Pick any iconic subject, the Great Pyramids for example, and I m sure you ve seen countless photographs. Only a few will stand out from the crowd, captivating the viewer. Some photographers have the rare talent of transforming the image they see through the lens of their camera into a vision that supersedes what the naked eye sees. Learning a few simple techniques can help you take great pictures. Here are a few photography tips from www.kodak.com: Make eye contact. Just as in real life, direct eye contact can be as engaging in a picture. When you are taking the photo, hold the camera at your subject s eye level, that angle will create a personal and inviting feeling that pulls you into the picture. Use a plain background. To make your subject stand out use a plain background. And pay close attention to the area around your subject, avoid any objects - like light poles or plants for instance - that may look like they re growing out of his head. On a sunny day, turn on your flash. Avoid unattractive facial shadows created by bright sun by using a flash to lighten your subject s face. Get up close and personal. If your subject is smaller than a car, take a step or two closer before taking the picture and zoom in on your subject, recommends Kodak. The objective is to fill the picture area with your subject to reveal the details that will give the photograph a personal touch. But don t get too close or your pictures will be blurry, warns Kodak. Be sure to find out what the closest focusing distance for your camera is, or your picture may come out blurry. Move away from the middle. The center of the photograph is not necessarily the best placement for your subject. Kodak suggests moving your subject away from the middle. Imagine a tick-tack-toe grid in your viewfinder. Now place your important subject at one of the intersections of lines. It s all about lighting, lighting, lighting. Light is the most crucial element to any photography. On a great-grandmother, bright sunlight from the side can enhance wrinkles. But the soft light of a cloudy day can subdue those same wrinkles, Kodak explains. If you don t like the lighting on your subject, move. Try taking vertical pictures. All sorts of things look better in a vertical picture, notes the tips from Kodak. So try turning your camera sideways next time you take a photo. Sit in the director s chair. Don t be a passive photographer. Get involved in your pictures by taking control of your subjects. Pick the location, use props, arrange your subjects, and take action.
