by Susannah Singer
With the price of digital photography within the grasp of nearly everyone, taking scores of pictures of nearly everything has become a fad. If you don't like one, you have a dozen others to choose from. Gone are the days when pictures were well planned because, good or bad, each one cost you money. Unfortunately, gone also are the days when amateurs studied how to take a good picture.
In spite of the quantity, many are disappointed to find that not one picture in the scores is really good. They are merely reminders, not keepsakes. If you lack skill in picture taking, then listen to these ten rules from Kodak's website for taking a good picture. Then practice them until they become second nature before you want to photograph something really important again.
Principle number one: get down to the subject's level. Unless you desire a special effect, you will want to bend over or kneel down so that you capture the person's face in a personal way. Don't worry about being self-conscious about your method. The picture will last a lot longer than your damaged pride.
Number two is, notice the background. A cluttered background will draw attention away from the subject. Also, a background could ruin an otherwise good picture. A lampshade in the wrong place may give the appearance of a goofy hat! Like a picture frame, be sure the background draws attention to the subject.
Rule number three: use a flash, even when you're outdoors. Today's cameras will measure the amount of light on the subject and then will determine if a flash is needed. If the subject is close, force the camera to use the flash anyway. This will eliminate shadows on a face in the sun, and, in the shade, it will brighten the face.
Rule number four: move in close. Friends rarely want to see whole bodies; they want to see faces. If you can, move in as close as possible physically. Fill the picture with your subject. If you must use the zoom lens, remember that the flash still must light the entire area, not just what you see.
Principle number five: Consider turning your camera ninety degrees to capture some scenes. Since the camera takes a rectangular picture, a tall subject may well be better recorded sideways and then rotated in the camera, computer, or printer afterwards. A large family gathering should be captured horizontally, but a small family might possibly be better vertically.
Principle number six: Check your focus. At times the camera will focus on the distant objects instead of the subject of your picture, especially when the subject is off-center. To avoid this, hold the shutter button down half way as you point the camera directly at your subject. This will lock the focus. Then move the camera over to the position you wanted and take the picture. The camera is amazingly smart, but it doesn't always guess correctly what you have in mind.
Rule number seven: Don't always try to center your subject. Sometimes an added warmth is accomplished by moving the subject off center. For example, you want to include a picture of your house in a Christmas card. If centered, it just says, "This is where we live." If, on the other land, the picture is taken from the driveway, it may be inviting people to come visit. Be sure to follow the focus rule as described above when doing this.
The eighth rule is, know the parameters of your flash. Most digital cameras have built in flashes with a range of ten feet or less. Beyond that, the picture will be dark and/or grainy. And remember the zoom rule- the picture may appear close when actually the subject is beyond the range of the flash.
The ninth rule is, check your light. The long shadows of the morning and evening are best for scenic shots. Avoid taking pictures of people in direct sunlight, but if you must, remember to use your flash.
Principle number ten: be a picture director. Arrange the subjects, move to a different perspective, add some props. Don't just take a shot; plan a shot and do it the way you want. Make your picture more than just a record of the event. Make those seeing it feel the event as well.
If your occasion is too important to be left to amateurs, consider hiring Del Haven Studio - one of the best Virginia Beach photographers available. Visit their website for slideshows of their work.
Article Source: ArticlesNetwork.com
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