Tip Tuesday - 5 secret (not so secret) pointers for taking better pictures!

Photography may not seem complicated to the mobile phone clicker but there are a lot of 'rules' that can help you take better and look better in pictures.  I've compiled a few relaxed ways of making your pictures look terrific. (Of course there's always the option to hire a professional photographer but that's a topic for another blog!)

Light is everything.
    • Arrange for the light to be on either shoulder to a 90 degree angle
    • No light in back or in front (make squinty eyes)
    • Use light/bright surfaces to reflect light
      • What you use to reflect will change the color of what you’re shooting
    • Use your automatic settings based on what your light is…sun, shade, clouds – it changes the color of the final photo.
Your camera!  Get familiar with it. 
  • Unless you are comfortable using all manual setting to manage ISOs, aperture and shutter speed use the automatic settings for sun, shade, clouds, action etc.

Shooting better selfies

  • Please, no cutesy pouting (besides you'll get wrinkles in your lips later in life)
  • Shoot from straight on or above (avoid above so high you fall backwards)
  • Sun to your side, not your back. Front is OK if it's filtered
It’s OK
  • Not to smile
  • Not to look at the camera
  • Not to stand in a soldier line
It’s great to
  • Be natural
  • Shoot in the shade without bright sun behind
  • Pose in comfortable, angled positions (see photo above - shoulder to shoulder looks cliche, standing back to front is one good option)
  • Offset your subject (generally no need to always center)
  • Put the cocktail glass down and take off the name tag


Definitions:
ISO Measures the sensitivity of the image sensor to light. Higher ISO settings are generally used in darker situations.
Shutter speed (click time) The camera's shutter speed determine the amount of light that reaches the sensor.
Aperture (opening) Aperture known as f/stops refers to the opening of a lens's diaphragm through which light passes. The lower f/stops (1.8mm) give more exposure because they represent the larger apertures, while the higher f/stops (32MM) give less exposure because they represent smaller apertures. 


Location: Scottsdale, AZ, USA

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