photography tricks and tips

December 20, 2008 -- David Pogue, writer for the NY Times, has written an article titled "Pogue's Photography Tips and Tricks." In this article he provides what he considers to be the top 5 "Best Photography Tricks of All Time ." I'm not sure if this would be my top 5 list, but his article did inspire me to think about it so I decided to write my own page of photography tips. I tried to stop at 5, then 10, and ultimately I forced myself to stop at 15 tips. These tips are mostly for users with point & shoot camera's.

My Top 15 Tips to Better Photography

1. Shoot with the sun BEHIND your subject and use the camera's flash to light your subject. This provides light around the hair and since the sun isn't shining in your subject's eyes, they won't have to squint. If you're forced to face your subjects into the sun, try having them look away, but turn their head to you on the count of three. You'll not only get eyes open, but you'll most likely capture a real smile since they'll find it funny to do what you asked.
   
   
2. Use the SCENE mode that best matches what you're shooting. SCENE modes adjust the settings on the camera to properly capture a particle type of scene. For example, when select the SPORTS or ACTION scene mode the camera will automatically increase the shutter speed in order to help 'freeze' motion, or if you select a NIGHT SCENE mode the camera will automatically slow the shutter speed down while the flash will be used to 'freeze' the foreground subjects. The slower shutter speed will help to retain background brightness that would normally go dark when you use a flash at night.
   
   
3. Turn OFF the 'digital zoom' capability of your camera. Unlike optical zoom, a digital zoom doesn't really get you closer to the scene, it just takes a smaller inset portion of the captured image and blows it up to match the resolution of the camera's image sensor. This results in much lower quality results. If you find that you really needed that extra zoom you could always "crop and zoom" later on using the photo editing software that came with the camera.
   
   
4. Say goodbye to shutter lag by half-press the shutter button. Yes, David Pogue also listed this in his top 5, and it's a great tip. When you press the shutter button of your camera down half way, the camera locks in focus and exposure. When you're ready to actually take the picture, there wont' be a delay since the focus and exposure settings are already done. There's nothing left for the camera to do except take the picture.
   
   
5. Rotate the camera to match the scene. When shooting a subject or scene that is taller than it is wide, shoot the scene with the camera in portrait position (vertically). Use the landscape (horizontal) position when shooting a scene that is wider than it is taller. It makes sense, but you'd be surprised by how many people only take 'normal' horizontal pictures.
   
   
6. Turn OFF the flash on your camera when at a sporting event. First, the range of your camera's flash is probably only 10 or 15 feet (at best) so it will never reach the players on the field. Second, if people are in front of you, all the flash will do is to overexpose the people in front of you, while everything else will be dark. Third, and most important, if the camera is told that the scene will be shot using the flash, it will set a smaller aperture and faster shutter speed to compensate. So now, whatever is dark will become even darker since the flash isn't going to reach. By turning the flash OFF, you're telling the camera to meter based on the actual lighting conditions, which in low light will force it to use a slower shutter speed and wider aperture. Just be prepared to keep the camera STEADY.
   
   
7. Keep the camera steady. Yes, your camera probably has image stabilization (hopefully optical stabilization), but that is still no substitute for a tripod or monopod when the light gets low. If you really want a convenient 'DIY' stabilizer without spending more than a dollar - check out this video .
   
   
8. Count to three - Shoot on two. Some people just can't seem to hold their eyes open for 3 seconds. Maybe it's the pressure of the count. I don't know, but I do know that if you count to three, but shoot on two, you'll have far fewer 'do overs.' If using tip #1 (have them look away until the count of three), then don't obviously shoot on two.
   
   
9. Replace the flash with a tripod when shooting indoors. There are two ways to add light to a scene, one would be to actually 'add' light, the other would be to set the camera so that it uses more of the natural light. When you use a flash to add light to a scene, the picture never looks the way it did to you. However, if you turn off the flash the camera will actually capture the scene the way you remembered it. The only caveat is that you need to place the camera down on something steady (table, tripod, books, etc.) since the camera will use a slower shutter speed in order to create a longer exposure.
   
   
10. Diffuse the harsh on-camera flash by covering it with (fresh) tissue or toilet paper. Just tear off a small piece and either hold it in front of the flash, fold it over, or use a rubber band or small piece of tape. By doing this you're helping to diffuse and spread the light, which in turns helps to create softer shadows and eliminate red-eye. Your subjects will thank you.
    
    
11. Stand back and zoom, rather than getting closer. Using a telephoto lens to capture portraits is the way most professionals do it. A zoom lens has the effect of compressing objects in a scene to make them appear closer to each other than they really are, but this also helps with facial features as well. This 'compression' helps to create a more pleasing portrait. Using the zoom when shooting portraits also helps to blur and soften the background - another reason why professionals shoot this way.
    
    
12. Break the rules. Try using the wrong settings on your camera to see how it effects your shots. Shoot with the wrong white balance setting, try a scene mode that doesn't match what it is you're shooting. Just remember to set things right once you've experimented. You'll find that some of the best shots you'll take often happen by accident. Try to learn your camera enough to know how to purposely recreate these 'accidents.'
    
    
13. Think different! Nike uses this slogan and it is so true. If you want your photos to stand out - you'll need to do something different. Try laying on the ground and shooting up - or standing on a chair and shooting down. Get up when everyone else is sleeping to capture the amazing light at sunset - also a great time for portraits.
    
    
14. Overexpose when shooting in snow. Since winter is upon us and 10" of snow just fell last night with another 10" possible tomorrow, I thought I'd share how to shoot in snow. A camera tries to meter for 18% gray. Since snow is so bright the camera will underexpose the scene, making everything look gray and dull. Use the exposure compensation feature of your camera (if it has one, most do) to overexpose the scene by one or two steps and you're snow pictures will look white and bright. Be careful not to overexposure too much as you'll start to lose detail in the snow.
    
    
15. Not sure what to do? Go green. Most camera's have a 'green' or automatic mode that makes all the decisions for you. While automatic mode can often be fooled, you'll find this to be a 'safe' setting, especially when you're not sure how to set the camera.