Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Five Mistakes People Make Taking Pictures

I know this is terribly earth shattering, but there are no perfect pictures. As a matter of fact the more you take pictures the more they seem to look imperfect. What's really happening is that your attention to detail is sharpening. I don't have a knack for detail in my life. I'm a bottom line kind of guy, which is not good if you do detail work. To increase my attention to detail I picked up photography. Among other reasons of course.

Today I wanted to share with you 5 common mistakes to try and avoid when taking pictures. There could be hundreds, but I'll focus on 5.

1. Avoid harsh light or mixed light if possible. In the picture below I shot this with a point and shoot digital camera. I didn't have my DSLR available. I made the error of shooting in partial sun and partial shade. Nary the two shall meet.

If shooting in this situation, try to shoot in all shade if possible. If you can't, move indoors or use something to shade the scene.

Bad shot

Better Shot



2. Shoot the subject. Almost goes without saying, but try to focus as much of what's in the frame on the subject. I see this less and less now that digital is all the rave. Old point and shoot cameras were hard to tell if you had the subject in frame so you backed up to get everything. Unfortunately, you got more living room wall than subject.

Correct this by getting close. If you are going to clip someone's face, clip the top of their head and not their chin. Fill THE FRAME!

Bad shot


Better Shot


3. Shoot from up high if possible. People look better when they don't look down. It has to do with their chin and neck. Most Americans have some weight. Avoid this problem if possible by having them look up. It stretches the neck up.

Bad shot

Better Shot


4. Get in line with the subject. Too many people shoot their children from their perspective. It loses something. Shoot children at their level. It actually helps you experience the picture as the child sees things and adds a level of interest.

Bad shot



Better shot


5. Straight on shots can get boring. Shooting the image in the same direction over and over bores the viewer. Change the angle at which you shoot. You can do this a number of way. My favorite is tilting the camera about 45 degrees.

Bad shot



Better Shot