Pro Tips for Taking Better Pictures © Wendy Folse Apr 15, 2001
Get in Close The single biggest mistake that most people make is not getting close enough to their subject. Even the simplest disposable camera is able to focus at about 3 feet. Years ago, newspaper cameramen were fond of calling their lenses "shoe leather zooms". Most used TLRs and if they wanted to "zoom‐in" on the subject, they simply walked closer to the subject. So even with a simple point and shoot camera, you can make great improvements in your photography by getting in close.
Fill the Frame This hint goes back to the previous one, in that, doing one will accomplish the other. Many times, we see 4x6 prints with the subject dead center and the rest of the print is of nothing. Think of it this way; if you want a picture of someone then make the picture of someone. The entire 4x6 inches should be of the subject. What are you trying to show in the picture? If it is your pet with his toy, sitting in his basket, then the whole print should be of your pet sitting in his basket with his toy, not 3/4 of the print of the living room and 1/4 of your pet in the center of the frame.
Rule of Thirds All great compositions start with this rule. When you look through the viewfinder, think of it as being divided into a grid of 3 rows and 3 columns. Try to place your subject in a way as to cover as many of the blocks as possible. Look at the graphics below. Which one looks like the snapshots that you have been taking? Now which one looks like a professional photograph? The only difference here is in the placement and size of the subject. Remember; Get in Close, Fill the Frame, and the Rule of Thirds. In no time your images will be better and stronger.
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Better. This photo is about the child not the activity. Use the Flash Even on a bright sunny day you can still use your flash in order to fill in any harsh shadows. Professional photographers refer to this as fill flash. This is especially import when the subject is wearing a hat with a brim as it creates dark shadows across the face. Using a fill flash will light up the shadow areas and give you a much better picture.
Watch the Flash This tip is very important when shooting indoors with a flash. On‐camera flashes pointed directly at the subject may cause glare and hot spots that can ruin your picture. Another area to watch out for is the background where the flash can cause overly bright spots such as on a dark wall. If possible, point the flash up towards the ceiling where the burst of light will bounce off the ceiling and fall back down on the subject. This technique is commonly referred to as bounced light.
Check the Background Before pressing the shutter you should always look through the viewfinder and take a second or two to search for any distracting elements that may be present. If you can see it in the viewfinder, you will probably see it in the finished print. If you adhere to rule number one, get in close, and rule number two, fill the frame then this should be an easy task.
Avoid Bright Sunlight Bright Sun makes your subjects squint their eyes and causes harsh shadows. If you must shoot under such conditions turn your subject so that the light comes from a 45 degree or even 90 degrees and then use a fill flash for the shadows. Move the subject into the shade.
Open Shade Open shade is a photographer's best friend. Move your subjects into a bright shady spot and use your flash if necessary. This avoids the problems of harsh sunlight. Colors are brighter and there is much less glare. Under trees, watch out for the dappling light spots caused by sun coming through the leaves. Use fill flash and reposition your subjects.
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Use Reflectors A mirror, a small piece of cardboard wrapped with foil, a white wall or any other reflective surface will reflect light back onto your subject and open up the shadows. Place the reflective surface out of the image area but close enough to the subject to bounce light into the darker shadows.
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