Keeping The Memories - Still Photography

The A Day In™ Guide to Still Photography

Follow these simple but effective tips to ensure you capture the special moments:

• Set the camera properly before you need to use it - make sure for example that if you are going out for the day it is not still set to - portrait mode - or macro but is on the landscape, outdoor scene mode.
• Fill the picture with your subject - move in close with the camera and fill the frame with the object of the picture. This will create greater impact but remember that an important part of the subject where landscapes are concerned is the sky.
• Keep a sense of proportion - When taking landscapes or nature shots try to get something familiar in the scene to give the viewer a sense of proportion.
• Compose your shots - Be creative as well. Don't only frame the main subject in the centre and zoom in on it. Try putting the subject off centre and balance them or it with something else in the background on the other side of the picture: your boyfriend with a castle on the left hand side of the shot, your wife standing in the doorway of the hotel with an impressive flower display to one side, and so on.
• Play the odds - When photographing families or groups take a number of pictures! This will increase your chances of getting everyone looking at the camera, not blinking and smiling at the same time.
• Be prepared - Check before you need it that your camera has a fully charged battery and that you are carrying spare memory sticks/cards or film.
• Spare the flash indoors - Try NOT to use flash indoors wherever possible. Most cameras can do a good job of using natural light indoors as long as it is reasonable. The results will be impressive if you get the lighting of you subject right.
• Don't spare the flash outdoors - Use the flash outdoors when taking people-shots. If the sun is strong and bright it can often create dark shadows to one side of people's faces. Use the flash top "fill in" the shadows and even out harsh contrasts.
• Look for reflections - This is one of the easiest ways to add an artistic touch to a photo. Christmas or other outdoor lights work well as do shadows and puddles! Dare to be a little creative.
• Be stable - In spite of modern image stabilisation it is still best to be stable when taking a still photograph. Use both hands and, if possible rest your elbows on something - a wall or table perhaps. Relax: don't tense up - and breath out just before you take the shot. This will keep the camera steady and produce a better photo.
• See the Light - A photograph is all about light so always think of how the light is striking your subject. It is often better if the sun is behind you or to one side. This front lighting brings out colour and shades, and the slight angle (side lighting) produces some shadow to indicate texture and form.
• Human interest - Photographs of landscapes, seascapes, mountains and rocks are enjoyable to take but frequently fail to convey what you are seeing with your own eyes. Often they turn out to be dull to look at and, without perspective and proportion can be very misleading. Include some of your friends, companions, family, or even people passing by to add human interest.
• It's in the detail - Photos of detail are extremely effective - from the quaint doorknocker in a back-street to the colouring of a stained glass window, from your friend's face lying on a beach towel to the creatively presented meal in the bar.
• Foreground and background - Depth is important and will avoid the photo appearing flat. Add pointers to assist the eye such as a tree or a person in the foreground. This will give the photo a three dimensional appearance.
• Variety is everything - Don't take too many shots of the same type or style. Include landscapes and people shots, close ups and wide angles, good weather and bad weather. And take shots that evoke memories - street signs, food, and the staff for example.

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