Tips for Taking Better Photos
We organize millions of photos every year, and we’re seeing an alarming trend! People have access to better cameras and take more photos than ever, but the overall quality of photos we see is going downhill. Of course we’re not talking about your photos, but the trend is undeniable.
A photo doesn’t have to be awesome to be a great memory, but everyone wants to take better photos. As a staff, we have a combined 50+ years of photography experience and these are our top tips to help you take more memorable photos.
Level the Horizon.
One of the most common mistakes we see is not holding the camera level when you shoot. The next time you shoot, especially landscapes and shots with the horizon in view, hold your camera steady and level so the horizon is level and pleasing to the eye.
Make Sure There’s a Subject
I know this tip sounds silly, but you haven’t seen the photos we’ve seen. We regularly see the backs of heads, groups of people not looking at the camera, no obvious action, and no apparent emotion. In their rush to capture photos, many people don’t really have a plan or clear subject in their photos. Don’t be afraid to assert yourself, direct the scene a bit, and make sure there’s a clear subject.
Make Sure the Subject Isn’t in the Center
It’s natural to think that if the subject is the most important element in a photo then it should be in the center. That’s logical, but doesn’t always make for a great photo. Instead, photographers use the rule of thirds to compose photos where the subject of an image is 1/3 to the left, right, top, or bottom. This makes the photo much more dynamic, as you can see in the example below.
Pay Attention to the Light
Most people pay attention to their subject, but a photograph is nothing without good light. A common mistake we see in family photos is backlight photos of people where the sun in outdoor shots or a window in indoor shots is behind the subject, without allowing for light on the front, which makes faces (the important part) dark and shadowy.
Instead, position yourself so that the primary light is in front of or to the side of your subject. There’s a time and place for silhouettes like the examples below, but these should be exceptions instead of the standard.
Don’t Cut Off Feet, Hands, or Heads
God gave us hands and feet, but you wouldn’t know it from many of the family photos we see! When you compose photos of people, make sure you capture the entire person, including their feet, hands, and head. If you don’t include their feet or hands, do it on purpose and crop in tightly for a head and shoulders shot instead of cutting off half their hands.
Wide and Tight.
Everybody takes photos, but many of us feel uninspired when it comes to “seeing” creative shots. An easy way to add variety into your photos is to switch between wide (zoomed out) and tight (zoomed in) of the same subject and scene. A wide shot can include helpful context and a tight shot can capture more connection and intimacy.
Get Closer
Many family photos we see have the subject relatively small in the frame. Instead, try getting closer with your feet or your lens (but not digital zoom which can result in grainy images) so that your subject fills more of the frame.
Portrait and Landscape.
Another easy way to add creative variety to your shots is to shoot the same scene in portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) orientation. Combine this technique with wide and tight shots, the rule of thirds, and level horizons and most people will see significant improvement in their photos.
Avoid Distracting Backgrounds.
A keen sense of observation is helpful to taking better photos. The next time you take a photo of people, try to avoid distracting backgrounds and items that appear to sprout out of their heads. For example, avoid trees, light poles, and utility poles that are distracting fro the subject.
Move your feet.
Sometimes all it takes to turn a drab photo into a stunning photo is to move your feet. Explore the scene and find new perspectives by getting high or low, finding better light, avoiding distracting backgrounds, or moving to another side of your subject.
Don’t Take Too Many.
The trend is clear, we’re all taking more photos than ever. To be specific, our typical client takes ten times as many photos per year than they did ten years ago. We even have families shooting 20,000-30,000 photos a year, and unless they’re professional photographers they’re having a hard time keeping up with their Family Photo Archive. We encourage everybody to slow down, compose better, and shoot less.
Capture High Resolution.
People frequently bring us photos they want to use in photo books and wall art, but the resolution is way too low. If you’re going to take better photos, let’s also start with better resolution. Whether you’re using a phone or a camera, make sure you’re capturing the maximum resolution available on your device.
Have Fun.
I hope these tips help!
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