5 Tips for Better Photos

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” – Ansel Adams

In a previous blog post, A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words, we talked about stock photos and how to create your own stock photo library. If you missed that post be sure to go back and read it.

This week we are going to look at 5 simple tips to help you take, or as world famous photographer Ansel Adams says, make better photos. All these tips are useful whether you are using your phone to take photos or a traditional camera.

Tip #1

Resist the Zoom! Ideally you should avoid using zoom, at least on your phone. Instead move in as close as you can to your subject. You will not only be closer to what you are trying to photograph, but your photos will be much sharper. In most instances the zoom feature will lead to poorer quality blurred photos.

The photos below were taken with my iPhone. The blue and yellow flowers on the left are just not that great. I was standing while using the zoom feature. The blue and yellow flowers on the right are much sharper. If you look close you can even see drops of water on the yellow flowers in the photo on the far right. To take those photos, I got in as close as I could with my iPhone and I used the portrait feature.

Certainly if you have a traditional camera with a zoom lens, you will have better luck, but even with a zoom lens, especially indoors, you can only push it so far.

Tip #2

Rule of Thirds! Imagine a 3x3 grid over what you are trying to photograph. Of course these days you don't need to imagine, most cell phones default to that grid (see photo to the right.)

Instead of plunking your subject smack in the middle of the grid, try placing the subject at one of the intersections, i.e. where the grid lines cross. This is a particularly good rule if you are photographing people or animals since it adds balance and visual interest.

As you can see in the photo below, Tallulah is off to the side, allowing for a better view of the garden and the statue of Mary.

Tip #3

Move In Closer! I mentioned in Tip #1 that you should move closer to your subject, if you can, instead of using the zoom feature. Zoom aside, getting closer to your subject, whether it's a kid, a dog or a flower, is almost always a good idea - well unless it's a wild animal or a stranger!!😉 And if you think you are close enough move in just a bit more.

Tip #4

Vertical & Horizontal! Most people forget that you can hold your camera vertically as well as horizontally. Next time you take a photo, before you click, try the 2 different angles so see which looks better. The photos to the right are nothing special but they help make the point. Horizontally I am able to capture more of the room, but the top of the dresser is cut off. Vertically - not much of the bed but you have the entire dresser. Imagine what happens when you are photographing people!

Tip #5

Get Candid! Remember not every photo has to be posed! Have your camera at the ready - something that is much easier these days thanks to cell phones. And don't think too long about it or the moment will be gone - I can't tell you how many good photos I've missed because I was trying to decide whether to take it.

Genuine expressions during prayer or kids having a good time at the parish picnic can often tell a much more powerful and interesting story.

The photo on the right is my niece looking at this beautiful painting of a young girl. I took it because it reminded me of Lucy when she was a little girl. It worked because she did not know I was taking it so couldn't decide to make a funny face or something.

The photo on the far right was taken a few years ago at Canada's national March for Life. I just loved how this little boy was being very independent (his family and friends are in that group ahead of him). I had offered to carry his sign earlier but he was having none of it. 😎

Bonus Tip

Many Shots! Back in the day of film you had to carefully decide how many photos of the same subject you were willing to take. Most of the time you took one photo and hoped for the best. However, in this era of digital photography you can take as many as you need, then go back and find the one that is just right.

At the end of the day, you get to be a better photographer by practicing. Keep the tips above in mind and then get shooting!

See ya soon! 👋

P. S. On Tuesday I leave for Alberta to spend a week exploring the Canadian Rockies. I'm going to be sure to practice incorporating the above tips while I take my 100s of photos. Follow me on Facebook to see the results!