How to Take Better Pictures
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| With today's automatic cameras almost anyone can produce a sharp, well-exposed image. What will set you apart from other photographers is how well you compose your images. The tips below will help you create eye-catching compositions—and transform your photos from mere snapshots into works of art.
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| Follow the Rule of Thirds |
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Divide the image into three sections
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Placing your subject off-center creates an interesting, dynamic image. Imagine
your photograph divided into three horizontal and vertical sections.
To compose a well-balanced, off-center shot, place your subject near the intersections of the
imaginary grid lines. This is called the rule of thirds.
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Use the rule of thirds to create
dynamic portraits
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Emphasize a dramatic sky by placing
the horizon along the lower grid line
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With a moving subject, use the rule of thirds to leave space for the subject to travel into
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Busy shots feel more orderly when you apply the rule of thirds.
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| Get Close |
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Your subject is interesting, so get close to it. Don't let your pictures suffer from the "Grandma at the Grand Canyon" syndrome, with a tiny subject and lots of boring, irrelevant space.
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Get close to your subject
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| Try Unusual Angles |
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Be bold! Try turning your camera
to 45 degrees before snapping a picture. Or instead of snapping it from eye level,
kneel down or lie on the ground to get a more interesting shot.
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Take a picture from an unusual angle
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| Frame Your Subject |
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Try framing your picture with foreground objects to add depth to the image.
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Frame your subject in the scene
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| Pay Attention to Lines |
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Curves, straight lines, and diagonals add energy and movement to your compositions.
Let roads and rivers draw the viewer into the image or lead the viewer's eye
in a specific direction. Watch for natural geometric patterns and place yourself at an interesting angle to them.
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Let roads and rivers lead the viewer into the picture
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Look for patterns of lines
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Diagonals are dynamic, and curves are sensual
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Don't let lines unintentionally throw your photo off balance. When you shoot the horizon or a building, keep the straight lines level—unless you're shooting at a dramatic, intentional angle. |
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Keep the horizon level
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| Avoid Cluttered Backgrounds |
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Don't let a cluttered background overwhelm or obscure your subject. Move around, or lie down, to get a clear shot at your subject without the distractions.
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A cluttered background can obscure your main subject
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Reposition your subject or yourself
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| Avoid Mergers |
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As you position yourself to avoid a cluttered background, also look out for trees, lamp posts, and other background objects which might merge with your subject in unfortunate ways.
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Don't let a tree grow out of your subject's head
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Reposition your subject or yourself to avoid mergers
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| Look for Interesting Reflections and Shadows |
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Reflections and shadows lend a touch of artistry to an otherwise plain picture. They can provide meaningful contrasts (such as an old building reflected in a modern high rise) or depth (such as the shadow of trees along a wooded path).
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Shadows and reflections add depth and artistry
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