Picture Taking Tips
Improving Your Digital Photography Composition

These picture taking tips will help you understand some basic rules of composition to help you take better pictures. Simply pointing your camera and shooting a picture will not give the best photos.

Whenever you're taking pictures you need to think clearly about composition. We've discussed the rule of thirds before. Now let's look at other elements that go into good composition.

Background

Take a look at what's behind your subject. Is it something that will add to the look of the picutre? If you're using a flash be aware of any mirrors, metal or other reflective surfaces behind your subject. If any of these things are behind your subject, you should reposition yourself or your subject so the reflective objects are out of the frame. If you want them in the frame, don't use your flash.

If the background to your photo is too busy consider opening up your aperture to make your camera's depth of field shallow. Blurred backgrounds can make a nice abstract backdrop for your image.

Simplicity is often the best policy when you're composing your photos.

Foreground

The foreground is an often forgotten when talking about picture taking tips. Look around the area you will photograph. Is there something that you can put in the foreground that will add to the composition of the photo? Sometimes adding interest to the foreground of a shoot will really step up the composition. Sometimes it will distract from it. Try to test all options to decide what will work best for your specific picture.

Lines

When there are lines in your photograph coming towards the viewer it's best to have those lines end in one of the lower corners of the picture. These lines will help pull your viewer's eye into the picture.

Textures

Capturing textures in your photos adds to visual interest. Including different textures in your picture will give it depth.

Framing

Try using structures around you to frame your subject. That can give it visual interest. It can also add to the narrative of the story.

Colors

Pay attention to the colors in your photo. You may want a photo with contrasting colors or all the same colors.