Photography Tips & Techniques

Instructions Step 1: Find an photograph Find an opportunity for a photobomb. Look for people posing for a picture, where your presence would be grossly out of place. TIP: Weddings and parties often provide many photobombing opportunities. Step 2: Prepare to photobomb Get in position to sneak into the picture. Estimate the photographer’s likely field …

Instructions Step 1: Don’t use a flash Turn off your camera’s automatic flash to eliminate red eye. To compensate for the loss of light, go outside, turn on lights in the room, or use a slower shutter speed or camera setting that is intended for low-light photography. Step 2: Use the anti red-eye function If …

Instructions Step 1: Set up Set up everything you need — lights, setting, garnishments, etc. — before bringing out the food. Food changes after being cooked. For example, sauces congeal, or cereal gets soggy. Leave yourself time to get the perfect shot of the food rather than setting up equipment. Step 2: Study the food …

Instructions Step 1: Pick the right time of day Pick the right time of day, after sunset and before it gets totally dark. You will have a 10-minute window of perfect lighting conditions. Step 2: Include the sky in your photos Include the sky in your photos for a nice backdrop. TIP: You may need …

Instructions Step 1: Choose the right time of day Choose the right time of day so the subject of your photo is in the right position. Point the lens of your camera into the sun and position your subject facing you. TIP: If your subject is a person, positioning them is easier, since they can …

Instructions Step 1: Know that a kit lens is inferior Know that if you bought your DSLR in a kit that included a lens, chances are the lens is not going to be as good as any lens you can buy separately. Step 2: Learn about f-stop Learn that the f-stop on a lens indicates …

Instructions Step 1: Put on layers Put on several layers of warm clothing before heading out to photograph Old Man Winter. Make sure you have warm, waterproof boots, gloves, a hat, and a coat — you can’t take pictures with frostbite. TIP: Wear thick mittens over thin gloves, so when you’re ready to shoot your …

Instructions Step 1: Bring 2 cameras Take 2 cameras on your trip. Bring one that takes good quality photos and has lots of storage, like a digital SLR, and another that’s portable, like a disposable film camera or camera phone, so you never miss a shot. TIP: Pack a spare memory card and battery if …

Instructions Step 1: Look at the lines Look at any square images in the photo, like road signs. Natural photos don’t contain perfect 90-degree angles–but computers even them out. Step 2: Find patterns Look for recurring images–like the same cloud pattern or a group of people that is repeated elsewhere in the crowd. This indicates …

Instructions Step 1: Choose the correct aperture to blur a busy background. Step 2: Get down on their level Get down on the same level as the cat. Avoid shooting your photos looking down at the cat. Step 3: Capture personality Capture the cat’s personality. If you have a fat, lazy cat, set up your …

Instructions Step 1: Pack light Pack light — less is more when you’re communing with nature. All you need is a camera with manual settings — an SLR or an advanced point-and-shoot — a tripod to help stabilize your shots, and extra batteries and memory cards. Step 2: Get phenomenal light Skip the snooze button …

Instructions Step 1: Download a video software Download a free video still extractor program. For Windows users, VLC Media Player supports all video file types. For Mac users, imToo Video to Picture supports all video file types. Step 2: Install software Install the software that you have downloaded and save it in your program files. …

Instructions Step 1: Mount the camera Mount the camera on the tripod. Step 2: Create a composition Create the photo’s composition using yourself as the model by employing elements of design such as lines, texture, and patterns. These will draw the eye to yourself as the composition focal point. TIP: Include personal belongings in the …

Instructions Step 1: Make the lens hood Cut a strip of the paperboard and wrap it around the lens to make a lens hood for the camera. Step 2: Trace the lens Place the lens on the paper, trace its outline, and cut out the traced circle. TIP: You can cut the circle to fit …

Instructions Step 1: Scout the location Scout your location to get a feel for the landscape. Explore the best spots and angles to shoot. TIP: For popular landscapes, check out the photographs that have already been taken. Step 2: Focus on a point of interest Select a point of interest. Think about the qualities of …

Instructions Step 1: Take sleepy pictures Take pictures in the morning after the baby has been fed for sleepy, contented-looking shots. Step 2: Use natural light Use indirect natural light. For example, take pictures by a west-facing window during the morning hours, or outdoors about an hour or two before sunset. TIP: Stay low and …

Instructions Step 1: Prepare the clothespin and pushpin Using the rotary tool and the cutoff wheel, trim 1/2 inch off one side of the closed end of the clothespin. Cut off the metal tack of the pushpin, leaving only the plastic casing. Step 2: Attach the clothespin to the camera With the camera facing you, …

Instructions Step 1: Analyze the group Quickly analyze the group. Do a mental lineup according to family ties, height, age, and affiliations. Step 2: Choose location Choose your location and backdrop, either in a cozy area or outside. TIP: If you don’t have a professional lighting system, try to select a location that maximizes natural, …

Instructions Step 1: Brush first Use a blower brush to remove dust and dirt. If you don’t have a blower brush, use an ear syringe. Next, brush the lens with a camel hair lens brush. Step 2: Wipe second Breathe on the lens; then wipe off smudges with a lens cloth or lens tissue. If …

Instructions : When shooting on location, special permits or permission may be required. Check with the property owner or governing body at your specific location for details and requirements. Step 1: Scout for interesting angles and light Once you have a location, scout for specific angles and interesting natural light. You can do this alone …

Instructions Step 1: Steel yourself Steel yourself; getting a large group of people to do anything is hard, and getting them to listen to a photographer is damn near impossible. Step 2: Analyze the group Quickly analyze the group to be shot. Do a mental lineup according to height, affiliations, and order of importance according …

Instructions Step 1: Clean the box Clean out the inside of the oatmeal box, making sure no oatmeal dust or oats are left inside. Step 2: Remove top and bottom Remove the plastic top and bottom from the oatmeal box. Step 3: Glue the bottom Add a bead of white glue around the lip of …

Instructions Step 1: Decide portrait type Decide what type of portrait you want to take: headshot, bust, torso, three-quarter, or full length. Step 2: Mount camera Mount your camera on the tripod. Step 3: Arrange set Arrange the set to suit your preference. Step 4: Position subject Choose where you want your subject either to …

Instructions Step 1: Take a deep breath Take a deep breath. Step 2: Discuss images with parent Discuss with the parent or guardian what type of images they want. Step 3: Introduce yourself to child Introduce yourself to the child making sure you use your sweetest, happiest, non-scariest voice that you can possibly muster. Step …

Instructions Step 1: Shoot level with subject Shoot level with your subject. Being too far above or below can make your shot impersonal and less interesting. Step 2: Avoid busy backgrounds Keep your subject away from complicated, detailed and distracting backgrounds, even those found naturally. TIP: Watch out for objects that could look like they’re …

Instructions Step 1: Find her good side While introducing yourself to your subject, take a good look at her facial characteristics from all sides – identify her ‘good side.’ Step 2: Flatter her Flatter her. Anything works – even ridiculous compliments. The goal is to keep her relaxed and bring out sincere smiles. Step 3: …

Instructions Step 1: Select subject Select a subject and ask permission to shoot a portrait. Step 2: Select scene Select a scene in which to shoot the person. TIP: You can choose props and locations that help showcase the subject’s personality. Step 3: Attach telephoto lens Attach a long telephoto lens, such as an 80- …

Instructions : Wild animals can be extremely dangerous. Never get out of your safari vehicle to get closer to an animal just for the shot; try using a longer lens. Step 1: Research possible animals Do a little research to find out what type of animals you will most likely encounter. Faster animals call for …

Instructions Step 1: Tie string to your camera Take a strong piece of string that is a little longer than you are tall and tie it to the part underneath the camera where it attaches to a tripod. TIP: If you can’t tie the string directly to your camera, tie it to a quarter-inch bolt …

Instructions Step 1: Choose his good side While introducing yourself to your subject, take a good look at his facial characteristics from all sides–discreetly. Identify his ‘good side,’ but don’t tell him. Step 2: Pick what to enhance or minimize Quickly decide on what features you want to minimize or enhance. Step 3: Reassure him …

Instructions Step 1: Select your model Select a model that is willing to pose for you. TIP: Try to look for models with interesting or unique facial characteristics, for example, large eyes. Step 2: Brief your model Brief your model on the concept and storyline — the more the model understands your idea, the better. …

Instructions : When wielding a knife, razor blade, saw, or drill, always use extreme caution. Step 1: Halve the tennis ball Take an old tennis ball—one that has lost its bounce—and cut it in half with a knife, scissors, razor blade, or saw. Step 2: Mark out the first foot Take a pen and, at …

Instructions Step 1: Decide on type of nude image First decide on what type of nude images you want to shoot. Frontal? Partially obscured? Something else? TIP: Try to imagine that you’ve never seen the human body before and attempt to find new ways to approach this subject. Step 2: Select appropriate model Select a …

Instructions Step 1: Put on sunglasses Put on your sunglasses—you don’t want to hurt your own eyes. Step 2: Pick subject Decide on what subject you wish to shoot. Step 3: Position your back toward the sun and your subject Position yourself according to the orientation of the sun, with your back toward the sun …

Instructions Step 1: Analyze scene Analyze the scene, noting the amount of light present and the subject matter you will be shooting. You will be choosing an ISO based on these shooting conditions. TIP: The term ‘ISO’ refers to how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light present. Step 2: Medium-lit interiors …

Instructions Step 1: What shutter speed is Shutter speed denotes how long the shutter is held open to allow light to reach the film or, in a digital camera, the image sensor. TIP: Along with the aperture—or the opening in the lens—shutter speed regulates how much light the camera will record. Step 2: Determine shot …

Instructions Step 1: Check your batteries Make sure you have fresh batteries in both your camera and flash. Step 2: Mount the flash Take your camera and mount the flash on the hot shoe, the area directly on top of the camera that will accept the flash foot. Step 3: Tighten the flash Tighten the …

Instructions Step 1: Arrange set & still life Begin to arrange the set and still life. Step 2: Mount camera on tripod Mount your camera on the tripod. Step 3: Arrange backdrop If you’re using a backdrop, arrange the backdrop behind the arrangement at a minimum of 6 feet away from the subject. TIP: Your …

Instructions Step 1: Pick a subject Identify a subject. Step 2: Pick up camera and set to lowest ISO Pick up your camera and for digital camera users, select the lowest possible ISO for the current lighting conditions. TIP: Long exposures and high ISO tend to have more noise or digital grain than shorter exposures …

Instructions Step 1: Turn off auto mode Take your camera off auto mode and select either aperture-priority or manual mode. TIP: A great way to learn aperture is in aperture-priority mode, where you choose the aperture and the camera sets the appropriate shutter speed. Step 2: Select focal point Look at your subject and select …

Instructions Step 1: Choose your clothes When choosing your clothes, leave bright colors, crazy patterns, and horizontal stripes in the closet. Neutral colors look best. Step 2: Check your face Check your face in the mirror: Do you have any blemishes you could cover, or greasy skin that needs powdering? Could your eyes use some …