Taking Better Pictures

Taking better pictures is a goal shared by both professional and amateur photographers. Regardless of skill level, there's always some fine-tuning that can be done to capture eye-catching images. The challenge is being able to incorporate various photography techniques to create frame worthy images.

You don't have to be a pro to take better pictures.

With the dawn of the digital era, it would seem as though photographers can do no wrong. High-tech digital cameras with their advanced photo-taking systems coupled with sophisticated photo editing software make it seemingly impossible to take a bad picture. Unfortunately, there's only so much a single camera can do to compensate for lack of skill.

If your goal is to take better pictures, then it's vital that you master the following basic photo techniques:

Good composition is the key to great photography. Taking well-composed pictures requires practicing the "rule of thirds." To achieve this, simply divide your image into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. By doing so, you will be left with nine imaginary equal-shaped squares as you look through your camera's viewfinder.

The key is to place your subject at the intersecting points, instead of in the center of the viewfinder. Placing your subject in the dead center of the frame makes for a boring, static picture. Your pictures will become much more visually stimulating if you use the rule of thirds when framing your subjects.

In order to snap better pictures, you need to find the most unique vantage point. Don't be afraid to move around and contort your body capture the best angle. For example:

• Lie down on the floor when shooting pictures of a crawling infant
• Climb a tree to take a photo of a meadow
• Squat down to take shots of perfectly planted spring tulips
• Stand on a chair to take a picture of a class of graduating students

The key to snapping better pictures is to experiment and try different perspectives. Look for angles that are interesting and demonstrate the mood you're trying to capture.

A good photo includes proper balance. Meaning it features the correct combination of colors, shapes, and proper lighting:

• Color: Look for contrasting colors that will enhance your photo. If your subject is wearing light-colored clothing, then place her in front of a dark-colored background. Or, experiment with angles so you capture as many different colors in a single frame as possible.

• Shapes: Instead of taking a static shot of a horse standing in a field, try to fill your viewfinder with a variety of shapes. Consider positioning yourself so your image includes a fence, trees, flowers, rocks, or other noteworthy objects.

• Lighting: Use as much natural light as possible. If you are shooting indoors, then position your subject by a door or window and avoid using your camera's flash.

Take better photos with a digital camera.

Due to falling prices and ease of use, digital cameras are more popular than ever. While the basic principles of photography still apply, digital cameras have their own unique characteristics that differ from traditional film cameras. To take better pictures with a digital camera, consider the following tips:

You can avoid taking busy wide shots by simply taking a few steps closer to your subject. Ideally, you want your subject to fill most of the frame. Doing so will allow you to capture details that are often more interesting than an overall view. If you can’t move closer to a subject, then employ your camera's optical zoom. The goal is to eliminate extraneous objects that may detract from your main subject.

Most point-and-shoot digital cameras have an annoying delay between the time you press the shutter button and the moment when the camera takes the picture. When shooting with a digital camera, it is vital to anticipate the action and always be ready to shoot.

Shooting with a digital camera requires thinking big. It's important to shoot at the highest resolution available, especially if you want to print your images or enlarge part of the photo on your home computer.

You can always decrease the resolution of the image on your computer if you want to email it to a friend. However, if you start off with a low-resolution image, you will not have the flexibility to amend your photo prior to printing it.

Most digital camera owners get lazy and shoot exclusively in the "auto mode." If you want to enhance your photos, you need to experiment with different shooting modes. For example, if you use a slow shutter speed for action photos you have a better shot of capturing an image where your subject is in focus and the background is blurry, which makes for a much more interesting picture.

Whether you are a paid professional or a hobby photographer, the key to taking better pictures is to experiment and have fun. If you incorporate those ideals in your everyday shooting, the resulting photos will impress anyone who sees them.

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