10 Principles in Taking Good Pictures

Since digital photography is virtually free, the care of taking quality pictures has been lost to quantity. After all, at least one in the lot is bound to turn out. The very art of knowing how to take a good picture has nearly been lost.

The sad reality is that, far too often, when the dozens of pictures of an important event are downloaded, we discover that some key parts were never photographed well. To remedy this problem, memorize these points taken from Kodak’s website and practice them before the next important event takes place.

The first rule is, get down on the subject’s level. You may want a special effect but normally lean over, bend down, get on your knees so you can look the subject straight in the eye. If you feel like a fool doing this, remember that your injured pride will not outlast the record of the event!

Rule number two: pay attention to the background. If it is cluttered, it will distract from the subject. The background can also give a false impression. A bright light above a child’s head may give the appearance of a halo that is inappropriate! Be sure the background focuses attention on the subject.

Rule number three: use a flash, even when you’re outdoors. Today’s cameras will measure the amount of light on the subject and then will determine if a flash is needed. If the subject is close, force the camera to use the flash anyway. This will eliminate shadows on a face in the sun, and, in the shade, it will brighten the face.

Principle number four: move in close. Too often the photographer will fail to consider the final product when taking a picture. The result is disappointment as faces are too small to see. Move in as close as possible physically to let your subject fill to the borders. If you do this with the zoom lens, remember that the flash has a greater area to light than appears. This may or may not be good.

The fifth principle: Perhaps it would be better to take the picture vertically. The camera takes a rectangular picture, so a tall subject may be better photographed sideways and then rotated in the printer, camera, or computer afterwards. A family gathering would probably best be photographed horizontally, but a small family might be better closer and vertically.

Rule number six: Is the focus right? When your close subject is off center, the camera may focus on the background instead, leaving the subject blurry. To fool the camera, push the shutter button half way down as you point the camera directly at your subject. This procedure will lock the focus. Then, leaving the button half pushed, move the camera where you wanted it and take the picture. The camera will focus on the subject even though it is not in the center.

The seventh rule goes with number six: don’t always center your subject. Sometimes you say more with an off center subject. For example, you could send friends a picture of your new house taken straight on. Instead include the winding driveway on one side. This picture will be inviting people to visit. Be sure to follow rule six when doing this.

Principle number eight: know the range of your flash. We already mentioned the importance of using a flash, even outdoors. However, most cameras have a flash range of ten feet or less. Thus, if you want the flash to be effective, you must be within that range of the subject. And remember, if the zoom is used, the picture may appear close when in reality the subject is too far away.

The ninth rule is, check your light. The long shadows of the morning and evening are best for scenic shots. Avoid taking pictures of people in direct sunlight, but if you must, remember to use your flash.

The tenth rule is, direct your own picture. Arrange the subjects as you want, move to a different perspective if that is best, add some props as needed to balance the picture. In other words, don’t just take a shot; prepare the shot the way you want it. A good picture will do more than just record an event. It will make the viewers feel the event as well.

Following these tips will have your pictures turn out far above the norm. However, some events require a professional. If you’re interested in, or near eastern Virginia, consider the services of Del Haven Studio, an accomplished Virginia Beach maternity photographer.