Point and shoot cameras and phone cameras would be great if only they weren't so easy to use! The problem is that most people use them without any thought and the result is pictures that are poor and unsatisfying to look at.
After you've finished reading this article, and know what to look for, take a look at some of your friend's personal pages and websites and you will see what I mean. It's not their fault: taking good photos is a skill but, luckily, it's one that is simple and easy to learn.
One easy way to improve your photos a thousandfold is to watch out for what's behind your subject. The problem arises because, when you press the button, you only notice what you're taking - you never stop to look at the background because that's the way your eyes and your brain work.
After all, when you take the photo you know what's behind your subject and you see it in 3D which enables you to easily pick the subject out from the clutter going on behind them. Looking at a photo it's not as easy to do this, partly because it's a 2D image and partly because you only see the small amount of background that the photo shows.
So here are some simple things to watch for - keep these in mind and your photos will suddenly take a turn for the better.
Things That Grow Out of People's Heads
You've seen the pictures I mean. They're the ones where people have a pole or road sign or a TV antenna or, worse, things that look like horns 'growing' from their heads.
Don't get me wrong, for some people horns are an improvement and, if you can take photos like this, be sure to use it for that special shot but generally it is something that is not wanted.
The instant before you press the button, stop, look behind the subject at the background to check what's happening and, if necessary, move or, if something in the background is moving, pause.
Or, to totally avoid problems like this, you can also use the suggestions below.
A Quiet Background
A busy background is one where there is a lot going on, like a street scene or where the backdrop is full of shapes and colours. Quiet backgrounds are generally single colours or places where there is little colour variation and little movement.
Sometimes you only get one chance of a shot but if you are able to arrange the subject, get them to stand against the sky or stand them up against a wall or in front of something that is not colourful or busy.
In towns there are usually plenty of walls while the countryside provides both sky and views with, if you are lucky, the sea. This also produces a natural tendency to get in closer which is good since we want to see what your friends look like close up.
A background like this makes the subject stand out and so can be clearly seen. It also avoids the distraction of trying to work out what was happening behind them when the picture was taken.
Interesting Backgrounds
An alternative is a patterned background such as a patterned wall or store window or any regular shapes like fishing nets hung up to dry or a plantation of trees.
This is harder to do but can be very effective so watch out for it and try to use it in your photos. Always check the result to see if you think it is worth using again or how you might tackle that situation in the future.
If you follow these tips and think about them they will become second nature. Then you will find that your own pictures get a lot better and more satisfying and you suddenly have a reputation for a being a good photographer!
