Better Digital Photos | The Photography Shack

Better digital photos are easy to take. All you need, is knowing everything about your equipment and know how to take good images. If you want to avoid images with a half a head, or red eyes, then you need to know how to adjust your digital camera, to prevent these outcomes.

For example, many digital cameras, now have a setting to avoid the red eye in images. So, all you need, is to adjust the setting on your digital camera and the dreaded red eye will disappear from your digital images.

Modern digital cameras, have so many options to help improve your digital photos. For example, professional photographers, avoid the red eye by taking the flash head off the camera.

Whether you consider yourself an amateur photographer, or you just want to create better family photos, there are many things you can do to get better photos. Here are some easy tips to use the next time you head out with your digital camera.

Being Prepared For The Next Shot

Keep all your photography equipment ready for use. Collect everything you’ll need into one place. A camera bag is ideal, because if it keeps all your stuff together and lets you carry it all with you. Everything is in its place. A good camera bag will let you organize a miniature tripod, extra batteries, memory cards, etc. - even a plastic bag or waterproof housing to protect your camera in wet weather.

Taking Clear Images With A Steady Camera

Blurry photos are almost always the result of camera movement. Just your own unsteadiness, causes your camera to shake enough to blur your pictures.
So steady yourself and your camera before you take the shot.

Plant your feet firmly on the ground and tuck your elbows in close to your sides. Instead of using the LCD viewer, steady your camera against your forehead and frame the shot using your camera’s viewfinder. You can also steady your upper body by leaning against a wall or a tree. Or totally eliminate any camera movement by using a tripod.

Once you’re all set, gently press the shutter release in one motion. Pressing the shutter release too hard could jerk the camera downward.

Improving The Image By Coming Closer

One difference in “snapshots” and really great photos is the composition of the shot. Unless you’re shooting an outdoor landscape, you can improve most photos just by getting closer to your subject. Depending on the situation, you can physically move closer to your subject, or use the zoom feature on your camera for the same effect. Try to get within a few feet of your subject so you eliminate most of the background. You’ll like the results.

Take Plenty Of Images

Even professionals take loads of shots of the same subject - to get just a few that they will use. With a digital camera, you can delete the images you don’t like, and only print the winners - so don’t hesitate to take several shots of the same subject. Change the angle of the shot. Get a little closer. Adjust the lighting.

Why not fill the entire memory card with pictures of your kid at the pool, or your daughter in her cap and gown? The more pictures you take, the better the odds that you’ll get a few shots that will really thrill you.

Using Different Sources Of Light

Using natural light will give better skin tones when photographing people, so try not to use the flash if you don’t have to. Outdoor daylight shots are easy, but you’ll have to be a little more creative when shooting indoors. Try using the light coming in from a window for warmer tones than you would get using the flash.

Experiment with natural lighting. You can get stronger shadows by moving your subject closer to a window, and turning your subject can create more dramatic shadows.

Eliminating The Dreaded Red-Eye

Red-eye is the result of light passing through your subject’s eye and reflecting back. You’ll get it more often when using your flash, just because the light from the flash isn’t as diffused as natural light. So the first tip for eliminating red-eye is simply to avoid using your flash when you don’t absolutely have to.

Another way to reduce red-eye is to have your subject look anywhere but at the camera. This reduces red-eye because any reflection isn’t directed back at your camera lens.
If you have to use the flash, some digital cameras have a built-in feature to automatically remove red-eye. Use it.

Candid Images Are Often More Interesting

Instead of posing two (or more) people looking directly at the camera, get a shot of them interacting with one another. Even two people having a conversation is more interesting than having them stand next to each other facing the camera. Some of the best professional portraits have the subject captured deep in thought, with their attention focused inward, rather than on the camera lens.

It makes a more interesting shot. Your portrait will look more natural - less posed.

Creating An Interesting Scene With The Rule Of Thirds

Putting your subject in the center of a photo is just boring. You’ll get a much more pleasing result if you place your subject off center when you frame the shot.

This is a truly professional technique. Place your subject so that they occupy 1/3 to 1/2 of the total composition, but NOT at the exact center of the frame. Capture an interesting background object in the rest of the frame.

Anybody can practice these techniques. They’re easy and you’ll get better, more professional photos. Your friends will be amazed at the quality of your images, just by using these tips. The secret to your success is to be ready for the unexpected.

Remember, with a digital camera, you do not have to load film, although you may have run out of space on the memory card. When there are dull moments and you are waiting for the princess to come out and blow the candles on her birthday cake, you can preview your images and delete the images where there may be half a head or out of focus blurs.

Intentionally Adding Blur To Your Images

Sometimes, you may decide that some images that have a little blur, are more interesting than the ones with sharp focus. With auto focus, you should not have problems with blurry images, but if you set up the camera so that you get some blur, then it may meet your expectations. For example, you may want to include blur to indicate movement. If you are taking an image of a moving car, then a little blur will indicate a car in motion.

Always remember, before you press the big button to capture the image, you need to ensure what you see in the viewfinder, is what you want in your final image. Now you know, how you can start creating better digital photos.