Simple tips for taking better photos
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunlight |
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![]() | ![]() | 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: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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![]()
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Cloudy/Overcast |
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![]() | ![]() | Get creative on gray days![]() Less-than-ideal weather conditions won't keep you from getting that perfect shot. Cloudy skies produce unique photos: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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. |

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Night-time photos |
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![]() | ![]() | Capture breathtaking evening photos![]() The key to great night photos is turning off your flash. Just follow these guidelines: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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. |

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Golden hour |
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![]() | ![]() | 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: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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![]()
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Flash |
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![]() | ![]() | 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: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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. |

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Red-Eye |
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![]() | ![]() | 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: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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. |

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Rule of thirds |
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![]() | ![]() | 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: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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. |

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Camera positioning |
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![]() | ![]() | 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. ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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? |

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Frame the shot |
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![]() | ![]() | 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.
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![]() ![]() 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. |

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Using lines |
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![]() | ![]() | Add depth and create interest with lines![]() Create interesting perspective and enhance ordinary shots by using straight or curved lines within the frame. ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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? |

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Background |
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![]() | ![]() | 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: ![]()
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![]() ![]() 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![]()
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