| While you can't of course learn everything in one | | | | what you had in mind when you clicked the shutter |
| article about photography, this article provides 5 tips | | | | release. |
| on the basics. Whether you have a point-and-shoot | | | | There's enough to the Photography 101 subject of |
| camera and rely on preset modes or you are now | | | | composition to fill several articles, but for starters, |
| the proud, albeit confused, owner of a professional | | | | here's the number one rule. Fill the frame of the |
| SLR camera, there are certain basics that once | | | | viewfinder. First, decide on what is the most |
| understood will send you on your way towards | | | | important subject in your photo and then move close |
| taking extraordinary pictures. Here are five important | | | | enough (or zoom-optical zoom is best) to fill the |
| and easy to use tips that you can put to use right | | | | viewfinder with the subject. For example, if the |
| away. | | | | subject is your mother watering her roses then she |
| 1) Resolve to Have Enough Resolution | | | | is the subject not her entire rose garden. Many |
| Yes, a low resolution setting saves space on your | | | | people make the mistake of losing their subjects in |
| memory card, but it doesn't make for suitable prints. | | | | the background. |
| You can easily resize for a smaller picture, even in | | | | 4) Steady Now |
| free programs like Picasa ("resize" is hidden there | | | | It doesn't take much camera shake to create blur, in |
| under "export"), but making a picture larger usually | | | | fact it takes so little that you will likely not even |
| brings awful results. When you enlarge the photo, the | | | | notice the movement. For sharp pictures, keep your |
| pixels that make up the picture are spread thinner. | | | | elbows down, feet apart and firmly planted and hold |
| If you plan to print your pictures, choose medium or | | | | the camera steady while pressing (not punching) the |
| high resolution. Depending on your camera, 3 | | | | shutter release. Continue holding still until the camera's |
| megapixels should give you high quality 4x6 images | | | | light has indicated it is done taking the photo. When |
| and sometimes even a very nice 8x10. For excellent | | | | you are taking a photo that needs a slower than |
| quality 11x14's go for 6 megapixels. | | | | usual shutter speed, like a fireworks display, use a |
| 2) Let There be Light (but Make it the Right Kind) | | | | tripod to steady the camera. You can even use a |
| Natural lighting is almost always best so don't worry if | | | | bunched up coat on a wall with a remote shutter |
| you don't have a flash or any fancy equipment. If | | | | release. A good rule of thumb: use a camera support |
| your only flash is the built-in one, that's all the more | | | | for shutter speeds slower than 1/60. |
| reason to opt for natural light. Built in flashes can | | | | 5) Share Your Creations |
| make a subject look flat. That's why the pros use an | | | | If your photos are digital, use a photo editor to bring |
| external flash and bounce light off the umbrellas. | | | | copies (save originals) of your photos down to the |
| There are tricks you can use like wearing a white | | | | appropriate size for your website, email, photo album |
| shirt or taping foil to the camera to bounce the light | | | | or picture frame. You should use photo paper that is |
| off the ceiling, but if you want an easy way to get | | | | compatible with your printer model for best results. If |
| professional quality photos without the equipment, go | | | | you're using a film camera but want photos for email |
| outdoors. | | | | or a website, use a quality scanner or when dropping |
| When taking pictures outdoors, consider the position | | | | off film to be developed, request a CD. |
| of the sun. With the exception of sunrise and dawn, | | | | Frame your best photographs for hanging on your |
| the lower the sun is in the sky the better. Noon | | | | walls or displaying on a table. A framed photograph |
| brings the harshest shadows. Unless the sky is an | | | | also makes a very welcome gift, especially when the |
| important part of your picture, bright overcast | | | | subject is a portrait. Remember a portrait can be of |
| produces the best light. | | | | one person, family, two friends, a beloved pet... the |
| 3) Compose a Perfect Picture | | | | list is endless, and again, these make lovely gifts, |
| Getting a fast snapshot of something without any | | | | especially when framed nicely. |
| thought mostly depends upon luck. But by first | | | | By using these 5 tips you'll help to expand your |
| learning how to compose a photo, you will end up | | | | photography knowledge so you can continue to take |
| with more pictures that look good and are suitable | | | | even better looking photographs. |
| for framing. The pictures you take will look more like | | | | |