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APPENDIX A
A p p e n d i x A : T i p s A b o u t P h o t o s
You’ll get the best results when you start with a better photo. If you haven’t taken the
photo yet, or have several photos to choose from, these guidelines may help you take
better photos or decide which photos can be successfully cleaned up.
•
A good time to shoot outdoors is early in the morning and late afternoon to avoid
harsh shadows.
•
Avoid taking out of focus shots by holding the camera steady and squeezing the
shutter button gently. Faster film speeds allow you to capture faster action. Many
newer auto-focus cameras allow you to depress the shutter button part way to
auto-focus the picture, then press all of the way to take the shot.
•
If you shoot a picture closer than your camera’s minimum focusing distance (check
the camera’s manual), your picture will be out of focus.
•
When shooting with a flash, you should stay within the same range as the flash
which is typically between five and 12 feet from your subject.
•
If you are shooting on film, choose a film speed appropriate for the subject and
location. For example, if you are taking pictures of a ball game, you might want to
use 200 ISO, however if the conditions are dark or the action is rapid, a 400 ISO
film may be a better choice.
•
When composing a photo, avoid cutting off part of the subject. For example, don’t
cut the top of the head off the tallest person in the group. You can also use the
“golden rule” to create a more aesthetic image. Mentally divide the image you see
through the viewfinder into thirds. Then try to place the subject in the first or last
third of the image, while balancing the image with the other two thirds.
The golden rule for composing photos.
Try to make sure
your central figure
is at one of these
intersections.
