Simple tips for taking better photos

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Sunlight


Using the sun to light your photos

Natural sunlight provides some of the best lighting for great shots with more detail and vivid colors. Be careful:

  • Really bright sunlight casts harsh shadows
  • Overhead sunlight can wash out detail in faces



The sunlight is extremely harsh in this photo. Most of the little girls' facial details are lost.


This photo is a bit too bright. Using a little less sunlight makes colors brighter and more vivid.


The girls' faces are too dark because there isn't enough sunlight in this photo.



There isn't enough sunlight in this photo. Place your subjects where they can be lit by the sun.


Perfect! The colors are rich and vibrant, and the girls' facial features are nicely defined.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image

Enlarge image

Tip:
For best results, avoid taking photos when the sun is directly overhead. This can cause harsh shadows. Also, try to shoot with the sun behind you. This prevents loss of detail caused by bright light.

Cloudy/Overcast


Get creative on gray days

Less-than-ideal weather conditions won't keep you from getting that perfect shot. Cloudy skies produce unique photos:

  • Get interesting highlights with enhanced mood
  • Make colors pop in contrast to the gray sky



Shooting on a sunny day creates shadows and highlights on the boy's face and arms.


Partly cloudy skies give you even lighting and glowing colors, with less dramatic contrast.


Notice how the boy in the foreground pops out in contrast to the overcast sky.

Tip:
Shooting in the rain can be fun, but be careful not to damage your camera. You can waterproof your camera by wrapping it in a plastic bag and cutting a hole for the lens to poke through.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Night-time photos


Capture breathtaking evening photos

The key to great night photos is turning off your flash. Just follow these guidelines:

  • Set shutter speed slower to let in enough light
  • Stay steady, slow shutter speeds blur photos
  • Use a tripod or place camera on stationary surface



The flash lit the faces but canceled out the fire's glow. It's okay, but not very dramatic.


You get blurry photos when you turn off the flash and don't hold the camera steady enough.


Perfect! For dramatic night shots like this one, turn off your flash and hold your camera steady.

Tip:
Place your camera on a tripod and set its shot timer so there's no risk of your camera moving when you press the trigger.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Golden hour


A great time for some photo magic

Sunrise and sunset are what photographers call the "golden hour" or "magic hour." Photos taken at these times are rich and dramatic:

  • Get "golden" light instead of blinding midday sun
  • Your photos will have warm and inviting colors



This photo looks like it was taken mid-day in bright sunlight.


This photo is a bit darker, but it still lacks the warmth of the golden hour.


This photo was taken a bit too late in the day.



This photo was taken too late in the day to benefit from the golden hour.


Notice this photo's warm, rich colors and dramatic lighting.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image

Enlarge image

Tip:
Using the golden hour is especially good for people shots so you avoid harsh shadows on faces caused by midday sun. Experiment with angles and zoom to find the perfect balance of light.

Flash


Get more effective flash photos

The flash is a great tool if you know how to get the most of it. The key is keeping your distance:

  • Your camera's flash has a range of about 10 feet
  • Too far? Your photo will be too dark
  • Too close? Bright light blows out detail



This photo was taken from too far back while using a zoom. The photo lacks light as the flash was too far away to reach the girl's face.


Yikes! The flash fired right in front of the girl, causing her face to be harshly lit.


Yes! The girl is at a perfect distance from the flash, resulting in a bright and clear photo.

Tip:
The best way to avoid overexposed flash photos is to step back and zoom in to your subject. This way, the flash is a good distance from your subject, but you still get your close-up.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Red-Eye


Keep annoying "red-eye" out of your photos

The flash reflecting off the retina of your subject's eyes is what causes the common problem of red-eye. Reduce red-eye by following these guidelines:

  • Move outdoors or into brighter light
  • Have your subject avoid looking directly into the lens



Notice how red-eye occurs when the flash is used and the subject looks toward the lens.


Notice how red-eye occurs when you use the flash and the subject looks toward the lens.


Red-eye is more common in low-light situations; you can reduce red-eye by increasing room light.



Red-eye can be avoided by having the subject look away from the lens.


The easiest way to avoid red-eye is to turn off your camera's flash; you can also increase room light.


Use your camera's red-eye reduction flash setting to help avoid red eyes.

Tip:
Many HP cameras offer in camera automatic red-eye removal.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Rule of thirds


Move your subject for more compelling photos

You don't have to center your subject in every photo you shoot. Create more visual interest by using the Rule of Thirds:

  • Divide your photo into a tic-tac-toe grid
  • Place the main "interest" at grid intersections
  • Use photo software to crop later if necessary



Placing the subject in the center of the photo isn't ideal. Try moving the subject to either side.


This placement works well by using the hillside to emphasize the subject.


Placing the subject here provides an interesting, eye-pleasing composition.

Tip:
You don't always get the perfect shot to begin with, so keeping the Rule of Thirds in mind, try cropping your photo after you've shot it using HP Photosmart Essential software for the same effect.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image
Enlarge image

Camera positioning


Change the angle and create more impact

The difference between a good photo and a great photo is sometimes just a matter of how you approach it.

  • Change the camera angle for creative shots
  • Move your camera in relation to the subject
  • Zoom in or out to change the composition



While this is a good photo, it could be made more interesting by changing its perspective.


Shooting from above draws more attention to the child as the main focus of the photo.


See how you can create a more exciting photo by shooting the subject from below?

Tip:
Try these ideas to get a different perspective when you take a photo:

  • Hold your camera at arm's length above your head
  • Lie on the ground
  • Get very close to your subject
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Frame the shot


Add more visual appeal to your shots

Sometimes the best way to draw attention to your center of interest is to create a frame around it.
  • A "frame" helps the subject stand out
  • Add drama, depth and interest
  • Use scenic elements like trees or other objects



This photo lacks the visual appeal it might have if some framing elements were included.


See how the tree adds drama and interest without dominating the photo?


Using the tree and the grass as framing elements makes this a remarkable photo.

Tip:
Once you've situated your subject in the area where you want to shoot, always view your subject from several different angles to locate objects you can use to frame your photo.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Using lines


Add depth and create interest with lines

Create interesting perspective and enhance ordinary shots by using straight or curved lines within the frame.

  • Lines lead the eye to the center of interest
  • Look for brick walls, sidewalks, fences, and edges
  • Shoot lines at an angle for unique shots



The sidewalk on the left and the curb in the center draw attention to the girl and add depth.


Notice how the horizon line and the lines of the pier draw the eye into the photo.


See how placing the boy on a line adds depth to the photo?

Tip:
Get creative with lines in your photo. Position your subject at a corner where a fence intersects, or use a long sidewalk to "point" to your subject.
Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image


Background


The right background makes a better photo

Backgrounds can play a huge role in how interesting your photo is. Consider these points when choosing a background:

  • Watch for clutter and other distracting elements
  • Don't use a busy or competing background
  • Remove objects that connect to the subject



Not quite, notice the lamppost sticking out from the subject's head.


Almost. Placing the cluster of buildings directly behind the couple causes visual clutter.


Keep trying. In this shot, the tree appears to be sprouting from the girl's head!



Perfect! The couple stands out because there are no distractions in the background.


Gallery examples


Enlarge image

Enlarge image


Enlarge image

Enlarge image

Tip:
Watch out for items in the background that might look odd when photographed, like a lamp post sticking out behind someone's head.

Posted by Photography at 5:44 AM  
0 comments

Post a Comment