Taking Great Pictures

Top Ten Look your subject in the eye Use a plain background Use flash outdoors Move in close Move it from the middle Lock the focus Know your flash’s range Watch the light Take some vertical pictures Be a picture director

Look Your Subject In The Eye Hold camera at eye level Stoop to children’s level Subject doesn’t always need to stare at the camera Too highBetter

Use a Plain Background Study the surrounding area Make sure no objects interfere with the subject No poles growing from the head of your subject No cars dangling from ears (etc) Distracting background Better

Use Flash Outdoors Bright sun can create deep facial shadows Use Flash to eliminate shadows and to lighten face Use flash on cloudy days Take a picture without the flash to take advantage of soft light Subject is dark After

Move In Close Fill the picture area with the subject Don’t get too close 3 feet or 1 step away Good Better Too close

Move it From the Middle Middle is not the best Moving subject from middle brings picture to life Use tick-tack-toe method to find optimal view Place subject at one of the intersections Boring Better

Lock the Focus If subject is not in the center, lock the focus Most cameras focus in the center Subject not in focus, or locked Better

Know Your Flash’s Range Don’t go beyond maximum flash range Average range is less than 15 feet or 5 steps away Without flash or more than flash range With flash or within flash range

Watch the Light Light is the second most important detail Bright sun could be bad Soft light could be good Landscapes are best in the morning or late in the day Good Also good

Take Some Vertical Pictures Try vertical pictures Many things look better vertically Good Better

Be a Picture Director Take charge Pick the location Add props Sunglasses, clothes,etc Arrange people or the subject if possible Boring Better