Taking pictures has been a common practice for people. It lets them capture a specific memory and freeze it in time. Sometimes, the photo turns out magical and perfect, and it adds to the mood of the scenery or moment depicted in the picture. On some occasions, unavoidable mishaps happen, and the final look of the photo fails to impress.
Some people hire professional help to add a framer, photo editing, or simply having an experienced photographer take the pictures. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time and budget to hire skilled experts. The alternative to this is to learn some of the most effective photography techniques that experts use to produce breathtaking pieces of art.
- Make negative space.
One of the prevalent mistakes in amateur photography is the failure to use negative space effectively. Your photos do not always have to be symmetrical or evenly cornered. Don’t fret too much on the excessive amount of space above your head or the block of empty areas around your pictures’ subject. Negative space adds complexity and appeals to your photos. It would help if you learned how to play around and experiment with it.
- Don’t zoom in too much.
It’s one thing to make your subject the centrepiece of your photograph; just be careful not to overdo it. Some people zoom in too much on their subjects’ faces or features that it throws off the overall balance of the photo. If you take a picture of an art piece, take multiple photos of the object from different angles. Zoom in on the intricate details and snap photos of it from afar so that people get a better view of its entire construction. Taking pictures of a person’s face at a very short distance distorts their best features, and it also diminishes the quality of the picture.
- Use the proper amount of light.
The optimum amount of illumination instantly enhances the quality of your pictures. When you take photos indoors, use a combination of natural and artificial lighting. Natural light balances the sharpness brought by artificial indoor bulbs and lighting fixtures. It also compliments a person’s features better. If you are taking pictures outside, it is better to do it during sunrise or late afternoon. Pictures taken at the sun’s brightness can cause too much glare on your pictures, and it is also extremely uncomfortable to pose and snap photos amid extremely hot weather.
- Reflections and colours create a dynamic photo composition.
Reflections on mirrors, glass walls, or even puddles add mystery and drama to an image. It also makes your photos look multi-dimensional. Playing around with colours by adding contrasting shades or even using black and white as the main theme of your photography is a great way to make your images stand out.
- Experiment with distance and size differences
Make your photos more fun by experimenting on different angles. Here’s an example: Have one friend stand closer to the camera, while another friend stands farther away to make it seem as though one friend is humongous while the other is several sizes smaller.
- Use cut-outs as a DIY framer.
Cut out a heart, diamond, or square shape and position it as a framer in front of the camera lens. It frames your portraits uniquely and adds a creative element to it. For this technique, it is recommended that black parchment paper is used to reduce or prevent any unwanted and additional reflection on your photos.
All in all, the secret to producing great photos is genuinely enjoying the moment and allowing your ideas to flow naturally. The braver you are to try out new techniques, the easier it is for you to step out of your shell and express your passion through the images you capture.
