Five Steps and Techniques for Taking Better Photographs By Jeremy Larson Instructions: At the bottom, right corner of each page you will see this: Previous Home Next Use this to navigate the site and learn how to take better photographs! Click here Click here to begin or choose a topic below: Hold Camera Steady Know Your Subject Get Eyelevel Watch Lighting Neutralize Background References

Hold Camera Steady The first and probably most common problem with photographs is that they may appear blurry or out of focus. This happens when the camera is moved while taking a picture. Here are a couple of simple procedures for keeping your camera steady: 1.Always use two hands to hold your camera. (Figure 1) 2.Brace camera on your face, using the viewfinder (not the monitor), and keep your elbows down against your body for better support. (Figure 1) 3.Lean against a wall or tree for better support. 4.Rest your camera on a branch or railing. 5.Use a tripod. (Figure 2) 6.Use a monopod. (Figure 3) Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3

Hold Camera Steady Quiz In which photograph was the camera kept still? Click on the correct photograph. Which of the following are appropriate techniques for holding the camera still? Click all correct answers. Use a tripod Hold camera away from your face Lean against a tree for support Only use one hand

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Know Your Subject Although it may seem simple, it is important for photographers to know their subject. Many peoples photographs include a lot of stuff that they did not necessarily want to include. On the other hand, some peoples photographs are so focused on one subject that they miss out on its interesting surroundings. Here are a couple of simple procedures for making the subjects in your photos appear more dynamic. 1.Fill Space. Move in close to your subjects. A good rule is that if your subject is smaller than a car take a couple steps closer to it. You want to fill the entire picture with your subject. This will bring out more details, thus creating a more dynamic photo. 2.Rule of Thirds. If you want to capture a subject and its surrounding environment, move the subject away from the middle. Imagine splitting the viewing space into thirds vertically and horizontally (like a tic-tac-toe grid) and placing your subject along one (or two) of these imaginary lines. Fill Space Rule of Thirds

Know Your Subject Quiz Which of these two pictures better represents fill space? Click on the correct photograph. Which of these two pictures better represents the rule of thirds. Click on the correct photograph.

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Get Eyelevel When taking pictures most people take them at their own eyelevel. Thus, all their pictures are from the same perspective. To get a better, more interesting photograph take pictures at your subjects eyelevel. This means when taking pictures of smaller children or of pets you need to get down look them in the eye. The result is a much more inviting and interesting photo.

Get Eyelevel Quiz Which pictures better represents getting eyelevel? Click on the correct photographs.

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Watch Lighting Good lighting is one of the most important features in a photograph. The lighting affects everything in the picture. To dark and you can not see your subject. To bright and your subject looks like it is glowing or is washed out. Even an otherwise great photo can be ruined by shadows running across a subjects face. Here are some procedures for better lighting: 1.When taking a picture outside, move yourself or your subjects around to get the best lighting. 2.When taking pictures of landscapes, try taking them when the sun is lower in the sky. This produces more vibrant colors. 3.When taking pictures inside, use your flash. Remember that your flash is only good when your subject is roughly 3-10 feet away. 4.When taking pictures outside, use your flash to get rid of shadows and help illuminate peoples faces.

Watch Lighting Quiz Which photograph has better lighting? Click on the correct photograph. Which of the following are appropriate techniques for getting proper lighting? Click all correct answers. Only take landscape photos from 10AM- 3PM. Use flash indoors. Flash will work up to 30 ft. away Use flash outside to reduce face shadows.

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Neutralize Background The final step to taking better pictures is to neutralize the background. To often people try to add more to their pictures by adding a more elaborate background. Although elaborate backgrounds can be fun, they often take focus away from your subject and can be distracting to viewers. Always examine the area around your subject to make sure that your subject will be what attracts viewers eyes. It is also wise to make sure that it does not look like a pole, car, building, or mountain is growing out of your subject.

Neutralize Background Quiz Which pictures better represents neutralizing the background? Click on the correct photographs.

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The End Congratulations! You have finished the tutorial Five Steps and Techniques for Taking Better Photographs. By following all of the steps you have just learned you will be taking better and more interesting photographs in no time.

References Information Sources: Articlesbase. (March 7, 2009). How to Take Good Pictures-10 Tips for Better Pictures. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from Curtin, Dennis, P. (2007). Using Your Digital Camera: A Guide to Great Photographs. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from Kodak. (2009). Top 10 Tips for Great Pictures. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from Megapixel.net Staff. (Sept. 13, 2007). Photo Basics: Simple Rules for Taking Better Photos, Pt. 2. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from

References Images: Acerin. (May 5, 2005). Church on a hill. [Photograph]. Stock.xchng. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Kodak. (2009). Getting down on their level. [Photographs and Images]. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Kodak. (2009). Move in close. [Photographs]. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Kodak. (2009). Move it from the middle. [Photographs]. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Kodak. (2009). Use a plain background. [Photographs]. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from

References Images: Kozelj, Vesna. (May 27, 2008). Supporting the Camera: Holding with your Hands. [Image]. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Learners Dictionary. (2009). Tripod. [Image]. Merriam-Webster, Inc. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Manfrotto. (2009). 560B Video Fluid Monopod. [Image]. Barbizon Lighting Company. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from _SubtopicOrder=3 _SubtopicOrder=3 Scyza. (Aug 7, 2007). Negative. [Photograph]. Stock.xchng. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from Scyza. (Aug 21, 2007). Polaroid. [Photograph]. Stock.xchng. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from

References Images: Thesaint. (March 11, 2004). Sun Burst. [Photograph]. Stock.xchng. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from The Wilds. ( ). Bactrian Camel. [Photograph]. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from TouTouke. (July 6, 2006). Bridge. [Photograph]. Stock.xchng. Retrieved July 23, 2009, from * All other photographs are from Jeremy Larson ’ s personal collection