1) Get down on their level.
- Hold your camera at the subjects eye level to capture the power of those gazes and mesmerizing smiles
2) Use a plain background.
- Before taking a picture, check the area behind your subject
- a cluttered background will be distracting; plain backgrounds emphasizes the subject
3) Use flash outdoors.
- Using flash improves the pictures
- In bright sunlight, it will lighten the dark shadows under the eyes and nose
- Mostly used on cloudy days to brighten up faces and make them stand out
4) Move in close.
- To create pictures full of impact, move in close and fill your picture with the subject
- Move a few steps closer or zoom in; this eliminates background distractions and shows details on your pictures
5) Take some vertical pictures.
- Many subjects look better in a vertical picture
- Make a conscious effort to turn your camera sideways
6) Lock the focus.
- Lock the focus to create a sharp picture of off-center subjects
- Center the subject.
- Press the shutter bar halfway down
- Reframe your picture while still holding the shutter button
- Finish by pressing the button all the way
7) Move it from the middle.
- Bring pictures to life by placing your subject off center
- Lock the focus on your subject before re-framing
8) Know your flash’s range.
- Pictures taken beyond maximum flash range will be too dark
- If the subject is further than ten feet/4 steps away, the picture may be too dark
9) Watch the light.
- Study the effects of the light in your pictures
- Scenic pictures use long shadows and color of early and late daylight
- Avoid overhead sunlight which causes harsh shadows over the faces
10) Be a picture director.
- Add some props, rearrange your subjects, or try a different view point
- Bring subjects together and let their personalities shine
Kodak 10 Tips