QUARANTINE BLOG # 551

October 2, 2021

Today, 7 tips on taking better pictures.  Give them a try and snap some great exposures.

1. Keep the lens clean.

Phones spend a lot of time in pockets, in purses and being used in all manner of weather and conditions. From time to time clean the lens of your camera using a soft cloth.

If you have a dirty lens, none of the other tips in this piece will make your photo look good, so keep it in mind.

2. Learn your camera’s settings.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you might be surprised at just what your smartphone camera can do.

Don’t be afraid to tinker with your phone’s camera. You can play with the different features, effects and settings and snap lots of photos. And it has a “default” setting. If you’ve been playing and you’re not sure what you’ve done, or you don’t like a setting, just push default – and you’re back to square one, ready to try again.

3. Watch the light.

Light is king. If you remember one thing from this list, choose this one. Lighting is as valuable a tool as your camera itself. Generally, natural light from the sun is the best option. If you’re inside, raise the blinds and open the curtains to let in as much light as possible and, if you can, move your subject near the window.

It’s important to make sure your subject is facing the light source and you’re not. This may require a bit of moving around, but you’ll thank yourself in the end. If you are taking pictures of landscapes or buildings, just do the best you can (come back earlier or later in the day if you can).

4. To flash or not to flash.

If you are going to use your smartphone’s flash, you must know its range limitations. Many people try to take pictures of, say, a banquet hall during a wedding, only to be disappointed because everything is dark image beyond a foot or so.

Get in close. If you are going to use the flash, get in close enough to your subject for the flash to have impact, usually 6 feet or closer. If you can’t get in close – for example if you’re at a concert and are sitting in the back row – you will basically waste your time by taking a flash picture.

Using “fill flash.” There are times when you will want to use your flash outdoors in reasonably bright sunlight – particularly when your subject has strong backlighting or harsh light from one side. This situation calls for a “fill flash.” It fills in light where natural light doesn’t go.

You will need to be relatively close to your subject. If you have the opportunity, take several pictures – six feet, five feet, four feet. 

5. Composition.

Think before you shoot. Remember, you are the one taking the photo, not just the camera. Take time to consider what’s in the frame. There should be no distractions that cause a viewer to look at something other than what you wanted them to see. Are there any random objects that should be moved? Have you cropped off the top of someone’s head? Take some time to consider it.

Change the way you look at things.  Get higher – get lower – move closer – change your angle. When shooting photos try to match the height of the subject, such as kneeling on the ground to snap a picture of a toddler. You’ll get better shots when you’re at eye level rather than angling the phone up or down.

Shoot in landscape.  Cameras are horizontal devices. Virtually every camera on the market is built to compose and shoot images in landscape. Phones are the exact opposite – they’re almost always meant to be used in portrait mode. The camera in a phone will not shoot in landscape mode unless you physically turn the phone on its side – and you should do exactly that.

Use the “Rule of Thirds.” The Rule of Thirds is the most important thing for composing great pictures. Instead of placing your subject in the exact center of your photo, place it 1/3 from the top or bottom and 1/3 from the right or left edge. The effect is amazing, and it will instantly improve your pictures. Your cell phone or digital camera has a setting to display the grid on the screen.

6. Take lots of shots.

One of the fantastic things about digital photography is the ability to shoot off many shots quickly and without extra cost. You can experiment with different modes and composition and discard those that you don’t want to keep. 

Take more photos. Someone blinked. The angle didn’t work. Make life easier on yourself. The more photos you take, the better chance you have to find a winner. Where you’d normally take one, try taking five.

Take photos when you have a chance. You might not go back the way you came. Don’t figure you’ll catch something on your way back. Get the shot now.

Take a variety of shots. Take 15-20 shots at any one location, walk around and check different positions, try different angles, think close-ups, wide shots, vertical as well as horizontal shots. You’ll then have plenty of options to choose from for your final photographs.

Look behind you. Don’t leave the best shots behind you. Turn around and see what shot you might be missing.

7. Share your pictures.

The whole reason you’re capturing photos is so that you can express your unique perspective. Many photo enthusiasts barely make prints anymore, if at all. Putting photos to paper makes them tangible.  A drug store or super center will do them fast and charge about 40 cents per 4 X 6 print (before discounts).

It sounds a bit crazy, I know, but I’ve found it to be true. Give it a try. Chances are, if the photo is good, you’ll get the whole “you took this with your phone?” reaction that you’re looking for.

Ask people what they think of your photos. The feedback may not always be nice, but that’s okay. These are your photos. And there’s no wrong way to do photography.

👉  Today’s close, “Which Will Be Your Choice?” is by Max Lucado.

On one side stands the crowd.

Jeering.

Baiting.

Demanding.

On the other stands a peasant.

Swollen lips.

Lumpy eye.

Lofty promise.

One promises acceptance, the other a cross.

One offers flesh and flash, the other offers faith.

The crowd challenges, “Follow us and fit in.” 

Jesus promises, “Follow me and stand out.”

They promise to please.

God promises to save.

God looks at you and asks ...

Which will be your choice?

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