1. Twenty Tips to Terrific Pics Janice Hickman Southwest High School TCEA 2009

2. Tip 1 Read your manual I know it’s embarrassing to admit you need help, but read it anyway

3. Tip 2 Move in Closer Fill the frame with your subject Shoot at eye level to create intimacy

5. Which is better? Lots of lilies... or just one?

8. Rochelle hugs my Mom

9. Kat hugs a basketball (by the Professional)

10. Kat hugs a basketball (by Me)

11. Take parts of the whole, too.

12. Tip 3 Use the Rule of Thirds to Compose or Crop Images— think Tic-Tac-Toe...

13. Put the important pieces of the photo where the lines intersect— not in the center box!

15. Eyes on the top line, faces at the intersections

17. Tip 4 Place your Subject Off-Center and Something Interesting in the Background

21. Tip 5 Use the Optical Zoom; Turn off the Digital Zoom

22. Tip 6 Take More Shots— it’s the best feature of your camera !

23. Tip 7 Half-push the Shutter Button to pre-focus the camera

25. Tip 8 Hold It Steady—use a tripod, monopod, table, friend, don’t breathe when you push the shutter button.

26. Tip 9 Take Photos from Unusual Angles

30. Tip 10 Get Down to Kid Level

31. Lucy Kate

32. Graham

33. Michael and the cats

34. Tip 11 Use the Continuous Shooting Mode to capture action—with children, pets, and sports

36. Tip 12 Use the Flash Outdoors to eliminate shadows

39. Tip 13 Anticipate Predictable Moments; “Zone focus” on where the action will occur or “Follow focus” on the subject and pan the camera.

42. Tip 14 Look for the Light; use available light to photograph babies and the elderly; early morning or late afternoon light is best.

50. Tip 15 Look for Lines and use them to frame your photos

53. Sometimes you want lines... sometimes you don’t...

54. Tip 16 Look for Reflections

58. Tip 17 Use Red Eye Reduction

61. And get on Kid Level And move in closer!

62. Tip 18 Learn the Predefined Modes in addition to Automatic Landscape Portrait Macro Night

63. Landscape: everything is in focus

64. Portrait: blurs the background

67. Macro: super close up

68. Night: uses available light; hold still!

69. Tip 19 Tell a Story—include everyday elements, signs, landmarks...

76. Tip 20 Always Be Prepared with extra batteries and memory cards