5 Tips for Better Photos
Good photos can make an enormous difference in parish communications. They bring your bulletin, website and social media to life—and the good news is you don't need an expensive camera to take them.
“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.”
— Ansel Adams
Whether you're using your phone or a traditional camera, a few simple techniques can dramatically improve your photos. Here are five of my favourites.
Tip #1 – Resist the Zoom!
When you're taking a photo with your phone, don't automatically zoom in on something that's far away. Whenever you can, move closer to your subject instead.
Phone cameras have improved enormously, and some now have excellent zoom capabilities. But zooming in too far can still leave you with a photo that's grainy, blurry or lacking in detail.
The flower photos below were taken with my iPhone. For the first photos, I was standing and using the zoom. For the others, I got in as close as I could. The difference is easy to see—you can even see the drops of water on the yellow flowers.
Of course, use some common sense. Moving closer is a great idea when you're photographing flowers, people or the parish picnic. Perhaps not so much with a bear. 😉
Tip #2 – Use the Rule of Thirds
Imagine a 3x3 grid over your photo. You don't even have to imagine it—most phone cameras allow you to turn on grid lines right in the camera settings.
Instead of automatically putting your subject smack in the middle, try placing it near one of the points where the grid lines cross. This simple technique can make a photo feel more balanced and interesting.
Look at the photo of Tallulah in the garden. By placing her off to the side, I was also able to include more of the garden and the statue of Mary. The surroundings become part of the story rather than simply background.
Don't worry about following the rule perfectly every time. Think of it as another option when you're deciding how to frame a shot.
Tip #3 – Watch the Background
Before you take the photo, look beyond your subject.
That sounds obvious, but it's surprisingly easy to concentrate so much on the person you're photographing that you don't notice what's behind them until later. A garbage can, stack of chairs, open door or fire extinguisher can quickly become the most noticeable thing in the photo. (The boy and his dog are so sweet - too bad that giant garage is so prominent in the background. 😜)
And then there is the classic: a plant, candle or other object that appears to be growing directly out of someone's head! (My poor niece has a whole tree growing out of hers. 🤣)
Often the solution is as simple as taking a step to the left or right, asking your subject to move slightly or changing the angle of the camera.
If your phone has a portrait mode, try that too. Portrait mode can soften or blur the background, helping your subject stand out. Take one photo in regular photo mode and another in portrait mode and see which you prefer. Just remember that portrait mode can't make an ugly or distracting background disappear completely—so look behind your subject first!
Tip #4 – Shoot Vertical AND Horizontal
Most of us naturally hold our phones one way or the other when we take pictures. Get into the habit of trying both.
This is particularly useful when you're taking photos for parish communications because you may want to use the same photo in different places. A horizontal image might work beautifully across the top of your website, while the vertical version could be better for social media or a parish poster.
It only takes a few extra seconds, and you'll be glad to have the choice when you sit down to create something.
Tip #5 – Get Candid!
Remember, not every photo has to be posed.
In fact, candid photos can often tell a much better story. Genuine expressions during prayer, people chatting after Mass, children having fun at the parish picnic or volunteers hard at work can help someone see what parish life actually looks like.
The photo on the left of my niece looking at the painting worked because she didn't know I was taking it. Had I asked her to pose, I probably would have gotten her making a face!
The photo on the right was taken at Canada's National March for Life. I loved the sight of this little boy determinedly carrying his own sign while his family and friends walked ahead of him. It was a little moment that would have disappeared if I had stopped to think too long about whether I should take the photo.
Have your camera ready and pay attention to what's happening around you. If you see a moment, take the photo. Don't spend too much time wondering whether it's worth taking—the moment may be gone by the time you decide.
With candid photography, sometimes the best advice really is: don't think too much. Just shoot.
Bonus Tip – Take Lots of Photos
Back in the days of film, every click cost money. You took one or two photos and hoped for the best.
Those days are long gone. You're shooting digital. Taking another photo costs you nothing, and it's easy to delete the ones you don't want.
So take five. Take ten. Try a different angle. Move closer. Step back. Shoot vertically and horizontally. Leave a little extra room around your subject.
People blink. Someone turns away. A child suddenly makes a face. If you've taken several shots, chances are one of them will be just right.
The more photos you take, the more likely you are to get a really good one. The more you practice, the better your photography will become. You don't need professional equipment or years of photography experience to take better photos for your parish.
Pay attention. Try a few different things. And keep taking pictures.
