What's the secret to taking great photos?

Question

My photos never turn out how I'd like them to. I seem to take hundreds and then only one or two look ok (thank goodness for digital!). I have four children and try to take just natural, unposed shots. What are some nice ideas that can look really good?

Answer 1

I remember once hearing that the difference between a professional photographer and a regular photographer is 6 rolls of film. The secret to taking great photos is practice, patience, and having an eye for the creative. As others have suggested, a photography class can help, but not necessary. To take better photos, you must know your camera (know how to use it), learn composition (and be able to apply that on-the-fly), and watch the light (as photography is all about controlling light). Rule of thirds and getting closer to the children can greatly improve the interest in the photo. Make sure they're not a tiny dot in the photo, but that their face fills the frame. Of course, if you want the background, you probably don't want to fill the frame, but at least make them the main subjects and not the background.

For some ideas, take the children outdoors to a park, beach, or garden near sunset as the sun isn't as harsh and make sure the background isn't cluttered. They'll also have the freedom to move around. If you take pictures during midday, you'll get harsh shadows and squinting eyes. If you must take photos during the day, find some shade, like under a large tree or in a patio, to help soften the shadows. Indoor shots are more difficult, but if you want some natural looking shots indoor, have the children by the window. These are just general tips for portrait photography, and as with everything in art, the rules and tips can be broken if you find a better method that works for you.

Have patience and take lots of photos. It's all about practice and learning as you go. Note what doesn't look right in the photo and try again from another angle/view and you'll improve before you know it.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

What don't you like about the pictures?

-Is it the content (i.e. do you want your subject to be more close-up, more in focus, etc.). Close-ups typically work best for people. Play around with the angle you're snapping the camera from. Put your subject near one of the corners; it shouldn't be in the center. Typically the most balanced images follow the 1/3 rule where your main focus is 1/3 away from either the top or bottom and 1/3 away from either side.

-If it's the technical aspects (lighting, color, etc) it may be helpful to take a class to show you how and when to use flash, what speed you should use for what you're trying to obtain, etc. Of course you could always use Photoshop to adjust some of these as well.

It may help to slow down a bit. Take less pictures, but strive to make the ones you do take good. It'll force you to focus on what you're trying to obtain and hopefully with time, you'll improve. Definatly don't try to interfere or pose the image too much. A lot comes down to knowing when exactly to push the shutter.

Answer 4

There are several great photography books on the market. You should also take a class, that in itself is the most important thing to do. Another VERY IMPORTANT thing to do is to read your cameras owners manual a few times a year. I don't care if you read it a million times, every time you read it, you learn something new. I'm a forensic photographer and I take my owners manual with me where ever I take my camera. I refer to it often. It has saved my butt several times. One thing I like to do is use my zoom lens and stand or sit a short distance away, most times your subject has no idea that you are shooting them. Makes for great candid photos. When you shoot a subject, don't just take 1 or 2 shots, shoot several, then pick your favorites. That's how the pros do it. The National Geographic magazines photographers will shoot thousands of the same subject, then pick the best. And since you are shooting digital, it doesn't cost you anymore to shoot a hundred than it does a single. Good luck

Answer 5

Don't stare at the camera screen ... keep talking, joking with the kids. They will look more natural if the camera is not the most important thing.
To get a habit of this, rest your elbows on something an aim the camera with a wider shot (you can always crop it later). Then just chatter away as if the camera wasn't important and grimmaces about "Oh no, not the camera again" looks will melt away.

More information may help ... Is the problem:-
blurred photos?
Lighting?
subject too small or not centered?

Answer 6

Just find something that looks nice, take into account negative space and shadows. practice. playing with the different settings is really fun too. you should probably if you haven't already read through the booklet that came with the camera so that you have a good knowledge of how the camera works and what setting to use depending on the subject and location. I know I've seen some good books at the book store, but I can't remember any titles, try a library. good luck!

Answer 7

don't stand too far away
make sure you have a steady hand, so the photo's not blurry
take your time, don't just shoot
don't use a flash unless absolutely neccessary, it will wash people out.
an important thing is to try to get the whole head in the photo.
have a clear focal point.
make sure you have a decent camera!

Just catch your children doing what they love so they are happiest, and it's something that you can really remember who they were when they were young by.

Happy photographing! (saying happy shooting just sounded wrong lol)

Answer 8

This is the best course to learn photography http://photography-course.kyma.info
I've been doing photography for 4 year now and I still find myself researching different techniques, styles and different ways to shoot a photo, I spend sometimes an hour, 2 hours or even 12 hours on a daily basis trying to search an answer to my question (the same will happen to you if you really want to be great). Photography is a gift and also a talent that one has, the greatest photographers are very passionate about their style like landscape/nature, portraits, and so on. That is what helps us to strive hard to get to where we want. I hope the same happens to you because it is a very rewarding process to see your hardwork in galleries, newspapers, magazines, or even in museums.

Answer 9

Keep a list/s to help you remember what you did or didn't do to take a photo that you like. eg: was it midday? or dawn or dusk? where was the sun or lighting? how much of your subject fills the photo? was it symmetrical? or not? For manual shots: what were the camera settings like fstop, ISO, shutter speed, focus, etc.
*Whatever, always relate what you did to how the photo turned out.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. Hope this helps and good luck.
PS Make absolutely sure that your lense surfaces are carefully cleaned to be clear and bright.

Answer 10

Simply put, take photos when they are not ready or do not know you are about to. I go on a few cruises, and always take photos like this of my friends, it gives the most natural looking photographs. Also, try taking a couple of each shot, some in landscape, others in portrait style, as this adds a bit of variety. Good luck with it! :)