laying children, bright midday sun, cloudy days or a vast landscape. Naturally you take photos while on holiday.
But how can you really capture all that beauty?
Read the 10 professional photo tips below and make the most fabulous photos!
1
Look your subject in the eye!
Direct eye contact is just as important in photos as in real life. Try to hold the camera
at the eye level of the person your are taking a photo of. This will
allow you to perfectly capture an irresistible look or a fascinating laugh.
Kneel if you're taking pictures of kids, this automatically allows you to take the photo at eye level. This leads to a natural posture; the person in the photo doesn't have to look up. It is also conducive to more personal eye contact. The person should be relaxed, as this also has a direct effect on the photo.
Kneel if you're taking pictures of kids, this automatically allows you to take the photo at eye level. This leads to a natural posture; the person in the photo doesn't have to look up. It is also conducive to more personal eye contact. The person should be relaxed, as this also has a direct effect on the photo.
2
Use a simple background
A simple background places emphasis on the subject. Pay attention to the background
and the surroundings when you look through the lens. Make sure there is no lamppost
growing out of your favourite niece's head and that she's not wearing any cars as earrings.
3
Use the flash outdoors
Bright sunlight can create ugly shadows. Use the flash
to eliminate shadows on the subject's face. When you take photos of people on sunny days,
switch on the flash. Depending on the circumstances,
you can choose between a compensating or full flash.
If you are standing 1.5 metres from your subject use a compensating flash. At greater distances use the full flash. If you have a digital camera, check the result straight away on the screen. On cloudy days use the compensating flash. The flash lights up the face so it is clearly visible. Also take a photo without the flash; the soft light on cloudy days can also result in very nice photos.
If you are standing 1.5 metres from your subject use a compensating flash. At greater distances use the full flash. If you have a digital camera, check the result straight away on the screen. On cloudy days use the compensating flash. The flash lights up the face so it is clearly visible. Also take a photo without the flash; the soft light on cloudy days can also result in very nice photos.
4
Stand close to your subject
If your subject is smaller than a car, stand one or two steps away
when you take the photo. Zoom in to draw the subject closer.
The reason for doing this is to fill the entire image with the subject. In a close-up photo
you can see very interesting details, such as freckles or
a slightly raised eyebrow.
Make sure you don't stand too close; the images can lose focus.
The autofocus on most cameras requires a minimum distance of 90 centimetres, which is about one step. The images lose focus at shorter distances. Consult your camera's manual so you don't take any unfocused photos.
The autofocus on most cameras requires a minimum distance of 90 centimetres, which is about one step. The images lose focus at shorter distances. Consult your camera's manual so you don't take any unfocused photos.
5
Don't place the subject in the middle
Centre stage is the perfect place for an actor.
However, the centre of the image is not the best place for your subject.
Let your photo come to life and position the subject to one side of the centre of the image.
Imagine that the image is crossed by two horizontal and two vertical lines that divide the image into 3x3 fields (like a tic-tac-toe board). Now position the subject along one of the lines. If you are using an automatic camera the autofocus should be off, because this type of camera usually focuses on whatever is in the centre of the image (subject or surroundings).
Imagine that the image is crossed by two horizontal and two vertical lines that divide the image into 3x3 fields (like a tic-tac-toe board). Now position the subject along one of the lines. If you are using an automatic camera the autofocus should be off, because this type of camera usually focuses on whatever is in the centre of the image (subject or surroundings).
6
Take photos in portrait orientation
Have you ever tried taking photos in portrait orientation? Portrait orientation is often an
excellent choice: for a lighthouse on a rock, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or even for your
four-year-old nephew while he's happily jumping around outside. Turn the camera 90°, in the portrait orientation,
when taking photos and see what a difference it makes.
7
Set the subject in motion
Take charge of your subject and you will see: the photos will be better. Don't
limit yourself to the role of an observer. Become a director! A director takes charge.
A director chooses the location: 'Everyone outside, in the garden!' and works with
props: 'Ladies, put on your pink sunglasses!'
A director positions the people: 'Everyone come here and lean forward, towards the camera.' Most photos don't require so much effort. But that is also the idea behind this tip; take charge of your image and you will take the best photos.
A director positions the people: 'Everyone come here and lean forward, towards the camera.' Most photos don't require so much effort. But that is also the idea behind this tip; take charge of your image and you will take the best photos.
8
Take snapshots
Don't always ask the subject to pose or to look towards the camera.
Be versatile. When taking snapshots pay attention to how people
work, how they play, how they lean backwards, talk or take a break.
9
Place the subject in the foreground
When you photograph a landscape you place the subject, a tree for instance,
in the foreground. Elements in the foreground give the image a certain
depth. A person in the foreground can serve as a motif for
landscape photography. You can make a composition of various situations
by placing an object in the foreground: hanging branches that illustrate
a landscape in the background, a window or an arch that provides the desired
depth. This makes the landscape photo more interesting.
10
Focus manually
If the subject is not located in the centre of the image, you need to switch off the autofocus
in order to take a sharp picture. Most autofocus cameras target
whatever is in the centre of the image; that may be the subject, but it may also be
the surroundings. For an optimal photo, however, the subject
should be offset to one side of the centre.
In order to obtain sharp focus in this situation you must first point the camera towards the subject and switch off the autofocus. Then you change the composition, with the subject to one side. As a general rule, the autofocus can be bypassed using these three steps. Point the camera at the subject and depress the shutter button half way. Now move the camera so the subject is positioned properly in the image. Finally, press the shutter button the rest of the way to take the photo!
In order to obtain sharp focus in this situation you must first point the camera towards the subject and switch off the autofocus. Then you change the composition, with the subject to one side. As a general rule, the autofocus can be bypassed using these three steps. Point the camera at the subject and depress the shutter button half way. Now move the camera so the subject is positioned properly in the image. Finally, press the shutter button the rest of the way to take the photo!
