Tips you can use without knowing anything about photography

If you find that your photo albums attract more dust than attention, maybe your photos lack a lasting punch. You’ll be delighted to learn that taking good photographs, even with a disposable camera, is easy and possible for you with these tips.

Photography means “drawing with light.” That’s exactly what you’re doing every time you press the shutter button; light touches the film and an image is recorded. Most bad photos are too bright or too dark (overexposed or underexposed), or blurred. The best lighting for taking a well-exposed photo is usually average lighting, the kind you usually see when you step outside in the middle of the day.

Lighting
For most situations, consider using full program mode or the landscape setting on your camera, as these will probably expose best in average or common lighting situations. For other lighting situations, like portraits with a strong back light, or subjects in the shade, most current cameras have several built-in functions, or “scene modes,” to help you get good photos. If you’re in low light—under a tree, indoors, outside at dusk—try setting your camera to its low light mode, which may be represented by a picture of a candle, clouds, or even stars. We’ll discuss using flash in a bit.

If you’re in very bright light—at the beach or somewhere where lots of light is being reflected, like a shimmering city street—there’s probably a bright light setting on your camera that will adjust exposure for a good shot; it might be depicted by a sun symbol, for example. Full auto should also work well. Flash can help fill in shadows on your subject that are created by bright light, but only try this if the subject is within about 15 feet, which is maximum range of most built-in flashes. Pay attention to light that seems to fall evenly across the scene.

Composition
Even if you’re a full auto shooter, composition is an easy thing you can control to get better photos. To make your photos stand out, consider arranging your subject, whenever possible, so that he or she is doing something, besides smiling at the camera. Try to convey an emotion, mood, or feeling in your photos. Pose the subject with a thoughtful glance out into the ocean or sky. Avoid composing any subject in the center of the frame. Always look for the interesting shot, angle, pattern, or lighting. Sometimes tilting the camera to the right or left will lend an interesting angle to the picture; just remember that the final image will be tilted opposite to the way you hold the camera.

Tours
If you’re on a tour bus or any vehicle with windows, consider that a shot from behind a window, especially if it’s streaked with rain, may not turn out to be too exciting. The camera might even focus on the glass instead of the scene beyond it. Also, think twice when shooting in fog, in which case there won’t be enough contrast for your subject to stand out. In most interior spaces, like museums, you’ll probably want to use flash. If you’re very close to the subject, hold a Kleenex or transparent material over the flash (but not the lens) to diffuse the light so it won’t wash out the photo or create a bright spot. If your camera has a built in flash (basically any camera except a disposable one) your photo will probably turn out fine if you are within five to 15 feet of the subject. Keep in mind that flash will illuminate anything between you and the subject.

Flying
If you’re a frequent flyer, remember that X-rays will destroy film (but not digital film). The only ways to prevent that are to have film checked by hand. Printing homemade film labels that say “Sensitive. Do Not X-Ray” can be helpful. You can even fudge a fake company name to look more official. Another way to skip X-rays is to send your film home by mail. Never leave your camera out of your sight. Your equipment and images are too valuable to risk losing. Carry them on the plane.

The last bit of advice for any photographer is when in doubt, always take the shot. Some of my best photos exist only in my memory because I didn’t listen to myself. No matter what forces are trying to prevent you from getting the shot, do your best to get it. It might be the best shot of the entire trip.

The reason people tend to flip through albums like a deck of cards is because, like a deck of cards, there’s nothing new to see. The pictures of the same faces smiling at the camera are as boring as the numbers on the faces of cards. Keep these tips in mind when you travel, and your vacation photos should be a lot more eye-catching. You may even find yourself having a higher appreciation for the art of photography, in which case, explore!