Taking Good Photos: What's The Secret to Getting Quick Results?

What? I thought I'd first have to upgrade my camera, or buy a fancy slr with a bunch of lenses.

Nope.

Make better use of your eyes in setting up pictures before you take them.

The problem is that most people don't really know how to use their eyes in ways that will help them set up good photos before they ever snap the picture.

Here are some tips to get you started right now.

Visit Learn Digital Photography Now and learn all the techniques you need for taking good photos.

I've laid a grid over this photo which divides the space into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. It looks just like a tic tac toe pattern.

Here's tip #1: When you set up your photo, put your main subject or key point of interest on one of the Rule of Thirds lines. Better yet, make the central point of interest right where the the horizontal line and vertical lines intersect.

This kind of placement is pleasing to the eye. Just for practice, take another look at pictures you like, or at great works of art. Very often you will see this Rule of Thirds being applied.

So, step one in taking better photos is to start using the Rule of Thirds in setting up your next photos.

Of course, just like any "rule," it should not be used all time. Pull it out of your photo tool bag, and use it whenever it makes sense for the composition of your picture.

So, what's another way you can train your eye to set up better photos?

Visit Learn Digital Photography Now and learn all the techniques you need for taking good photos.

People take certain kinds of pictures out of habit. They know they want a picture of the kids or the family, so they line everyone up and snap away.

You get everybody in, but the faces are so small, that the annual family holiday pictures look just like last year's.

Break the mold and try Tip #2: Get in close or zoom way in for a tight close up.

If the person you are shooting is a little shy, just stand back and make use of the zoom to get a tight shot of the face.

Take a whole bunch of pictures. You may take 20 to get one or two good ones. It will be worth it as you start to take photos that everyone remembers.

Visit Learn Digital Photography Now and learn all the techniques you need for taking good photos.

Understanding how to use light is SUCH an important factor in taking good photos. It's all part of training your eye to see good photos before you take them.

Tip #3: Look for the Reflection

Reflections are everywhere once you start looking for them. Any shiny surface like water, ice, metal are obvious places to look.

Don't forget to go small as well. How about the reflections from a tiny drop of water off a flower? Perfect... find that and you've got another good chance to take a picture worth remembering.

Visit Learn Digital Photography Now and learn all the techniques you need for taking good photos.