6 Tips for Taking Better Photos
We will focus on things related to photos such as file sizes, different formats, storage solutions, and sharing. First, let’s talk about some simple ways to take better photos.
1. Be There
You can’t get the best photos if you don’t wake up early or don’t have your camera. Rule number one for any photographer is to show up with your camera and start taking photos. If you are spending too much time fiddling with the settings to get the best shot, you might miss it altogether. Photographers refer to this as “F8 and be there!”
2. Get Close
You won’t get the best photo if you are too shy to get close to your subject. Be brave! Want to take a picture of a spice stand while traveling in Istanbul? Don’t snap a cryptic shot from far away. Engage the shop owner and ask if you can take a picture of him with the spices. The photo will be 100 times better.
3. People Make Memories
Landscape and nature shots are great. Including people will make them better. The photos that create real memories are the ones with people in them. Plus having a person adds scale and foreground to your shot which adds visual interest. Go ahead and take your landscape photo, but take another shot that captures your friends or family.
4. The Golden Hour
Want to know why your picture of that famous monument doesn’t look as good as the picture in the guidebook? There is a good chance the photo was taken during the hour after sunrise or the hour before sunset when the sun is just over the horizon. During these times the sun creates a more direct light source and adds a redder hue or warmth to the photo. A more professional shot can just mean getting up early to beat the crowds and catch the best light!
5. Change Your Perspective
Want to take a photo of a beautiful fountain? Most people will stand near the fountain and bring the camera up to their eye and take the photo at their height, around 5’2”-6'2”. Many people have taken this same exact photo. To make yours more interesting, change your perspective. Try kneeling down and pointing your camera up at the fountain to make it look more grand, or getting up on a nearby bench or balcony to ground the fountain in its surroundings. You will be amazed at how much more interesting your photos look.
6. Don't Just Take One
A hidden secret for many professional photographers is that they aren't taking better photos than you, they're just taking more photos and picking the best one. Digital photography makes it easy to snap off a bunch of shots of your subject. A few minutes deleting photos is worth that one amazing shot.