Tips to Make a Great Photo
Renowned photographer Ansel Adams once said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Capture the essence of a subject and make a great photo with the following tips.
1. Select the right camera settings.
Many times a photo gets tossed because of an out of focus subject, lighting and flash problems, or improper mode selection. Understanding photographic equipment is a must to avoid a pile of unusable pictures. Study the manual and practice the settings to know which ones to use in different situations.
2. Try different angles.
If numerous shots have been taken at eye level, attempt some new angles. Take a photo from up high or from ground level. Turn the camera at an angle. Experiment with a wide angle lens in a particularly stunning environment. Move the subject away from the middle of the picture. An appealing photo progresses past the typical straight-on-subject approach.
3. Experiment with candid shots and expressions.
Often, photographers stop once they have the perfect photo of the subject smiling directly at the camera. Interesting photos move beyond this point. Take an action shot. Encourage a change of expression like extreme silliness or seriousness. Ask the subject to look off into the distance, into another subject’s eyes, or at a prop. Direct the subject to jump in the air. Have the entire face fill the frame. Variety keeps photos from becoming predictable and boring.
4. Work with different lighting and backgrounds.
Try out loud backgrounds and minimalist backgrounds. Capture the way the light comes through the blinds of a window. Play with natural lighting or even neon lighting. Mix it up and see unique results.
With photography, practice makes perfect. Taking shots of subjects that inspire will promote artistic expression, resulting in outstanding pictures.