Improve your overall scrapbook page layouts by taking better pictures.
Here you will find tips that will help you create better pictures no matter what your current level of skill is. Whether absolute beginner, advanced amateur or pro, there is always something new to learn.
In this day of digital photography, experimenting and perfecting your photographs is so much easier than in the film days. Have fun experimenting!
If you are just beginning, visit beginning photography tips and
digital camera tips
for additional information.
Since most scrapbook photos will include people, we will focus here on taking better pictures of people.
For more in depth information or to challenge yourself to greatly improve your photographs, consider investing your time in an online digital photography course or a local community college course.
In the meantime, here are several tips to get you started.
Read your manual. Start by skimming it to see what is available. Then take practice photos while trying out all of the features you think you may be interested in.
Once you become comfortable with your camera you will be able to focus on taking your pictures, not thinking about your settings. Your camera will soon become a familiar tool that allows you to create the images you desire.
Learn to hold your camera steady in all conditions. A tripod is a great help, but not much good when taking quick snapshots. Try holding your upper arms tightly against your body when holding your camera. Or lean on something while shooting. No matter which method you use, practice until you can hold your camera steady. I've seen too many photos that are blurry just because someone was caught up in the moment and didn't insure that the camera was held steady. This one tip alone will will carry you a long way toward taking better pictures.
Learn how the automatic focus system and auto exposure works on your camera. On most Point and Shoot cameras the focus and exposure settings will be set based on readings in the center of the image. This frequently doesn't create the most desirable images. On DSLRs and some Point and Shoots you can set different points in the frame for these auto systems to work.
When composing a photograph, start noticing more than just what is happening. Learn to see what the light is doing to your subject.
Pay attention to your lighting conditions. Strong mid-day light will create dark shadows in the eyes. If you need to shoot outside in bright daylight, look for areas with shade.
If possible, consider taking your outdoor people photographs the first hour after sunrise, the last hour before sunset or on overcast days.
Learn to use your aperture to control your depth of field which in turn will control how much of your image is in focus. Large apertures (low numbers) will create a sharp focus on your subject while blurring the background. Small apertures (higher numbers) will keep more of the photo in focus.Portraits will generally work better with a larger aperture and landscapes will work better with a smaller aperture.
Try shooting from different angles. I'm not talking the overdone intentionally crooked head shots. Try shooting from a higher or lower vantage point than your normal sitting or standing position. Get on the ground, stand on something, etc.
Follow general rules of composition such as the
Rule of Thirds
and color balance.
