Tips for Taking Great Photos

Eye-catching frame displays and albums begin with great photos. Be ready to capture those once-in-a-lifetime shots with our easy tips for improving your photographs.

Set the Scene

Take a careful look through your viewfinder before you take the picture. What's in the frame? A plain background will show off your subject best, so try to avoid clutter. Objects that appear as if they are floating in the background or “growing” out of your subject's head detract from a shot. Don't be afraid to direct your subjects during picture-taking. To add interest to a picture, move your subject away from dead center. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over the image, dividing it into thirds. Position your subject at one of the four intersecting points to create a dramatic look.

Perspective

Break the common habit of taking only horizontal, eye-level shots. Eye-level shots do draw you into a picture, but try some new angles, too: get up high for a bird's-eye perspective and down low for a ground-level view. Turn your camera sideways for some vertical shots, which lend a different look to the same scene.

Practice filling the frame when you take pictures - get in close to your subjects. Up-close shots are often more interesting to look at, and can reveal hidden details.

Lighting and Flash

Lighting can make or break your photograph. The most flattering natural light is in the early morning and late afternoon, so try to plan outdoor photos for sunrise or sunset if possible. When natural light isn't enough, your camera's flash can help. Outdoors, flash can fill in distracting shadows on sunny days and brighten your subject on cloudy days. Inside, flash can complement indoor lighting. To decrease indoor shadows, position people away from walls.

Make sure you know your camera's flash range (most are four to 10 feet; check your camera's manual). If you're too far away, the flash won't reach your subject. Get too close and you'll wash out faces.

Keep Shooting

Take lots of photos - more than you think you'll need. With digital photography, it's easier than ever to keep your best shots and discard the rest. Once you've selected the cream of the crop, choose albums and frames to showcase your special moments to the world.

Click here to shop our albums and click here to shop our frames.