10 Great Tips for Taking Better Photographs

Haylingcameraclub.co.uk is for everyone with an interest in photography. It is intended to help beginners get started in photography, and help people like you to take better photographs. Here are ten simple tips to get you on your way to taking better pictures.

  1. Whether you use digital or film, check your camera is ready, and always carry a spare set of batteries.

  2. When photographing people, you should be close enough to the subject so they fill the main portion of the screen, but not so close that you cut off essential elements – like their head or feet!

  3. Cameras often have lines on the viewfinder to show the centre and edge of the picture, so use these to pick your frame more accurately.

  4. You should try to avoid sunlight shining directly at your subject because it could make your subject look bleached out and flat. Sunlight can also produce a glare or silhouette your subject if you’re taking a picture with the sun behind the subject. Ideally the light should come from the side creating shadows and giving shape to the subject.

  5. Check the area behind your subject before taking your picture. Make sure there are no trees or pole poking out from your subjects head. A cluttered background can be distracting, while a plain background will emphasize your subject.

  6. When taking pictures of your pets, the key thing is patience. They won’t always cooperate, so take your time and eventually they will relax and do something cute. Have something to hand - like a squeaky toy - when you want to attract their attention.

  7. When taking portraits, especially of children, try not to look down on your subjects. Get the angle of your shot right. Get down to their level, place them on a bench or a chair, or mount your camera on a tripod adjusted to their eye level.

  8. When photographing landscape, think hard about composition. A view of distant scenery may look great at the time, but can look boring in a photo. Try to include a focal point – a person, a tree, a house – to add interest.

  9. While strong shadows should be avoided when shooting people, they can add depth to a landscape. The best time to take photographs is morning or evening when the sun is low, otherwise the image can look very flat and boring.

  10. Know your flash range. For most cameras that’s about 10 feet away, but you can check in your manual. If the subject is further than your cameras flash range then your picture may be too dark.