TAKING GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS

1 . Look your subject in the eye: Having the person’s eyes looking toward the camera will allow others to feel more connected. Hold the camera at the person’s eye level. For children, stoop down to their eye level. Your subject doesn’t always have to look into the camera – just being at their level will make a better picture.

2 . Use a plain background: A plain background makes the person you are photographing stand out. As you look at your subject on the viewfinder, think about the background. You don’t want any poles or trees to look like they are growing out of their head.

3 . Move in close: Take a step or two closer before taking the picture and zoom in on your subject. Fill the picture area with the subject you are photographing. But don’t get too close or your pictures will be blurry.

4 . Move it from the middle: Having a person stand in the middle is not always best. Sometimes you can make it more interesting by having the subject off-centre. Make sure your subject is in focus by first focusing on them and then (while still holding the shutter half-down to keep that focus) moving the camera to get your off-center composition.

5 . Shading: You don’t want a person half in the sun and half in the shade. Make sure the entire body is either in the shade or the sun.

6 . Fill the full frame: If you are taking a picture of somebody, don’t have half the picture showing sky above the subject’s head. Try to have the head come close to the top of the picture, without chopping off any of the head. Also, try to avoid chopping off the feet, unless you are trying to take a close-up.

7 . Be a director: Tell people where to stand or what to do to make a better or more interesting picture, or to tell the story you want the viewer to know. Make them feel comfortable and have them smile!