Digital Photography Tricks to Improve Your Photos!

Portraits can be improved greatly with just a few simple adjustments.

One way to improve a portrait is to have the subject tilt their head to the side. Even better yet, have them rotate their body to the side and then look at the camera. Straight on views tend to look flat and the angle of their body will give more depth to the picture.

Another digital photography trick that can improve your photography is putting the model at ease. If you know the model, try and talk about things before you get shooting. Don't just walk up and start clicking pictures. If you the model is more relaxed, they will appear less rigid and more natural. You can also take this time to review your surroundings to come up with some great backdrops or poses for the picture.

One of the great digital photography tricks that will add an "angelic" effect to your pictures is to have the model positioned so that light from the sun is hitting their back. If you are positioned correctly, their hair should light up from behind. This does take some planning, because the sun needs to be at the correct location. This technique won't work if it's directly overhead.

Also, if you want your models to look slimmer, get above them. Never take a portrait from below if your model is concerned with looking overweight. If you are lower than the model's head, when they look down, it could create a double chin.

If you are trying to get more of the models personality into the photo, take pictures with objects that they identify with. Do they play an instrument, what about a sport. Add objects to have more detail about the person. It makes it more personal.

Lastly, change your point of view. (This is good for just about any photograph) Get directly above them. Zoom in where you only see a portion of their face. Any way to add interest, by taking a picture that is not a usual pose. I know it sounds cliché, but think outside the box!

Use some or all of these digital photography tricks to improve your next portrait shoot!

Can I be honest with you? You can search for photography tricks on the internet and find a lot of good information, but I have found that it is still lacking. If you truly want to take pictures like a pro, you either need to take a class or purchase some books. Don't get me wrong, you can improve your photos greatly with techniques found on the internet, but they will leave you short.

To really learn digital photography, I highly recommend this wonderful guide that will have you producing professional results in no time, even if you know nothing about photography or have never used a digital camera. It is the total package and a lot cheaper than taking classes. You also have the guide to refer back to in the future.

It also comes with a 100% money back guarantee and includes valuable bonuses!

Amy will have you taking professional quality photographs in just 14 days!

So, you think that you need a $1,000 camera in order to take advantage of these digital photography tricks? Well, that is not necessarily so, but let's look at the differences in cameras:

• Disposable: These are film cameras, do you still remember them? They are the true "Point and Shoot". You look through the veiw finder, click the button and advance the film. That's it. Simple right?



• Digital Point and Shoot: (I won't go over the film version here) These have improved so much over the years. Most have a viewfinder, but also an LCD screen where you can review the picture you just took (did aunt Bea have her eyes open?). Most have the capability to zoom and have a built in flash. You can insert a memory card and all (as far as I can tell) have the ability to upload to a computer. Some have special settings for; backlit, panoramic, night, sports, portrait and a few others. These settings help tell the camera what type of effect you are looking for and it adjusts it's shutter speed and aperature accordingly. There are a few that can be adjusted manually by the user, but most are all automatic. The lens cannot be changed.



• Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR): (Again, I won't go over the film version here) These are the cream of the crop for photographers. These are the large cameras that you see professionals dragging around. Some offer the automatic settings modes, but that is not what they are designed for. Photographers love them because they are manually adjustable. On the newer models just about everything is adjustable; shutter speed, aperature, ISO (film speed), white balance, focus...the list just goes on and on. They have an LCD screen, like the point and shoot, so that the photographer can review their pictures.
  
  The main advantage to the DSLR is it's ability to change lens and flashes. This gives the photographer unlimited resources to change the look of any picture they take.
  
  The really nice thing about DSLR is that their price keeps coming down and the technology keeps getting better. The consumer level models are wonderful and powerful.



• Phone Cameras: Just about every model of cellphone now comes with a camera. These are very limited in their options. Most camera phones can zoom and that's about it. After you take the picture, they have some editing software. A few have flashes as well. I have found the overall quality of the pictures to be lacking, especially in low light situations.



• Medium and Large Format Cameras: These are the large and extra large versions of the DSLR. The truly professionals use these.

All Text and Pictures: © Russell Roberds 2009