Top 6 tips on getting good shots without spending a fortune on pro equipment

Ever taken a photo, the subject framed in but there seems to be something missing? Or have you taken a shot but not completely satisfied with it?

If you want to get the best shot (without spending a fortune on expensive equipment), here are some tips that are worth considering:

1. Rule of Thirds: Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid over the shot you are about to take. The points where these lines intersect are the best spot you can place your subject. That is because our eyes scan around the image, and it will look much more interesting when you apply the rule.

This rule can also be applied to represent motion. Take for instance shooting a moving car. Placing the car on the left side of the frame when it is moving from left to right or at the right otherwise, creates the illusion of motion.

1. Angles: Rather than shooting the subject from an eye level, try kneeling down or climb onto a ledge (if any) to change the angle. It is not necessary to shoot the full image of the subject unless you are taking a formal group picture.

1. Make your subject stand out: What we are trying to do here is to get the viewer’s attention directly to the subject. The best thing to do this is to blur the background creating emphasis on the subject. How can we do it you ask? By switching to macro mode. Macro mode enables the camera to focus on an object as close as 3cm enabling it to take sharper images while blurring everything behind it. Most Digital cameras and some camera phones have this function.

1. Lighting: This has got to be the most important factor in taking good pictures. The lighting must be just right. Too little light can create noise; too much light however produces an overexposed photo. Rule of thumb: never have the light behind the subject as the camera adjusts to the brightness in favor to the light source darkening the subject in front of it. This should be avoided unless intended for dramatic effect.

1. Watch the background: Be careful that the background of the photo does not have poles, telephone wires, etc. This is especially true when taking outdoor portraits. Nobody would want to see a pole sticking out of his or her head. These things create distraction and draws away attention from the subject. Be sure the background is clean with no distracting or unwanted objects in it.

1. Have fun! There’s no point in taking up photography if it is not fun. Besides, having fun taking pictures increases the odds of getting “The Shot”, and will stir up your curiosity opening up doors for learning opportunities.

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