HaraHow to Take Better Looking Pictures
By:
Andrea Harman
&
April Williams
www.momentsbyaprilwilliams.com
You don’t need to spend lots of money on a camera. A point-and-shoot camera has limitations but it can still take great pictures.
Having a good photo composition can take images to the next level.
Photographic Composition is the pleasing selection and arranging of subjects within the picture area. (Don’t get caught up in only watching to see if the subject is smiling.)
1) Simplicity
Give the point of interest in pictures the most attention.
Want the reason for taking the picture to be obvious.
a) Select uncomplicated backgrounds
b) Avoid including unrelated subjects (watch for people who wonder into your picture)
2) Framing
Photographic frame is an object that acts as a border or frame to your subject. Examples - shooting through a branch, window, tunnel, arches, or doorways.
a) Gives the photo context-tells you about the place you are
b) Gives the image a sense of depth if you put something in the foreground of subject
c) Leads eye toward your main focal point
d) Intriguing the viewer-sometimes what you can’t see draws you into it
Don’t always use this technique. Consider if it will add or take away from the shot. Sometimes framing can just add clutter to a shot and other times it creates a stunning one.
3) Rule of Thirds:
The basic principle behind the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking an image down into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. You can align most, or the strongest horizontal and vertical lines in your shot up with the grid lines. For example, if you imagine the grid over top of the photo of the little boy, you will see that he is lined up with the right vertical line.
You can also break the grid up into four possible points of interest, which are shown in red. The human eye tends go to one of the intersection points more naturally rather than the center of the photo –so using the rule of thirds works with this natural way of viewing an image.
Questions to ask yourself:
A) What are the points of interest in this shot?
B) Where am I intentionally placing them?
4) Angles
A)angle of your subject/tips for a good headshot photo
1. The angle… turn subject slightly away from the camera.
2. have good posture
3. lengthen neck and sit up straight
4. shoot a little above your subject, so the camera is slightly pointing down. This is a little trick to make your subject look slimmer
B) angle of your camera
Watch the angle of the camera when taking your photos. Pay attention to the background. Watch for houses, power lines, people in the background. By simply moving the position of your camera, you can eliminate distractions from the background.
5) Backgrounds
A) Backgrounds should be simple or uniform. Grass, brick and stone walls are perfect examples of this.
B) Look for things that will become distractions…trucks, telephone lines, people walking in the background.
C) Think outside the box for different background options. An old, worn door with peeling paint, an old brick walkway, an overgrown ivy patch are some examples of this.
Focusing
1) Make sure the right object is in focus.
2) How to minimize the delay between pressing the button and taking the picture.
Most of the delay between pressing the button and hearing the camera take the picture comes from focusing. If your camera is pre-focused (button is half-pressed, or camera is in manual focus mode), then there will be much less of a delay between pressing the button and taking the picture. Therefore, you should have that button half-pressed in advance if your picture is going to capture a precise moment in time.
Using Natural Light
Avoid the midday sun
1) Strong direct sunlight is “hard” because it produces dark, well defined shadows and highlights.
2) Putting the sun behind the photographer creates a problem because then subjects are looking right into the sun.
3) If you need to take a picture outside on a very sunny day move into the shade. Just be careful under trees due to the splotchy shadows that can occur on subject.
4) Use fill flash outside so you get rid of dark shadows.
A party cloudy day works best
Using Flash
When should I use the flash?
1) Use indoors when there is not enough natural light
2) Use outdoors to fill unwanted shadows
Point-and-shoot cameras don’t give you much control over the flash. You can diffuse the built in flash by simply taping a piece of translucent paper over flash.
Macro Photography
On point-and-shoot camera need to select Macro mode. Generally symbolized with a little flower and when selected it will tell camera you want to focus on subject closer to lens than normal. Allows you to get great shots of hands, feet, and work your child has done.
Tips for Successfully Photographing Infants
1) Use heating pad to make blankets warm if taking off clothes. It’s also important to have the room at a cozy temperature.
2) Hide tinkle pad under blanket if taking clothes off.
3) Include mom/dad’s hand to get a scale for comparison.
4) Keep background simple so tiny baby is focus. Either buy a plain fabric or iron a sheet.
5) Try taking pictures right after baby has eaten.
6) Continuous Shooting Mode
7) Have patience
Tips for Successfully Photographing Toddlers
1) Get in their world.
2) Catch kids in their element.
3) Make it playtime.
4) Kids are quick, so be quicker.
5) Add subjects they like or are important to them.
6) Catch them when they least expect it. Get your shot set up and then make a noise to get the child to look at you and take the picture.
7) Continuous Shooting Mode
Tips for Successfully Photographing Children
1) Get a natural smile, by making them laugh.
2) Show them in action (the park is a great place to take pictures)
3) Get on their level and experiment with different angles
4) Let them see a few of the pictures after you take them on the screen of camera. This will encourage them to pose some more.
5) Continuous Shooting Mode
Tips for Successfully Photographing Pre-Teen/Teenagers
1) Take pictures of them in a group.
2) Let them contribute their own ideas.
3) Use backgrounds that reflect who your teen is.
4) Consider their interests and photograph them pursuing a hobby.
5) Talk to them like an adult.
Tips for a Successful Family Picture
1) Avoid stripes and patterns that distract the eye.
2) Having fun and joking around is key.
3) Choose a background that has meaning to family.
4) Use mini groups within family if group is large.
5) Larger groups make it harder to eliminate things in background. Angles play important role.
6) Pay close attention to hands.
7) Use tripod if you want to get in picture.
8) Continuous Shooting Mode
9) Remember levels…think about different heights, some people standing/sitting, moving some people closer to camera, some further away
Other Suggestions
1) In order to get the best pictures:
• Read camera manual
• Try using settings other than just auto
• Practice
• Tinker around with Black and White
• Have fun!!!
Save and use next year for a Halloween wreath.