Simple Tips For Taking Better Photos

Learn to take great photos with the use of these 11 practical photography tips:nnTake better photos and add exciting artistic effects to your photos using HP digital cameras which can be edited using in-camera design gallery features. nn1) Using the sun to light your photosnnNatural sunlight provides some of the best lighting for great shots with more detail and vivid colors. Be careful:nn• Really bright sunlight casts harsh shadowsnn• Overhead sunlight can wash out detail in facesnnTip: For best results, avoid taking photos when the sun is directly overhead. This can cause harsh shadows. Also, try to shoot with the sun behind you. This prevents loss of detail caused by bright light.nn2) Get creative on gray daysnnLess-than-ideal weather conditions won't keep you from getting that perfect shot. Cloudy skies produce unique photos:nn• Get interesting highlights with enhanced moodnn• Make colors pop in contrast to the gray skynnnTip: Shooting in the rain can be fun, but be careful not to damage your camera. You can waterproof your camera by wrapping it in a plastic bag and cutting a hole for the lens to poke through.nn3) Capture breathtaking evening photosnnThe key to great night photos is turning off your flash. Just follow these guidelines:nn• Set shutter speed slower to let in enough lightnn• Stay steady, slow shutter speeds blur photosnn• Use a tripod or place camera on stationary surfacennnTip: Place your camera on a tripod and set its shot timer so there's no risk of your camera moving when you press the trigger.nn4) Golden Hour - A great time for some photo magicnnSunrise and sunset are what photographers call the "golden hour" or "magic hour." Photos taken at these times are rich and dramatic:nn• Get "golden" light instead of blinding midday sunnn• Your photos will have warm and inviting colorsnnnTip: Using the golden hour is especially good for people shots so you avoid harsh shadows on faces caused by midday sun. Experiment with angles and zoom to find the perfect balance of light.nn5) Get more effective flash photosnnThe flash is a great tool if you know how to get the most of it. The key is keeping your distance:nn• Your camera's flash has a range of about 10 feetnn• Too far? Your photo will be too darknn• Too close? Bright light blows out detailnnnTip: The best way to avoid overexposed flash photos is to step back and zoom in to your subject. This way, the flash is a good distance from your subject, but you still get your close-up.nn6) Keep annoying "red-eye" out of your photosnnThe flash reflecting off the retina of your subject's eyes is what causes the common problem of red-eye. Reduce red-eye by following these guidelines:nn• Move outdoors or into brighter lightnn• Have your subject avoid looking directly into the lensnnnTip: Many HP cameras offer in camera automatic red-eye removal.nn7) Move your subject for more compelling photosnnYou don't have to center your subject in every photo you shoot. Create more visual interest by using the Rule of Thirds:nn• Divide your photo into a tic-tac-toe gridnn• Place the main "interest" at grid intersectionsnn• Use photo software to crop later if necessarynnnTip: You don't always get the perfect shot to begin with, so keeping the Rule of Thirds in mind, try cropping your photo after you've shot it using HP Photosmart Essential software for the same effect.nn8) Change the angle and create more impactnnThe difference between a good photo and a great photo is sometimes just a matter of how you approach it.nn• Change the camera angle for creative shotsnn• Move your camera in relation to the subjectnn• Zoom in or out to change the compositionnnTip:Try these ideas to get a different perspective when you take a photo:nn• Hold your camera at arm's length above your headnn• Lie on the groundnn• Get very close to your subjectnn9) Add more visual appeal to your shotsnnSometimes the best way to draw attention to your center of interest is to create a frame around it.nn• A "frame" helps the subject stand outnn• Add drama, depth and interestnn• Use scenic elements like trees or other objectsnnTip: Once you've situated your subject in the area where you want to shoot, always view your subject from several different angles to locate objects you can use to frame your photo. Use scenic elements like trees or other objectsnn10) Add depth and create interest with linesnnCreate interesting perspective and enhance ordinary shots by using straight or curved lines within the frame.nn• Lines lead the eye to the center of interestnn• Look for brick walls, sidewalks, fences, and edgesnn• Shoot lines at an angle for unique shotsnnnTip: Get creative with lines in your photo. Position your subject at a corner where a fence intersects, or use a long sidewalk to "point" to your subject.nn11) The right background makes a better photonnBackgrounds can play a huge role in how interesting your photo is. Consider these points when choosing a background:nn• Watch for clutter and other distracting elementsnn• Don't use a busy or competing backgroundnn• Remove objects that connect to the subjectnnnTip: Watch out for items in the background that might look odd when photographed, like a lamp post sticking out behind someone's head.n