How To Take Great Photographs

Keep your subject away from complicated, detailed and distracting backgrounds, even those found naturally.

Don’t be afraid to move in close. You’re looking for the most interesting angle, so consider whether you want to shoot a field of flowers, a single flower, or a tight shot of a single petal.

Take some vertical shots. It’s natural to shoot horizontally, but that’s exactly why verticals can be so striking.

When using an auto-focus camera, lock the focus on your subject and then re-frame the shot however you want. That way, your subject will always be in sharp detail.

Move the subject away from the middle. Use the rule of thirds, mentally dividing the viewing area into three vertical sections, and then keep your subjects in the left or right sections.

Consider framing your photo with something in the foreground, like an overhanging tree branch, especially if the subject is in the distance.

Watch the light and keep your subject out of the extremes—both shadows and harsh, bright light.

Tell your subjects where to move, and where to stand. They’ll like the photo more if they look good, so don’t be afraid to boss them around.

Take lots of pictures. In today’s digital age, there’s no reason to not fill up your memory card.

Don’t stop after every shot to check the digital image. Not only does it drain your battery, but it distracts you from your subject. Just trust your talents and keep shooting.