Tips for taking better photographs
1. Know your camera.
Dig our your owners manual and get to know all the functions of your camera. A camera is a tool, and like many of today’s electronic tools, we don’t make use of all the things it can do:
- How does your camera focus?
- Do you have a zoom lens? Interchangeable lenses?
- Do you have a flash? How does it work? What is its range?
- Do you have a timer?
- If camera is digital, what film speed is default? Can you change film speed?
2. Good photography is all about light.
- Having the right amount of light can make or break a photograph.
- Interesting lighting makes a photograph more striking.
- Choose the right film speed for the situation. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the film.
- When light levels are low, use a tripod, or otherwise steady the camera.
- When appropriate use flash or reflector to shed more light on subject.
- Go find the light! Get near a window. Turn on some lamps. Go outside . . .
3. About flash.
- Adds light when there isn’t enough ambient light available
- Flash freezes the subject—stops action.
- Flash can add harsh shadows behind your subject. Try bouncing flash, or move subject away from the wall.
- Flash can give harsh, washed out look. Make sure you aren’t too close to your subject when you use flash.
- Works well as “fill light” when subject is backlit.
4. Take a lot of photos.
- You only get good at this with practice.
- Professionals shoot a ton of film/digital to get just the right shot.
- Cull your photographs.
- Film is cheap. Filling a flash card costs you nothing.
5. Keep your subject simple.
- When you look at the finished photo, the subject should be apparent. If it isn’t, your photo is likely too busy.
- Three is a nice number. Triangular arrangements typically make for good composition.
6. Fill the frame. Get closer to your subject.
- Brings the audience into your image.
- Don’t be afraid of cropped edges. Cropped edges can “anchor” your image to the page.
- Consider a very tight close-up of your subject. You can get some interesting abstractions this way.
- If you have a zoom lens, use it. It’s a good way to get up close without getting in your subject’s face. (Depending on your camera, use of a zoom lens may require a tripod.)
7. Use the Rule of Thirds.
- Visually divide your frame into three horizontal rows, and three vertical columns. Try to place your subject where the rules intersect.
- Placing your subject off-center can give a photo a good sense of “direction” if done well.
- Sense of direction, or the ability to draw the eye around an image, is a hallmark of good composition.
8. Look for an interesting angle.
- Remember, there is more than one way to hold a camera.
- Get up high, or down low.
- Get at eye level with your subject, especially with pets and children.
9. Learn to really look at your subject. Be a fanatic about detail.
- Is your subject’s collar messed up? Is their jewelry askew? Is there a tuft of hair out of place? Is your subject’s nose shiny? Fix this stuff before you shoot!
- Look at the background. Is it unsightly? Move it, or you, if necessary.
- Look at the relationship between the subject and the background. Are there trees or telephone poles growing out of your subject’s head? Move if necessary.
10. When photographing people…
- Look for flattering light. Cloudy days are often good for photographing people outdoors. Clouds act as a giant diffuser for sunlight, which can often be harsh.
- Full face shots are engaging.
- Try taking “environmental portraits” instead of “head shots.”
- Play director. Move people where you want them to be. Don’t settle for “police lineup” group shots. Arrange folks at different heights. Use chairs, tables.
- Move away from walls to avoid harsh shadows
- Action shots are often more interesting than static shots. Pick a good angle and be patient—wait for the shot.
- Take a lot of photos