Have you ever gotten home from a great vacation anxious to show your pictures to friends and family - only to be disappointed that they didn't express the true beauty of the places you visited? How do you make your pictures great? Every picture tells a story.
What do you want your pictures to say? How do you want your viewers to feel? Instead of trying to take perfect pictures, try to make them energetic, curious, or fascinating.
Here are some tips on taking shots that tell the stories you want to tell.
1.
Your Tools Of course you need to have a camera to take pictures.
There are plenty of articles and books written about different types of cameras, lenses and other equipment.
This article isn't about taking perfect, professional pictures.
It's about how to make you snapshots more interesting to look at and not letting your subjects melt into the background of your photos..
It's about the little things you can do to make your pictures tell their stories.
No matter what kind of camera you're using, your most important tools in good photography are your eyes.
Study photos in books, magazines or websites that you enjoy.
What makes them different - the angles, time of day, lighting? Is the setting sun shining on the side of the building? Are there shadows or reflections creating patterns behind your child's head that could either enhance the photo or detract from it? Pay attention to the details.
Take a minute to look around you to see if there is a better angle to shoot from, to see if there's more color in the background on the left of the subject than there is on the right.
Is there an interesting rock formation, or cloud pattern or tree in the area that could make the picture more interesting or playful.
2.
Your Position Consider your position in relation to the subject (the thing or person you are photographing).
Take pictures of a fixed object from different points of view: on the ground, on a chair, up close, farther away, from the right side, from the left, through a gate, through a tree, etc..
Taking pictures from different angles, in different lighting and from various distances makes each picture look unique.
3.
People When taking pictures of people, make sure their hands are away from their faces to keep viewers from looking at fingernails, rings and watches.
Outside settings make people look more relaxed and friendly.
Show people involved in activities - talking, singing and laughing.
Photograph your family and friends while they are swimming, riding on rides and playing games.
With the fast, self-focusing new cameras, you can take great pics of your kids in motion - swinging, sliding or jumping.
4.
Other Living Creatures Before shooting animals or bugs, take time to watch their behavior and learn the pattern of their movements.
See how they react to your presence, the minimum distance from your camera they will tolerate.
5.
Framing Try framing your picture by including a branch of a tree, an archway, pieces of furniture, large plants, or a doorway - anything to get rid of dull, open spaces.
Take a picture under a tree, through a wagon wheel, window, arch or even someone's legs - to be creative.
Add people or animals to your scenic pictures.
Look around you - are there unusual shapes in any of the buildings, plants or equipment nearby? Groups of people in uniforms can add a splash of color in the background.
Take pictures of things you enjoy.
Play with it.
Keep your eyes open - practice, practice, practice...
and be sure to have fun!