How to Take Great Photos

One crucial element in a scrapbook is the photo. You can create scrapbooks without them, but you may lose the visual impact that photos provide. These images remind us of moments: once-in-a-lifetime moments; unplanned, spontaneous moments; do-over moments; even daily doldrums.

So whether vacationing in Paris or eating meatloaf at home, here are five tips for taking the best pictures possible:

1. Take charge. Some moments are best captured passively—letting the action happen on its own. Others can improve with direction from the camera person: you. Suggest location, arrangement, and props to enhance the image.
2. Check the background. When you look through the viewfinder, study the space surrounding your subject and clear anything distracting or extraneous.
3. Use the flash outdoors. Direct sunlight creates facial shadows; using the fill flash can eliminate them. Brightening people’s faces will improve your pictures.
4. Get a little closer. Try stepping closer or zooming in so the subject fills the picture area. Details and nuances will be captured up close and personal.
5. Follow the rule of thirds. In film and photography, there is a cardinal rule of thirds. According to this rule, center stage is not the best place for the subject of your picture.       

To implement the rule, imagine a tic-tac-toe board in your viewfinder. In essence, you are dividing the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically. Position your camera so that the subject is on one of the points where the lines meet. Try moving your camera to the right or the left for a more interesting shot.

Daily moments tell our stories. Special events celebrate milestones. Make time to capture them all on film.

Excerpt from Real Women Scrap: Create the Life and Layouts You've Always Wanted
All rights reserved. Copyright 2006.

Comments

[Camy Tang]

Wow, great tips! I totally didn't know about the rule of thirds.
Camy