subject: The 6 Most Important Hints For Capturing Great Photographs [print this page] Most of us fall a little bit short when it comes to taking pictures that warrant displaying in picture frames on our desks at work. The newest generation digital cameras have come a long way, however, making it quite possible for nearly everyone to capture excellent pictures. In fact, most digital cameras in use today are point-and-shoot styles that do all the hard things for you, from face recognition to identifying on their own if a flash is necessary. However, becoming an even better photographer is doable when you have a bit of experience with your camera to speak of, and a touch of know-how. Get hold of your digital camera and have a peek at the following hints which will be sure to improve your photos.
Capture more engaging photos by making eye contact with the subject. Hold your camera at the subject's eye level and you are sure to notice that you obtain a much more unique shot. When shooting pictures of kids or household pets, get down to their level. This looks much more pleasant than photographs that are looking down on the primary focus of the picture. What's more, pictures taken at eye level tend to be more personable and inviting, and they draw in their audience.
Place the emphasis on your subject by avoiding a distracting background. A flagpole which seems to spear your subject through their head will distract from the real subject of the picture. Ensure that you take into account the things surrounding the subject when taking pictures. A simple or undecorated setting with virtually no distracting activity is the most ideal.
Figure out when you should utilize the camera's flash. A great deal of sunlight often creates dramatic shadows on the subject's face. You can get rid of these shadows by making use of the flash on your camera, even times when there is a lot of light outside. This is especially true when the day is very sunny. If you have to choose between full flash and fill flash, the standard rule is to make use of the fill flash when photographing subjects five feet or nearer, and a full flash for those subjects that are farther away than five feet.
Know when to get closer. Whenever your subject is smaller than an automobile of normal size, move a few steps closer to the subject before taking the photo. Or it might be an even better idea to use the zoom function on your camera. Your goal in doing this is to show little details, like a great set of teeth or a grouping of cute freckles.
Know if you're too close to the subject. While moving closer often gives you a more desirable shot, it is possible to get too close, which you should avoid. If you are too close, your pictures will turn out blurry. The closest focus distance on the average digital camera is around a yard, which is around one step away from the lens of the camera. Any closer than this and your photos may not come out as clear as you would like them to.
Put your subject in the very middle, but only when it appears best like that. The nice thing about the digital camera is that you can shoot, shoot, and re-shoot up until the shot you are capturing turns out the way you want it. Often times the middle is the most ideal positioning for a subject, however this is not always the case. Snap multiple shots so that you can compare them side by side and discover which position works best for the subject.
If you really care and think things through, you can easily capture pictures that are well worth placing in picture frames all over your office and house.