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I once heard a photography professor say something like, "I dare you to show me a bad photograph. There is something good in every photograph." Those weren't his exact words, but that's close to the sentiment he was trying to get across to his students.
The challenge, I found, was to focus primarily on that "something good" and make it the entire photo. It can be done! Professional photographers use a lot of techniques that do not require expensive equipment. All they require is a good eye for that "Kodak moment."
Here are ten tricks to getting better photographs of your family, children, friends, and others.
1. Take lots of photos. If you are trying to capture a natural shot of a child, especially, take a lot of photos. Get them used to the camera. Bore them with it. Eventually, they'll loosen up and begin to ignore you. That's when you've got them where you want them. Once you become a natural part of the environment, your subject will react naturally in front of you.
2. Take your time. Try to compose the photograph before you click! Is there something in the way of your subject? Move it. Is there something wrong with the background? Change it. Take control. Behave like an artist. You are creating a work of art.
3. Try to add a little variety to your photos. Don't stick to the same mundane posing arrangements everytime you shoot. Professional photographers take chances, you can, too.
4. Experiment. Cut a hole in a piece of black construction paper. Now, shoot a picture looking through the hole. Make sure that the construction paper is in the photo. It will show up as just blackness when your film is developed, and your subject will be shown in a bright circle in the middle. These can create some dramatic shots.
5. Create a background. Put your children into it. Have them act out a scene from a play. Yell freeze and ask them to become statues. Take the shot. These can be memorable!
6. Experiment with shooting from different angles. Lay on the floor. Climb up on a ladder. Be creative.
7. Don't be afraid of action shots. Most automatic cameras do a great job of capturing motion. Just check your film speed. Be certain that it's correct for your purpose.
8. Check out some tinted lenses at a photography shop. You can change colors, soften wrinkles, etc. Talk to the expert at your local camera shop for more ideas and information on this. It's great fun!
9. Look at artistic photography. Learn from the masters!
10. Try taking some black and white photographs. The results might surprise you. When you are no longer relying on color, subject matter and composition stand out! You may fall in love with the look of black and white photographs.
You don't need an expensive camera to take good photographs. Most people buy far more camera than they really know how to use, or need for that matter. The main thing is getting out there and taking some photos. Have fun. Experiment. Allow yourself to think like an artist. You'll be amazed at the results!
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