Jenny
Posts: 37
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« on: January 17, 2008, 02:32:50 am » |
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We've all heard the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words. If that is true for any photograph, imagine what a great picture is worth?
Taking a good picture is more than just pointing the camera. Several factors should be considered to ensure that your pictures are eye-pleasing. Lighting, subjects, focus and film selection all play an important part in the quality of your photographs.
Lighting
Consider the light before taking any photo. Pictures that are too light are generally the result of excessive direct light. Generally, you should avoid bright light such as direct sunlight. If you are taking a picture of people in direct sunlight, the picture will look unnatural due to your subject's squinting eyes. You may also have blurry images resulting from the sun's reflection. When photographing people outdoors, observe whether there is a shadow over their faces, if so, use a fill-in flash to even out the lighting.
When taking indoor pictures, make sure there is enough light. Dark pictures or black images in the photo are the result of inadequate light. Utilize the flash on your camera for the majority of indoor photos. The flash will even out the light to give you a proper photo with bright even color. Be careful not to photograph subjects next to bright lights or lamps, this will cause uneven lighting and may cause white spots or blurred images.
Also, when taking indoor photos, be careful of mirrors that will reflect the camera's flash and cause white spots or blurred images on your pictures.
Subjects and Focus
Before snapping your picture, decide who and what will be the focus of the photo. Zoom in or get close enough to your subject to focus on the important image. Too much background or foreground, or basically too much information, can ruin an otherwise good picture.
When photographing people, try a variety of techniques to see what works best. Not all photos need to have the subject centered in the picture. If a child is the focus of your picture, get down on his level for the best shot. Pictures at the subject's eye level look better that shots looking up or down at them.
Scenery pictures can be almost as beautiful as the live image if taken correctly. Try placing an object in the foreground to show depth. For example, if you are taking a picture of the mountains, place the camera so that the branches or the trunk of a tree are seen in the foreground of your lens. Your developed picture will show depth, just as when you were viewing the live scenery, instead of looking like a flat image.
35 MM Film - What do all those numbers on the film mean? Which one do I choose? Here is a simple guide that helps you choose the right film for your needs.
100 Film - Choose this film for use in bright sun or bright light. It's also good for taking close-up pictures and still-life pictures.
200 Film - This is a good all-purpose film. If you are unsure which film to select, this is always a good choice. It works well in a variety of indoor or outdoor situations and is suitable for slow to moderate action shots.
400 Film- Perfect for flash photography and outdoor shots in bright light. Performs in a variety of lighting situations, it is suitable for sports and action photos.
800 Film - Works well for pictures in most light situations and action conditions. Kodak claims that it is the best film for all photography needs.
A few other tips to consider for professional looking photos:
Include enough background to identify where the photos were taken. Photos taken at an amusement park will be much more interesting if you include shots of the roller coasters and attractions in the background.
Turn your camera in different position to get several angles of the same scene.
Don't take all posed pictures. Photos of people in action, when they are expecting to be photographed makes some of the best shots.
Take pictures on a regular basis, don't just bring the camera out on special occasions. It the years to come, you will cherish pictures of daily events just as much as the special ones!
Be careful not to put your thumb or the camera strap in the way of the lense.
Take your time to get the perfect shot. Hold the camera steady and push the button firmly. If the camera moves or is unsteady, your photos will turn out blurry.
Using these tips as well as ones you discover through your own trial and error, will help improve the outcome of all of your photos.
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