It’s true, there is something special and unique about professional photographs.  The light, the editing, the framing of the shot…if you find the right photographer they can create a moment that you didn’t even know was there.

But what about everyday photography?  Can it be special too?  People often say things to me like “I could never get the same kind of shot you get” or “I’m lucky to get a shot that doesn’t have my finger in it!”.  Are you one of those people who thinks they have the shot nailed when they are taking it, then you look at the back of the camera and it just didn’t turn out that way?  You aren’t alone.

Here are 3 simple tips you can use to make your photographs a little better each time you are out:

1. Eliminate distractions. One mistake people make is trying to get all the action in the picture.  Photography is more about eliminating distractions in a scene than it is about getting as much as you can in one shot.  Find a point of interest and try to set up the shot to compliment that one thing.
2. Be ready. This one especially applies to children.  You have to have the camera ready to go when you want to get the shot.  Make sure you are on the mode you want and that you are zoomed appropriately before the moment happens.  I try to show up 15-30 minutes early for shoots just to get all my settings and equipment exactly how I want them BEFORE the client shows up.  Obviously you won’t do this with your family but it illustrates the importance of being ready for the shot.  There have been times when the sweetest moment of the shoot is when the family is getting out of the car and getting ready to get their picture taken.  If I wasn’t prepared I would miss those all together.
3. Be a composer. I know this sounds weird when talking about photography, but it is so important.  In photography there is a rule that works pretty well…it’s called the “Rule of Thirds”.  Envision that your photograph is broken up into three sections from left to right and three sections from top to bottom.  All in all, there are 9 squares that are created when you do this.  Most of the time your point interest should come at or close to the cross section of two of these lines.  Don’t worry, there’s a picture below for the visual learners like me:)

Here is a couple of examples that illustrate all three of these tips.  Both pictures are from a trip I took with some friends to Africa.  Both were taken with a point and shoot.  I chose these shots because one is an “in the moment” shot and one is a scenic shot and both were taken with an inexpensive camera.  Basically, I chose them to show you that YOU CAN DO IT TOO!

The photograph above was taken while on safari.  There was tons of stuff in that area that I could have included in this shot but I thought the simplicity of the bird and the dead tree was plenty.   Also, the point of interest (the bird) is in the vicinity of the crossing of the far right “third line” and the top “third line”.

This photograph was taken on the way to the safari.  We were in the middle of the African plains when we got not 1 but 2 flat tires (and then another 2 on the way back!).  As you can see, while everyone else was working I was snapping away…I didn’t say being a photographer was going to make you any friends:)  The point of interest is at the bottom left of the photograph near the crossing of the left third line and the bottom third line.   If you look at the photograph, 6-7 “squares” are without any interesting content but they allow you eye to move right to the point of interest.

There are plenty of other little tips and rules to help make you a better photographer but these are pretty easy to pick up and implement.  Maybe next week we’ll explore 3 more.

*If you really want to learn how to a better amateur photographer I have a friend and brilliant photographer who leads an online workshop for just such a thing.  I’m sure she would love to have you in her next open seat!  Check out 503 Photography‘s “Wannabe Workshop” (I don’t know if that’s really the name, just sounded good).

**If you want to book Fyrefly Photography for a Wedding, Engagement, Family Portrait, Senior Portrait, Kids Portrait or anything else you can visit our website at Fyrefly.com or email us here.