Photo Basics

Here are some simple tips and rules that can help you to create better pictures. Use them as a guide to lead you in creating that extraordinary picture. But remember there are exceptions to every rule, so if you think something will look good, don't be afraid to try it! Enjoy!

Just a simple pause

This seems like a little thing, but often times just taking a pause before pressing the button and really looking through the view finder can go a long way to improving your shots. Check that everything is in the viewfinder that you want or that there isn't too much there. Check that the camera is straight and level.

Avoid things growing from the head

If your shooting a person try and watch that objects behind the subject do not appear cluttered around the subject's head. An example might be a lamp directly behind someone's head will tend to detract from the picture.

Explore different angles

Try shooting your subject from different angles not just straight on. Often times a unique point of view can really add dimension to a picture. Don't be afraid to climb up that hill, stand on a chair, or even lie on your back. Great artists will go to great lengths to get that perfect shot!

The Rule of Thirds

One old rule is to divide your frame or view finder into thirds and position your main subject where the lines intersect. This keeps the picture from just being a plain old straight on shot and often time will lend a natural balance to the picture.

Turn the camera

Try turning the camera 90 degrees and taking a vertical shot instead of a horizontal shot. This particular technique works great when shooting a picture of one or two persons.

Know where the sun is

The old saying of keep the sun over your shoulder is a good one to follow. Try to avoid shooting into the sun. Often times shooting into the sun will cause a lens flare and you will have a light streak going across your picture or other un-wanted effects

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