Your Camera Is Your Friend
Great friends make life fun and adventurous. They help you see things differently. Your camera is another friend that can help you explore your amazing world. Like any good friend, first you have to become familiar with it. Take your camera everywhere, and get to know how it works. Try out all of its settings, and see how it reacts to different situations. After you’ve used these five basic tips, try breaking the rules. Have fun experimenting with the art of photography. Follow your creativity. Happy shooting!
1. Light is Also Your Friend
Use natural light as much as possible. Sunrise and sunset cast a soft, warm glow. Bright sunlight can wash out people’s faces or give you harsh shadows. A cloudy day is a great time to shoot outside, since the clouds help diffuse (or spread out) the light, and you get better tones and colors. Indoors, a flash can create light that’s also harsh. If you must use a flash, stay away from walls, because the flash may cast unwanted shadows.
2. Choose Simple Backgrounds
A busy, cluttered background can be distracting and draw attention away from your subject. People can even look like they have objects growing out
of their heads! Sometimes a slight shift in your angle can give you a cleaner background.
3. Look for Moments
The best photos can happen when you least expect them. Rather than asking people to stand still and look at the camera, watch for casual, unexpected moments when they have more natural, relaxed smiles. Or take a shot when they’re laughing, having fun, and being themselves.
4. Experiment with Different Angles
Take close-ups and wide views. Squat down and look up, or climb up and look down. Move around your subject and try different angles. Have fun with your composition. Frame the person off-center rather than right in the middle of the shot.
5. Let the Person Shine Through
You’re taking photos of unique and inspiring people. Think about what interests you most about them. What actions, expressions, and locations can you capture to reflect their special qualities?
Photo credits: Camera illustrations by Julien Tromeur. Photos, top to bottom, left to right: Yuri Arcurs,
Supri Suharjoto, sianc, Tracy Whiteside, Rafal Olkis, Ronen, Nancy Wong, Mandy Godbehear.