorial Hall in the Massachusetts State House at 24 Beacon Street in Boston, Massachusetts on July 27, 2015 I also captured some photos from the side (which resulted in a more oblong inner dome appearance). I like this perspective as well:

Massachusetts State HouseInner dome from the rotunda floor of Memorial Hall in the Massachusetts State House at 24 Beacon Street in Boston, Massachusetts on July 27, 2015