We all love taking photos but sometimes a picture taken just a little better could help make the scene more memorable. To help improve the quality of your shots in general we have prepared a guide with some quick pointers.
- Keeping it simple can often be the key to taking a good photo. Particularly when you are taking pictures of people when the subject needs all of your attention. Move closer to your subject and cut out any unnecessary distractions from the shot. Don't worry about including the whole of the person just focus on the top half of the body, mainly the head and shoulders.
- Adding a little depth will stop your pictures from looking flat. This can be achieved by using focal points to compare features of your photo. If you are taking a picture of a mountain then try and include a person nearby to create a sense of scale. This can help to make your picture more striking and leap out more. If there are no people about then look for something else like a car or tree. If you can't find anything you can always use the timer on your camera and include yourself.
- Some photos loose clarity and appear blurry when we want them to remain sharp and in focus. This can often be down to our stability when taking pictures. Think of your camera as a weapon which needs careful aiming to hit its target. Hold the camera in both hands and rest your elbows on your chest for extra support. Try leaning against a wall or another person to stop yourself from rocking or try using a tripod.
- You can accentuate action shots well by using motion to blur the background a little. If you are taking a photo of somebody running or mountain biking for example you can use this technique to keep the subject in the foreground in focus. Choose a slow shutter speed and experiment using the flash to create a feeling of motion.
- Lighting is an important factor to consider when taking pictures. When taking pictures outdoors try to position the sun behind you and a little to the left or right. With the light pouring onto your subject colours will be more clearly defined and the addition of shadows helps to add a little depth to the image.
- If you are making a themed collection of photos to summarise a trip or events then variety is in an important factor to take into account. Try to mix up your photos by having a range of shots. Include shots of landscapes as close shots and long shots, groups of people and generally whatever you feel sums up the events or trip. Be creative, don't just include shots of what you personally loved the most, sometimes taking pictures of a bad day of weather may conjure up memories. A quirky shop or strange signpost may remind you of some funny or unusual moments.
Experiment with these techniques and you should soon see the quality of your pictures improve. With a little practice your photography skills should soar!