subject: Tips On Clicking Better Photos (part 2) [print this page] I have learned that one of the easiest ways to make your photos more interesting to the eye, is to just shoot from an angle. In other words, kneel slightly, shift a bit to one side or the other, and don't always be eye to eye with the subject. I have even figured out that lying prone on the ground to get a specific angle, can give a genuine impact. Not a good idea to wear your best suit of clothes on a photo shoot, for who knows what measures you will need to take to get that one exceptional shot.
Changing the angle can also have a real effect upon the light, shade and markings on your subject. Example: a macro shot of a spider. The size and detail on it will become more distinct as a result of just adjusting the angle of the camera. Try to avoid touching the web though with the lens, as spiders are very aware. One little fluctuation on the web, and goodbye spider!
For quite a while I battled with outdoor lighting. Everyone knows that the intensity of the light changes as the sun crosses the sky. To turn out a good photograph I have always thought that good lighting would furnish quality photographs, but poor lighting results in , for example, unwanted shadows. which greatly effects the appearance of your subject. At the start, I adhered to the normal practice of keeping the sun over my shoulder, taking into consideration the angle of the suns rays, which I thought was supposed to result in good photographs.
As I gained experience with various outdoor lighting, (examples: sunny days, and those days that were dark and gloomy with some sunny breaks) I soon adjusted my way of thinking. Until then my afternoon photos were dull or washed out. It did nothing to bring out detail, or provide an impression of depth. But what could I do? I had to take advantage of the natural lighting that I had. I can only provide the following. In my opinion one of the preferred times of day for photographs is when the sun is lower in the sky. Also dandy for sunrise or sunset shots !
Then I found out that during the morning hours or early evening, lighting worked more in my favor. It was when the sun was high overhead that my photo's presented a problem. I was ending up with such things as unsightly glare on the flower petals, and undesirable shadows in the bee photos, which totally ruined my photographs.
I am still battling with ways to take much better afternoon shots outside , but for now I can only propose one suggestion. Use a pen and notebook and jot down what the subject is that you want to take the photo of. One of Grandma's prize flowers, for example, and note it's location. Then return later when the light is better or at least altered, and try retaking the photograph again. If it's an insect however, you may have to do a bit of searching to relocate it again. Good luck !
