Tips for Improving Your Shotsby Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger 30 Jan 2008 11:13 AM If you are spending more time deleting your photos on your digital camera than you are printing them out perhaps it's time for a photography refresher course. Look over your most recent shots and figure out what is keeping you... from keeping them. Is it bad composition? Poor lighting? Or is your photo subject possessed with the dreaded red-eye? In most cases a bad shot can turn into a keeper by following a few simple pointers: COMPOSITION Remember the "Rule of Thirds." It's one of the most important lessons in photography, which requires you to imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over the image you want to take. The key is to use the intersection of those lines to place your subject slightly off center before pressing the shutter button. Experiment with different angles. By taking pictures at various angles and distances you don't end up with 20 identical shots of your panting dog sitting poolside. Also spice up your shots by experimenting with both vertical and horizontal camera orientations. LIGHTING When the light is just right digital pictures shine. The trick with digital cameras is to balance your lighting sources. Digital cameras often get "confused" in certain shooting conditions, such as very bright or dim light. Unbalanced conditions can cause your camera to under or over expose your photos. To prevent this from happening follow these simple tips: In low light conditions, use your camera's night shooting mode, or lower the ISO to 50 or 100, which will help expose details in low light. Another tip: Use a tripod, or steady yourself against a wall or a rock to avoid moving the camera. In bright light switch to the "manual" mode and choose a fast shutter speed to control the amount of light that comes in. When you are shooting indoors avoid using your flash. Instead, flood the area with as much natural light as possible (open doors or windows). If that's not possible use lamps or overhead lights to brighten the area. Also, it's not a good idea to place your subject in front of a bright window. Rather, place them off to the side or have them face a natural light source. Related Articles: Telling A Story With Your Shots Snapping Frameworthy Shots Of Your Kids More Common Sense Tips To Capturing A Frame-Worthy Picture Common Sense Tips To Capturing Frame-Worthy Pictures Cameras: Knowing When To Upgrade Digital Photography 101: Getting To Know Your Camera Getting Digital Pictures To Friends And Family FAST! Learn more about Michele Cheplic  Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism. Relevantphotography tags User Comments No comments on this article yet. Be the first to comment! Community Tags composition, framing, photo tips, photography, pictures Discuss this article
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