Tips for taking better photos: Do you ever wish you were a better photographer or wonder what you could do to give your photos that wow factor?
Sometimes a few simple changes can make a huge difference to the success of your photos. Here are some simple tips that you can use with the camera in your pocket; your mobile phone.
So here goes, my top tips for taking better photos!
1. See the light
The most important element of a photograph is light & so this is the most important tip. The word photography means ‘drawing with light’. If you don’t have light, you won’t have a photo.
Whatever your subject matter, before you pick up your camera, look at where the light is coming from & use it to your advantage.
Front Light
A nice, even, smooth light. When shooting portraits there are no shadows on the face.
How would you apply this in real life? Stand your subject facing the light, this could be the sun or a window.
Side light
This can be a dramatic & artistic light. Used on men it can give a mean & moody effect!
How would you apply this in real life? Stand your subject beside a window.
Both these photos are of the same woman, shot at the same time, using the same window as a light source. The only thing I changed was where I stood in relation to the subject & the light.
Back light
Your subject will be in shadow. You won’t be able to see their features, but you can sometimes get some nice effects.
How would you apply this in real life? Stand your subject with the sun or a window behind them.
Top light
Imagine the sun, high in the sky on a hot summer’s day. Notice the harsh shadows under the eyes. It’s not very flattering. This is one of the reasons many photographers avoid taking portraits in the midday sun – so much so that I can’t find any examples in my portfolio of top light!
How can you counterbalance your light source & work with what you’ve got?
Take a large piece of white card. If your light source is on one side of your subject, place the white card on the opposite side. The light will bounce off of the card & brighten the shadows. Likewise, if you can’t avoid shooting in the midday sun, place the white card underneath your subject. The sunlight will bounce down & fill in those under-eye shadows. It can sometimes take a little practice to get the reflector positioned in the right place.
2. Compose
“Good photos show things to the viewer in a different way.”
Everyone shoots the famous landmark from eye level. What happens if you change the height or angle of your view or shoot from the side? Shoot the scene from above, lay on the ground, and shoot from below. Changing your viewpoint will result in a photo with a much greater visual impact.
“Sometimes we focus too much on the obvious shot that we miss something special.”
Look straight up, look straight down & examine everything in-between. There are great shots from every viewpoint.
3. Rule of Thirds: Move it from the middle
Still on the theme of composition.
The middle of the photo is not always the best place for your subject. Bring your photo to life & make it more interesting by moving the subject away from the centre of the picture.
Try dividing your image into thirds. Both horizontally & vertically & position your subject in one-third of the frame. Doing so will add balance and interest.
4. Get in close
As the great Robbert Capa once said;
“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough.”
Don’t be afraid of getting up close to your subject. Take a step or two closer & get in amongst the action. Your goal is to fill the picture area with the subject you are photographing. Although don’t get too close or your pictures will be blurry. A general guide is three feet or one step away from your subject, any closer & your camera will struggle to focus.
Getting in close links nicely to tip five…
5. Think about your background
A bad background can ruin a great photo.
Like with top light, I can’t find any examples of photos I’ve shot where the background spoils the image. It is something I always think about, even when snapping on my phone!
Sometimes the background is distracting. It might be busy, messy or cluttered. Move the distraction, move your subject or change your viewpoint to hide the distraction.
Sometimes you can also make a bad background into a striking image. You’d never guess that in this photo the guy is sitting in front of a big purple bin!
Coming up next…
And why not put these first five tips into action & let me know how you get on?
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