10 tips for better photography

10 Tips for better photography

1)Look your subject in the eye.  Direct eye contact can be as engaging in a picture as it is in real life.

2) Use a plain background. A plain background shows off the subject you are photographing.  When you look through the camera viewfinder, force yourself to study the area surrounding your subject. Make sure no poles grow from the head of your subject.

3) Use flash outdoors. Bright sun can create unattractive deep facial shadows. Eliminate the shadows by using your flash to lighten the face.

4) Get close. If your subject is smaller than a car, take a step or two closer before taking the picture and zoom in on your subject.

5) Move it from the middle. Bring your picture to life by simply moving your subject away from the middle of the frame.

6) Lock the focus. If your subject is not in the center of the picture, you need to lock the focus to create a sharp picture. Most auto-focus cameras focus on whatever is in the center of the picture. If you don't want a blurred picture, you'll need to first lock the focus with the subject in the middle and then recompose the picture so the subject is away from the middle. Usually you can lock the focus in three steps. First, center the subject and press and hold the shutter button halfway down. Second, reposition your camera (while still holding the shutter button) so the subject is away from the center. And third, finish by pressing the shutter button all the way down to take the picture.

7) Know the range of your flash. What is your camera's flash range? Look it up in your camera manual. Can't find it? Then don't take a chance. Position yourself so subjects are no farther than ten feet away.

8) Watch the light.  Don't like the light on your subject? Then move yourself or your subject. Pay attention to your surroundings and you will end up with much better results

9)  Take some vertical pictures.  Turn your camera sideways and make a conscious effort to take some vertical pictures.

10) Control the scene when possible.  Don't be afraid to ask someone to remove their glasses if it makes for a better image.  Often times, people think that they can't control the final outcome but more is within your control then you think.  Move the subject if you need to and take great photos.