101 tips for better photos
10/09/07 20:30 Filed in: Photography
2. Get closer. There is a temptation to include everything in your photos but don't be afraid to cut out some details. Try focusing more on the details rather than the whole.
3. Everything looks different when viewed from a different perspective. Try photographing your subject from different angles.
4. The majority of photos with the subject smack-bang in the centre of the picture can be dull and boring. The rule of thirds involves dividing your viewfinder into an imaginary tic-tac-toe square. The trick is place the main subject in one of the four intersecting points.
5. If your shooting outside and your subject's face is in the shade use fill flash to get rid of shadows.
6. Takes lots of photos. The more you practice the better you'll get.
7. Shoot in black and white. By eliminating colour you are forced to think more in terms of composition and form.
8. Carry your camera with you at all times. You never know when a great photo moment will pop up.
9. Just about any solid structure (walls, mounds, tables) can be used as improvised tripods to support the camera and avoid the dreaded camera shake.
10. When composing your photo look out for any walls, trees, holes, or lampposts that could be used to frame your picture.
11. Take spontaneous, unstaged photos. They are almost always better and more natural looking.
12. Always be aware of what is going on in the background of your shot. Be especially aware of anything that might distract or otherwise take away from your photo.
13. If you buy only one lens for your camera let it be a standard 50mm. Believe me you won't regret it.
14. Panning or moving your camera at the same speed as your subject is a great way to shoot action and at the same time eliminate any distractions.
15. Play around with filters to achieve various effects. Many digital cameras have built-in filters while any good photography shops will sell an array of filters for SLR cameras. The most common uses for filters are boosting colours, special effect and highlighting particular skin tones.
16. Don't be afraid to ask to photograph people. Many people will see this as a complement.
17. Always be conscious of lighting. It can be the difference between a mediocre picture and a winner.
19. Keep a close eye on your camera in crowded places. Cameras are beckons for robbers.
20. Visit photo sites. Good starting places are Flickr, photosig and photonet.
21. Participate in forums. You can learn a lot there and ask questions too.
22. After any photo session do a critique of your pictures while asking yourself how you could have improved upon each photo.
23. Experiment with different film speeds. Changing ISO changes the contrast, grain and the minimum shutter speed of your shot.
24. Learn to bounce the flash for more natural looking indoor shots.
25. Getting in the habit of editing your photos digitally can make you a lazy and careless photographer. Try perfecting your photos first in the camera and later in the digital darkroom.
26. The most important part of any portrait is the subject's eyes. By positioning catchlights (reflections of light) in your model's eyes it can improve your shot tenfold.
27. Shoot still life. It can be quite challenging.
28. Always be on the lookout for patterns.
29. Know where the sun is relative to your subject. If you shoot into the sun your subject will likely be in shadow; shoot with the sun facing your subject and you will having them squinting back at you. Look for a place with less harsh lighting or use fill flash.
30. Ask other photographers to criticise your work. It can be a very humbling, but rewarding experience.
31. Always hold the camera with both hands. It helps to steady the camera.
32. For spur of the moment photos shoot first, then adjust your settings for the second shot. Too many great shots have been lost because the photographer spent too long finding the perfect settings.
33. Find a camera that allows for quick adjustments. Lots of buttons and switches can look good on a camera but may end up only slowing you down.
34. Learn all the ins and outs of your camera.
35. Learn to shoot from the hip. You will at one stage or another find yourself in a situation where you don't want to make it apparent that you are taking photos.
37. Look around the room you are sitting in right now and find things to photograph.
38. Get a friend or partner to model for you.
39. Take a course in B&W white photography and development. You'll learn a lot about the basic concepts of photography.
40. If it's bright over-expose; if it's dark under-expose.
41. Read your camera's instruction manual.
42. Subscribe to a photo magazine.
43. If you photograph models take a makeup course. It will cut down on airbrushing time later on.
44. Try and keep the tone of conversation light and jovial with your models to help them relax and be more comfortable around you.
45. Enter a photo competition. It can be a great motivator.
46. Don't blame your equipment. Even disposable cameras are capable of taking great photos.
47. Always carry spare batteries. You don't want to miss out on a great shot just because your batteries ran out.
48. Always take extra film or SD cards with you.
49. Conceptualise how your photo would look in black and white.
50. Consider what parts of your image you want to be exposed, in shadow and blown out.
51. Invest in a camera bag. With any luck it will last you years.
53. Treat your camera with care as it has many fragile and expensive components.
54. Buy a tripod.
55. You can find good quality used gear on sites like eBay and KEH.
56. Study the photos that appear on the front of the most famous national newspapers in your country. What is so good about these photos?
57. Spend time getting to know your models before photographing them. It helps them relax but also can help you figure out what part of their personality you want to reflect in your photos.
58. Photograph first, ask for permission after. You might break the spell of a wonderful shot by asking.
59. Read your camera's manual.
60. If you constantly take photos of friends and family, over time they will relax around the lens letting you snap off pictures that are less contrived.
61. Shoot from down on the ground and from up on a height. A fresh perspective can bring life into your pictures.
62. If possible process your own film. Chemists often "fix" your film so you are less likely to learn from your mistakes.
63. Use a short depth of field to eliminate distracting backgrounds. This can be achieved by using a telephoto lens, using a wide aperature or getting as close as possible to your subject.
64. Shop around for camera equipment. Prices can vary by hundreds of Euros.
65. Check out websites that give customer feedback on products. They tend to give cruder but more honest reviews.
66. You are only as good as your last set of photos.
67. Break the rules. Photography rules are better viewed as guidelines. While the rule of thirds holds true in many situations, you will undoubtedly come across a situation that calls for you to centre you subject.
68. Remember in art even rubbish can be art.
69. Take photos before and after people are ready. It is when people let their gaurd down. You might tick them off a little bit but it is better than having a fake, posed snapshots.
70. Blog about photography. It will keep your mind ticking over on the subject.
71. Keep a log of information such as shutter speed, f-stop, weather, etc. It can be useful when you are trying to figure out what you did right and wrong in your photos.
72. Use your non-trigger hand to eliminate glare by placing it above the lens to block out the sun. This breaks rule number 31 that said to use both hands, but since number 67 said break the rules no harm done!
73. Keep you horizons horizontal or else it will give the impression that everything is falling off the print.
74. Research the famous photographers and find out what was so great about the Greats.
76. Photograph a landscape at different times of the day. The lighting can completely change the mood of the photo.
77. Keep it simple. By removing clutter you draw more attention to the subject in your photograph.
78. Don't shoot portraits from down below. It will make the chin and nose more prominent.
79. Small children are great to practice on. They don't tend pose as much as adults do. Since they don't sit still for very long it will also help you to work on your timing. If they are not your own kids be sure that there is a guardian present at all times.
80. Get up early in the morning as the lighting is different at this time of the day, there are few people around, and certain weather conditions are best shot at this time such as mist, fog and freshly fallen snow.
81. Explore your locality for things to photograph. If nothing else it is a good way to get to know your neighborhood a little better.
82. Move your body. Don't expect the camera to do all the moving for you.
83. Look up. Anybody that has lived in an apartment with a balcony will know that people don't tend to look upwards. You could be missing out on a great shot right above your head.
84. We tend to think of shadows in a negative light (pun intended) but they can be used to our advantage. They can serve as guidelines and frames, add a sense of mystery to your photos, or hide something that you don't want to be seen.
85. Everybody has there own taste when it comes to photos. There will always be someone who doesn't like your photos. Take advice for what it's worth but don't take criticisms to heart.
86. When it comes to composition simplicity is the key.
87. Read up on graphic design concepts. You'll learn a thing or two.
88. If it's a choice between moving closer or using digital zoom, move closer.
89. Double check that the auto-focus is focusing on what you want. Portraits can be ruined because the photographer thought that they were focusing on the eyes when in fact auto-focus zeroed in on the nose. To avoid this problem switch to manual focus.
90. Use multiple pre-flashes to eliminate red eye, although it ruins the spontaneity.
91. Experiment with fast film speeds for indoor shoots rather than relying on flash. It will give your photos a more natural and moody feel.
92. I found it very confusing starting out that an F-stop value of 8 had a larger aperture than an F value of 32. Try thinking of these numbers as fractions and it all makes sense, i.e. 1/16 is larger than 1/32, etc.
93. Don't be wasteful with space. If the free space isn't adding to your photo move closer.
94. Find a photographer you like and find out as much as possible about them.
95. Book yourself a holiday. Taking photos always feels more natural when you are a tourist.
96. Read, read, read.
97. Pack some snacks if you plan to be off photographing for a few hours.
98. You don't have to capture everything in a single photo.
100. Make sure that your fingers and camera strap aren't obstructing the view finder.
101. Reread this list again in case there was anything that you missed (especially number one!).
Why stop at 101? The plan is that this will be an ever expanding list. If you have suggestions, criticisms, advice, or more tips please leave a comment or send an email to ciaransblog@mac.com. If you found this article helpful please bookmark it below. While similar lists can be found elsewhere on the internet I've tried to be as comprehensive and as original as possible, using tips that have worked for me. Feel free to use this list however you see fit but please link back to me.
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Desclaimer: I have no connection to any of the publications and sites mentioned.