7 Ways To Improve Your Photos
Everyone's a photographer. I think my daughter has a bigger portfolio than mine. Of course hers is mostly filled with selfies of the outfit of the day, our three dogs and her Saturday night escapades, but it could still be considered "event" photography.
Regardless of what your camera of choice is or what kind of photographer you are, here are 7 tips on how to take better pictures.
1. Photograph what you love. Whether it's people, flowers or your dog, your more apt to devote more time to learning and practicing if you are passionate about your subject. Ok, you don't have to be passionate, but you should really, really like it.
2. Use the Rule of Thirds for a more balanced composition. If you subscribe to my newsletter, I've written about this before. Visually breakdown your shot into a grid of nine equal rectangles and place you main subject on at least one of the intersections. It will create a more natural composition.
In this photo, the center of the wheel is situated on the right third of the composition. It isn't necessarily an exciting subject, but you make it more interesting by the placement as opposed to having the subject set in the center.
3. Forget you have a built in flash. Don't use it. It creates harsh, unflattering shadows.
4. Fill the frame. In other words, close in on your subject. Don't leave a lot of empty space around it. This helps emphasize the subject.
As a macro photographer, I am always filling the frame, usually to an extreme. But, my image of cherry blossoms is a good example of showing minimal negative space around the main subject. It gives the image context without background distraction.
5. Change your perspective. If you always shoot at eye level, it starts to get boring. Try crouching down and shoot from below or laying down and shooting straight up. Stand up on something and get higher than your subject and shoot on a downward angle or straight down. Experiment.
6. Match shutter speed to your lens focal length. This will help reduce the likelihood of blurry pictures. If you are using a 50 mm lens, then you should use a shutter speed of 1/50 sec or faster. Longer lenses use a faster shutter speed. This will help compensate for camera shake.
7. Use leading lines. You can save a weaker composition by using leading lines. Natural lines in scene help direct where the viewer's eyes move. Straight lines can create depth and curved lines will lead the viewer around the image.
In my image Cycles, the lines on the side walk help direct the viewer to focus on the bikes.
Now, go out and start shooting and let me know how you did!