Tips to Take Better Pictures

Wish you could take better pictures?

Image: Adam Hickmott / FreeDigitalPhotos.net


It's easier than you think. There are some basic elements that affect how our photos turn out.

Learn these tips to take better photos.

• Framing – Frame your subject horizontally or vertically. Try framing your subject both ways. You can even try tilting the camera at an angle inbetween.

• Cropping – Try cropping your subject by thirds; 3/3 full length, 2/3 or 1/3. You can crop loose or tight. You can center your subject if it fills the frame. Decide how much of the background to show, or crop in for detail.

• Placement – Using the rule of thirds can help give interest to your photos. This is a great tip to hlep you take better pictures. Divide the frame into thirds horizontally or vertically. Place your subject on third lines, left and right or top and bottom.

  Try placing the center of your subject on the intersection of a horizontal and verticle third line. Center the subject if it fills the frame, use the rule of thirds if there is space around the subject. When placing subject on a third line, remember to focus on the subject first, then shift and shoot.

• Background – Backgrounds can be more or less of a distraction. Walk around to find the best background. Watch for light or dark areas, bright light or shade. Moving to a slightly different area can make a big difference to the subject and background. Be aware of what is in front of the subject, the foreground.

• Lighting – Lighting can change as you change your angle to the subject. With large objects such as a mountain or building, wait for the best time of day. With a movable object you can move it into the best light. Find the best background and angle. A low camera angle can increase shadow if it is lower than the light source. Shadows disappear when your camera angle is at the same height and angle as the light.

• Camera Height – Changing the camera height affects the background. Instead of shooting every picture from a standing position, try sitting for a low camera angle, or standing on something to get a high camera angle.

  Camera height can make a background more or less distracting. Be aware of where objects and horizontal lines appear behind the subject.

• Tilt – High and low angles can have a dramatic affect, but can also cause distortion. Generally a normal angle is better for portraits.

• Subject – Changing the camera height changes the view of the subject. Try kneeling down to take pictures of a child to reduce distortion. The more you tilt your camera, the more distortion you will have.

• Direct Light – Direct sun puts a harsh shadow on peoples faces and makes them squint.

• Indirect Light – Indirect sunlight is the best. It is softer and natural.

• Shade – Created by an object blocking the direct light.

• Back light – When the sun is behind the subject. The subject is making it's own shade. Back lighting can be recognized by the rim of light around the subject.

• Diffused light – When light passes through something, it diffuses the light. Clouds can diffuse and soften light. The long rays of light at sunrise and sunset are softened by the atmosphere. These are ideal times for many photos.

• Noon – At noon the sun is closed to the earth. The rays of light are shortest The high angle casts harsh shadows on people and flat lighting with little definition on scenic photos.

• Morning & Afternoon – The angle of the sun is lower, an angle of light less than 30 degrees is usually best. At sunrise and sunset the light is diffused by the atmosphere, giving a warm light and soft shadows.

Keep these tips in mind and you will learn how to take better pictures for your scrapbooks.






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