Simple Tips to Take Better Photos

Photography used to be something only the pros could perfect. These days with technology where it is, the camera can do most of the work for you! Here are a few tips to help you create those photos that will hang on the walls of your friends and family's homes for many years

* If you have a camera with preset functions for portraits, landscapes and actions, etc., try to use them. Learn when/how to use these and let the camera do the work. Just frame, point and click.

* The best time to take pictures outside is early in morning and later in the evening when the sun is the least intense.

* Remember to carry spare batteries or your charger with you when taking pictures. Nothing is worse then framing up that perfect picture and realizing your batteries are dead.

* Great times to take pictures of landscapes are around dawn and dusk because the sky will have a soft and natural glow.

* Carry an extra film or memory stick/card to make sure you don’t have to delete some good pictures in order to capture others.

* These days you don’t have to go to the photo store to get your pictures developed. Many companies allow you to load your pictures to their website and they will mail them to you.

* Download your pictures to photo sites and share you online photo album with friends and family. They will be able to copy or order prints without any extra work from you.

* Film can be expensive, but if you have digital camera, take as many pictures as possible. The more pictures you take, the better the chances you will take something worth framing.

* If you are using a flash, stay clear of reflective backgrounds like mirrors & windows, as they tend to flood pictures with too much light.

* If your pictures tend to come out very yellow, chances are your light bulb is projecting the color. Look for lighting that is white and crisp for more vibrant colors and detail.

* Try taking some photos when people aren’t paying attention to you…sometimes the best moments are caught when the subject least expects it.

* To get a variety of pictures, try taking them from irregular places: like from standing on a chair or from a child's eye level.

* Tell a joke or say something silly when you are taking a planned group photo. Not everyone can look natural on call or fake their best smile.

* Don’t take pictures directly facing the sun…this will most likely white out your picture. Also by avoiding picture taking with people that are looking directly into the sun, you can eliminate those award squinting faces.

Experiment and play around, taking pictures should be fun!