How To Take Better Pictures

It seems like everyone is a photographer these days. Many people have nice cameras and showcase their own works of art on blogs, forums, and other networking sites. If you know nothing about taking pictures, you have to start somewhere. The only way to ever become better and create those artful photographs is to practice. To start, you need to follow a few basic tips.

1. If you're taking portrait photos, think about what your subjects are wearing. Certain situations call for crazy or abstract patterns and bright colors. But if you're looking for something to hang on the wall, it's best to go with solid colors or simple two-toned patterns (stripes, polka dots, etc). Your goal should be to create a timeless piece that can be displayed for years to come without being subject to Fashion Police. Think of all the wedding photos in which the bride is wearing out-of-control lace and shoulder puffs. Now think of the bride who chose to wear a simple strapless dress with minimal detail. Jeans and white or black tees are always appropriate for portraits. Get the idea? Good.

2. Unless you own your own studio (And you wouldn't be reading this if you did, would you?), it's always best to take pictures in natural light. Natural light allows for more depth of colors and a better tone in general. Photos taken with flash in poor lighting tend to be flat and not so interesting. Try taking your photos early in the morning or an hour before it begins to get dark.

3. Generally, the further you stand from your subject, the better. It's usually best to stand at least 10 feet from the person you are shooting. Or, in the case of an object, you must think of what you're trying to accomplish. If you're trying to capture minute details, you are probably going to use macro settings and be very close.

4. Choose your surroundings wisely. When you are photographing a person, especially, the background is very important. Much of the time it is best to have a simple background that's minimally interrupted, such as a field or beach. You don't want the background to distract from what you're photographing.

5. Don't simply look through your camera. Look at what you are taking a picture of. Pay attention to what you are framing and imagine how the picture will look.

6. Use a tripod, if possible. Lots of pictures lose potential due to camera shake. If you're not skilled enough in keeping your camera as still as possible, it could cause your pictures to blur or be less sharp. If you can't use a tripod, just try to remember and be concious about holding the camera as till as possible when taking pictures.