How to Take Professional Pictures

Get to know different aspects of photography Get proper equipment Learn everything you can about your camera – KNOW your camera Follow best practices

What makes a good photo? Free of blur/image noise Should catch viewer’s eye Adding something different from usually adds the photographers personal touch to the photograph

What you don’t see clearly, nor does the camera – get up close Don’t let a photo look as if it has been taken at the spur of the moment or by mistake

Getting to take the photo Keep the camera steady: If possible get a tripod Or Rest your elbows on something stable or hold them tight to your body to stay still Or Use the camera timer to avoid camera movement when pressing the shutter button

You can… check whether your camera has image stabilisation – yet it does not always help (depends on your style)… especially for video.

Shooting Moving Subjects If the object is moving, you have to anticipate the action to avoid motion blur Need to know in your mind how the shot will look like before you take it Shooting people walking - fast shutter speed ex. 1/250

Moving objects Give them space If the subject is moving don’t put the subject in the middle but leave extra space in front – see where it’s going

Enough Light? Or too much? F-stop - controls 1. how much light enters your lens 2. depth of field (how clear is background) A portrait needs a small F-Stop (f/1) = large aperture to get clear object, background not in focus A group need a higher F-Stop (f/32) = small aperture to get everything in focus

Composition Anyone can take a photo but not all photos are spectacular Techniques: 1. Different angles 2. No distractions in background 3. Create contrast 4. Fill your frame 5. Frame your subject 6. Rule of thirds

Different angles Taking pictures from different angles can alter a photographs perspective considerably.

Background Does anything in the background stand out? Attract attention from subject? Do a background check - background can either make or break the overall result of a photograph.

A background distraction can take all the “flavour” from the photograph.

move your subject into a more appropriate position wait for the background to become more suitable (example: people getting out of the way) change your position and shoot from an alternative angle fill your frame with the subject, eliminating the background completely Background not helpful?

Impossible? Consider photo editing software to touch up those photos and bring life back to your main point focal point

Colour contrast opposite colours compliment each other, resulting in a high- contrast photo. using colours close to each other on the colour wheel will create a low- contrast photo. Contrast enhances the image

Less is more. Too many colours decrease the level of contrast. The viewer’s attention will tend to shift away from your focal points when other colours are present.

Ratio Impact a little of one contrasting colour will help your focal point stand out equal amounts of both contrasting colours lose effect

Fill Your Frame… with your point of interest - enhance your photo and eliminate all background clutter ask yourself what you’re trying to illustrate - is it necessary to include the whole subject? make sure what you’re filling your frame with has purpose, otherwise it’s just a distraction.

Frame your subject Framing is using natural or man-made objects within the photo itself as a frame enhances the overall result of a photo draws attention to the subject

“Leading Lines” - can be used to lead the eye to the point of interest and prevent the eye from wandering. Lines can put emphasis on distance or illustrate a relationship to foreground and background elements. Keep in mind that using lines incorrectly can have the opposite effect and lead the eye away from the point of interest. If a line begins at the centre or edge of your photo it can split the photo in half Lines …

vertical lines horizontal lines

Diagonal lines: suggest action, stimulation and depth. help draw the eye through the photo. best to present them from the bottom left of the photo to the top right (eyes naturally scan from left to right. A leading line from the corner has a more impressive outcome and stronger composition. But try positioning your diagonal lines to begin slightly above or below the corner of the photo or photo will look split.

Curved Lines or S Curves Curved lines or S curves suggest sensuality, elegance and a serene sense of balance. S curves don’t necessarily need to be S-shaped; any form of a winding line can be used. Some examples include rivers, streams, paths and even the human body.

Converging lines add a certain flow or depth to your photograph. add a sense of distance or scale. Some examples of converging lines are power lines, stairways and the infamous railroad tracks. Our eyes are naturally drawn to where intersecting lines connect. To create a stronger impact and visual interest, it’s best to position your subject near converging lines. However, sometimes converging lines are point of interest in itself and there is no need for additional subjects.

Although the use of lines is a very effective means of composition, it isn’t necessarily a technique that will come easily to a beginner. As with any form of composition, you’ll have greater success when you couple your knowledge with a creative eye and lots of practise.

Rule of Thirds Achieve the best results producing a more aesthetically pleasing photo. Place your subject(s) or areas of interest along or near the intersecting parts of the grid.

Bad and good example

Master your photography skills by practising! Above all, take loads of pictures and practise, practise, practise!

Criteria for YRE photo entries must: Be taken and taken in high resolution Be close up shots using flash outside to minimise glare Be in focus and ideally not framed Be action based and well angled (interesting) – be at eye level, get on the floor, be creative and create room for movement Only include a child or children if permissions are given Accompany with a short description (the 5 W’s) Shared

The photo should be of good quality. A short text (150 words max.) must explain the link between the photo and sustainable development. Can be just one photo or a series/story of up to 12 pictures