3 Ways to Take Better Photos

Whether you're taking photos for editorial purposes or you're looking to make your social profiles pop, here are some simple tips to take better photos.

1) Lighting Matters

Light is arguably the most important element of photography. The way light reflects off of our subjects can make them seem older or younger. It can make them look mysterious or charming. But in general, you want to keep your subject well lit. To do that, here is a quick guide to help you identify flattering light.

Photo Credit: DIY Photography, May 2018

There are many light sources here, yes. But I want you to focus on finding at least two light sources for your photos. Make sure the light isn't casting any harsh shadows. If it is, move your subject closer to the light. One tip I like to use when shooting outside is using the trees to diffuse the light into a soft backlighting on the subject. This can instantly turn your amateur photo into something professional.

Here we have two light sources: the sun and the fog. The fog is diffusing and reflecting the light to create an ethereal effect.

2) Composition

I'm not here to give you an entire photography lesson, but it it important to have some knowledge of composition. An easy one to remember is the Rule of Thirds. Essentially, this rule means you're lining up subjects and important elements of the photo with the lines divvying up the scene in thirds. You can see how this is done with the image below.

Like margins, commas, and periods tell your eyes where to go, composition helps accomplish the same. With art and photography, we have to use something other than those marks to tell a story. Doing this will create a good flow in your photos, and more people will be attracted to them.

3) Focus On Movement

This is more of a preference, but I've found more movement = more engagement. This is key for social media. It's important to have that "Wait a minute!" moment where the user stops scrolling to see what your post is about. With that said, here are some ideas to incorporate movement in your photography.

This is movement in a portrait setting. You can see the young man jumping with a positive look on his face which is illuminated by a Golden Hour lighting scenario.

Fabric is a really interesting subject. It can blow in the wind or fold in a certain way to suggest movement. The composition in this photo frames the girl's face very well.

The great photography teacher, Chris Orwig, says "Get in closer!" When in doubt, you SHOULD get closer. If I had taken this photo 30 ft away, you wouldn't have been able to see the movement of the droplets. The droplets almost add a contemplative nature to the wild vastness of the ocean.

So get going, start shooting, and start creating! Practice will always be your best teacher.

References

“A Comprehensive Guide to Corporate Headshot Photography - DIY Photography.” DIY Photography, 31 May 2018, www.diyphotography.net/a-comprehensive-guide-to-corporate-headshot-photography/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2020.

“Rule of Thirds in Photography.” Digital Photography School, 2 May 2006, digital-photography-school.com/rule-of-thirds/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2020.

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