Ok, we’ve all suffered the dreaded “red-eye photo” syndrome. Or the “accidentally left out half of someone’s head in the photo” syndrome.
But even after we’ve moved beyond mistakes like that, our photos can still seem to be missing a certain something that moves our friends and family from saying, ‘Oh, that’s a nice one, dear’ to saying, “Wow! Fantastic shot! How did you do that?”
That’s where these five digital photography tips come in. Below we’ll help you move from beginner to master of digital photography whether you’re using your cellphone or a point-and-shoot camera to snap shots.
Compose Carefully
One of the most basic digital photography tips is to pay attention to what’s in the frame of the viewfinder. Fill the frame. Nothing but blue sky, for instance, behind a single subject throws off the proportions of the photo and decreases interest. Add a vine clinging to a trellis in the foreground, though, and suddenly that same subject catches the eye.
Try positioning your subject off to the side, rather than in the center of the photograph. You can also turn the camera sideways to see if a vertical photo might have more impact than a horizontal shot of the same subject.
Get Close-Up
Digital photography tips aren’t just about taking better snapshots of the usual things, but also finding the unusual. Your digital camera has a “macro mode” – think of it as a super magnifying glass. In macro mode, for example, flower petals take on new textures that can turn a floral portrait from ‘yawn’ to ‘cool!’
Buy a Tripod
Digital cameras are prone to blurry photographs if your hands shake even a little bit. This is particularly important when shooting close-ups. You don’t need to lug around a 50-pound tripod, though. Several companies manufacture light, portable, inexpensive versions. Digital photography tips like this can save you hours of frustration and preserve otherwise perfect shots.
Go Crazy
Stand on your head, and take a shot from the top of a teeter-totter! Of all the digital photography tips, this one is most likely to pay off in unexpected ways. You’ll truly get once-in-a-lifetime shots by shooting outside the box.
Take a Class
Are you still hungry for digital photography tips? There’s nothing like practice to improve your photography – except practice plus experience gained by learning from a pro. You can find photography classes online, at your local recreation centers, and community colleges.
