How to Take Better Digital Photos
Tips for Improving Your Vacation Pictures
Buying a new digital camera can improve your photography. But before using it, take time to do your "homework", learning all about it, as well as experimenting with it
You may have invested in a new digital camera and think your vacation pictures have to be better than those taken with that old outdated one. However, you still need to follow certain steps before your pictures will be exceptional enough that you’ll be proud sharing them.
First, be sure you’re familiar with all aspects of your new camera. Weeks before going on your trip, know everything about how your camera operates, as well as all the bells and whistles. Besides reading the instruction manual, inside out, also practice taking pictures. The more experience you get before the trip, the better pictures you’ll take.
Study the Composition of a Subject
Unless a subject has proper composition, it just doesn’t look right, regardless of fancy camera equipment. Keep moving around until your subject is in the best position possible. Note whether a subject looks better in a close-up portrait mode or in a long-distance landscape one. Often it’s best to have your subject off-center in your view frame (rather than in the bull’s eye center), as the pictures will be less stilted and more natural. Follow what’s called “the rule of the thirds". Imagine your photo divided into three horizontal and vertical sections, with your subject near the intersections of the imaginary grid lines.
Study When to Use a Flash
Because most digital cameras already have an auto flash, it’s possible you could be using the flash without even knowing it. The light from the flash moves so rapidly, you don’t have to worry about it. Although this is wonderful for portraits, you probably don’t want the flash to bounce off your subject for other views, such as landscapes. To remedy this, bounce the light off a wall or ceiling, onto your subject, making sure your subject isn’t too close to the wall to avoid distracting shadows.
Because auto flash photos usually have “red eye” you’ll need to eliminate it by choosing a red-eye-reduction setting. Of course, you can also remove red-eye after you’ve taken the picture, but it’s just better to avoid it beforehand. Also, know when not to use your auto flash, using natural light instead.
Take Action Shots
Don’t pose your pictures. Instead, take action shots. This makes your pictures more real. Also, experiment with unusual angles by turning your camera 45 degrees before snapping a picture. What’s more, instead of taking all pictures at eye level, get down on the ground (or kneel) for a more interesting shot.
Choose Uncluttered Scenes
Be careful that your picture isn’t cluttered with needless objects that get in the way of your main subject. Although you can easily eliminate clutter with software, it’s much easier to just avoid cluttered scenes when you take a picture. For example, you don’t want a forest in back of a portrait, but instead make sure it’s something that’s not distracting, such as a clear blue sky.
Get Close for Portraits
Get up close for portraits, having as little background as possible. However, be careful not to get too close, as you don’t want your picture to be blurry. For most cameras, the closest focusing distance is around three feet. That’s about one step away from your camera.
As for landscapes, you need to be far away from those distant mountains. But be sure to frame them with foreground objects such as shrubs and flowers.
Most of all have fun and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The beauty of a digital camera is you won’t be wasting film, but will learn something new with each imperfect shot.
