Picture This Image
Photo Editing - Restoration - Photography
You, the Photographer
Tips for great photos
Here are a few "Tips" to help you get great pictures that will always bring fond memories. Photos are just a captured moment in time, but they bring back memories far richer than the picture itself.
Getting Great Pictures
At some point everyone who has ever taken pictures finds those special ones that really come out great. Sometimes it happens by just being in the right place at the right time. The lighting is right, the camera setup fits the environment, the composition just seems to work out. Those pictures just make you feel good and create wonderful memories. But how can you make that happen more often? With a few basic tips, you can increase the likelihood of getting a great photo.
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Before the fixes, let’s look at what creates disappointing results. First and foremost is poor lighting. Light coming from behind a subject typically creates a well exposed picture of the background, but the subject is too dark. Maybe the sun is facing the subject, but harsh shadows or squinty eyes come into play. If using a flash, the subject may be over exposed (too light), and the background is too dark. Red eye can also be a problem with a flash as well as unwanted shadows. And then there are those picture that look too yellow, or blue, or green. Does any of this sound familiar?
The next culprit is composition. It is composition that makes up the total scene or picture. A shot of a person standing at an overlook of a mountain range can either make the subject so small he gets lost in the picture, or a closer shot loses the impact of the vastness of the mountains. Or perhaps you take a picture of someone on a city street or in a busy restaurant. You may get a great picture of the subject, but there are so many other people around, she gets lost in the crowd. Have you ever taken a picture of someone only to find that you, and people you show it to, tend to look more at what is happening in the background than what you were actually taking the picture of? Good composition is a key element to bring the viewers eyes to the subject.
And then of course there is movement. Try taking a picture of a three year old at a party after he devoured cake and ice cream! How about shooting a NASCAR event when the cars are speeding by you. Or maybe your child sliding into homeplate or performing on a balance beam. All could be great shots… if only they would hold still for a minute!
So what do we do about all this? Truth is, sometimes you have little control, but you can make the most out of any situation.
Please note: These tips are for the amateur photographer using point and shoot cameras or entry level SLR cameras. These aren’t tips for studio quality results, just ways to get a good picture in different situations.
Top Tips… two of them!
- Read the cameras instruction manual. There are generally all kinds of settings that are often overlooked. If you understand the camera and use its capabilities, you are well on your way to creating wonderful photos.
- The next best tip… practice, practice, practice!
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