| Taking a good photograph can sometimes be | | | | simply a full length shot of a friend. |
| tricky. I have outlined some basic tips and | | | | 6. Don't forget to zoom. You will be surprised how |
| techniques to watch out for when taking your | | | | many people forget about zoom when it comes |
| next set of photographs. Most of these are | | | | to taking a photograph. Experiment with it, you |
| extremely simple, but will show positive effects. | | | | can take very vivid and detailed images by using |
| 1. Take lots of photographs. Not only will have the | | | | zoom, but remember to not zoom too much, as |
| opportunity to pick from a wide and varied | | | | the image can become blurry, depending on what |
| selection, you will also be able to analyse your | | | | camera you are using. |
| own photos and see what you would like to | | | | 7. Experiment with composition. When taking a |
| change about it. | | | | photo, you don't always need the subject you are |
| 2. Be aware of your surroundings. The last thing | | | | photographing in the middle. Try placing your |
| you need when taking a photo is something in | | | | subject to the side, you may find that your |
| your way, like people walking past, or leaves | | | | pictures tend to look stronger, as they are not so |
| flying into the middle of the shot. This can be time | | | | obvious. |
| consuming and very frustrating. | | | | 8. Watch out for the background. If you are |
| 3. Try not to have forced smiles. There is nothing | | | | photographing something specific, the last thing |
| worse than looking at the annual family photo and | | | | you want is to have a detailed and distracting |
| nearly everyone has a forced grin on their face. | | | | background, stealing the attention from the |
| Try and make them laugh right before you take | | | | subject you are photographing. |
| the shot, that way you may be able to capture | | | | 9. Watch out for the light. The most important |
| natural smiles. | | | | part of a picture is the light. It affects the |
| 4. Take most of your photographs outside if | | | | appearance of everything in a photograph, Re |
| possible. Natural light produces much better lighting | | | | position your subject, or try taking your picture |
| results for your photograph. If it's a bit cloudy | | | | from another angle, to make sure the light is |
| outside, experiment with your flash, the lighting will | | | | affecting the picture in a positive way. |
| still be better than artificial light indoors. | | | | 10. Engage with eyes. Maybe try photographing |
| 5. Explore vertical photographs. Not all of your | | | | your subject with direct eye contact, get down |
| photographs have to be horizontal; there are | | | | to the level of the eyes. The eye level angle will |
| many images that would look better if taken | | | | create a personal and inviting feeling, and is |
| vertically. Pictures of buildings for example, or | | | | extremely engaging. |