10 Tips for Taking Better Photos Today

I want to add a disclaimer right off the top that I in no way consider myself a professional photographer, qualified to pass out advice to anyone. There are MANY folks who know MUCH more than I do. This post is just for fun. Good, clean, fun. OK? OK. 

In my very first graphic design class in college, the professor took a section of the class to work on photography. For most of us, including myself, this was our first soiree into that art. She handed out a list of doable tips for making your pictures better immediately. I was fascinated that such a simple set of instruction could make such a dramatic difference. 

1) Get closer. Zoom in and cut off part of the subject. Try shooting in macro mode (look for the tulip on your camera).2) With children, get down on their level. Even if it means throwing yourself on the ground. Even if the ground is muddy. Even if you're in white pants. 3) Find the light. Shoot during the first and last few hours of the day when the light is at a low angle. Try each shot with and without flash.4) Change the angle. Unusual angles often offer striking backgrounds. 5) Shoot people from slightly above, with chin down and eyes up, for a more flattering vantage point.6) Use the Rule of Thirds. Divide the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically and place focal points on the divides. When your subject is in the profile position (or sideways), leave space in front of them.

7) Adjust the focus. First, frame the subject in the center and hold the shutter half way down to focus the camera. Then, hold the shutter with the locked focus and reframe (i.e. move the camera) the shot to appease the Rule of Thirds. Push the shutter all the way down and take the picture.8) Try black and white. Sometimes that's just the ticket. Always shoot in color, then you can easily change your images to grayscale or sepia in Photoshop.9) Capture the moment. Shoot on location and take shots that tell a story. Capture a candid moment, try a slow shutter speed to blur motion, or look for old buildings.10) Learn your camera, learn your camera, learn your camera. Read the manual. And then read it again. It doesn't matter if it's the least expensive point and shoot or the most expensive DSLR. Control the camera instead of letting it control you.

Bonus) Shoot the details. When the moment originally happened, it was made up of a myriad of elements. Don't forget to capture those, too. Happy shooting!