Photography Basics

Want to take better photos?
     Lets face it we all love to capture those special moments life has to offer us, a new baby, a blushing bride, coworkers at the company holiday party.   Whatever the moment may be, making the most of your photograph will add so much more.   Design R Prints would like to offer some suggestions so that you can make the most of those moments and use them to the fullest for creating your personal photo card. 

-Shed some light on the subject: Paying close attention to your lighting can be a key to taking a great photographs.  Whenever possable use as much natural light as possible.  When taking a photo outside its better to shoot in the morning or afternoon hours to get soft light from the sun on the horizon.  If it is not possible to shoot at those hours try to keep the subject out of direct sunlight.  Shade from a tree or building or even a few clouds in the sky can lighten the harsh contrast an overhead sun can cause.

-Flash is not a four letter word: Understanding your cameras flash and how it can help you to take great photos, not create and eye sore.  While still shooting outside it is not uncommon to use your flach on a sunny day.  If your famera has a fill flash mode it can greatly improve your photographs.  If the subject has a bright well lit background behind them but there face is shaded, try using your cameras flash to brighten them up a little and balance them with the brightness of the background.
     When inside with no natural light available an no other option but to use your flash there are some important tips to keep in mind while shooting.  Know the range of your flash.  Taking a photo of a subject outside the flash range will turn out to dark.  For many cameras the average range of the flash is between  four to fifteen feet.  When it is possible have your subject stand away from any walls or objects so the flash does not cast an unsightly shadow behind your subject.  Most all cameras now have a red eye reduction mode.  Use this to your full advantage.

-Whats that behind you: Its a good idea to pay as much attention to whats behind your subject as it is to your subject itself.  Keep a look out for objects in the background that may appear to be growing out of your subjects head.  A tree branch, light pole, or even a car coming out of the ear of your subject.  Try to keep your backgrounds simple and not so cluttered.  A nice wall or clear horizon can often make for a simple background to bring more attention to your subject.

-Close enought for comfort: Make your subject the focus of  attention.  Move in close and fill your frame with your subject.  Most cameras can take a clear focused shot as close as three feet away.  If needed use your zoom as well to get in close to your subject.  Filling the photograph with your subject will help you to capture those emotions and reactions missed by being to far away.   

-Center of attention, not the picture: One of the most common mistakes when composing a shot is placing the subject right in the middle of the photograph.  By moving your subject off center you can create a more appealing and dramatic image.  Try imagining a tick-tack-toe grid when looking through your view finder.  Move your subject around to the different intersections of the grid and take the picture that looks the most appealing. This is called the rule of thirds.

-Focus with me now: Obviously the most important thing in your photograph should be in focus.  After all it is the "focus" of your attention.  Some cameras tend to focus on whats in the center of your picture so in order  to keep with the previously explained "rule of thirds" its best to lock the focus before taking the photograph.  Cameras with automatic focus will focus when the shutter buttons is depressed half way.  Please your subject in the center of your viewfinder, press the button half way and hold till your subject is focused.  Then move your subject to one of the tick-tack-toe intersections and press the shuter buttton the rest of the way down.

-Seeing things eye to eye:  Direct eye contact can be as important in a photograph as it is in real life.  Be sure to take your picture at eye level with the subject.  If its a small child or a person setting down, shooting at eye level will capture a more personal and inviting picture that draws you in.

-Now your in control:  Your taking the photograph, you call the shots.  If it will make for a better picture, have your subject(s) move or change poses.  Encurage them to express different emotions and looks.  Take charge of your photos and watch them improve every time.

-Not just a pretty face: Find the emotions that last a lifetime.  Not every great photos is of a smiling face.  It may be a simple smirk, a frown, a gaze off into the distence.