One of the biggest mistakes is including way too much in the picture...
It would be safe to guess that almost every home in America has at least one camera. Whether digital, 35mm or video, the vast majority of the population has taken photos or videos on a casual basis. If casual photography isn't your style, here are some expert tips for taking photographs as good as the pros.
Get Creative With Poses
For years we've all heard that posed photos are a bad thing: that we should aim for the spontaneous shots. That's simply not true. What was bad was the type of posing people chose! Think creatively. Photography school instructors encourage students to place people in familiar surroundings doing unusual things. For instance, rather than having your three children sitting at the end of a bed shoulder-to-shoulder, pose them lying on the bed with their chins in their hands.
Rather than an ordinary side-by-side mom-and-daughter shot, pose mom and daughter nose-to-nose. Photography school graduates will tell you that a talent for creative posing is one of the most sought-after attributes any professional can have.
Know Your Equipment
Those who hold a photography degree are quick to point out how vital it is to know your equipment. Whether you choose to take pictures with a video, 35mm or digital camera, you must have a good understanding of the settings, features and abilities of that camera.
While many may cringe at the thought, it's always a great idea to read your user's manual. You may be missing valuable information on how to use special features that could make a big difference in the quality of your pictures.
