WORLD PHOTOGRAPHY DAY | OUR HACKS FOR CAPTURING A GREAT PHOTO

World Photography Day | Our Hacks For Capturing A Great Photo

Taking a billboard-worthy photo often takes years of practice, but don’t be disheartened, because as a newer photographer you'll find that there are some things that will dramatically improve your photography without much effort.

In celebration of World Photo Day on Friday 19th August, we asked some of our panel experts to share their greatest hack on capturing a great photo.

Tony from our Winchester branch’s ultimate tip is to always carry a camera, whatever the occasion! “The best camera is always the one you were carrying when you caught that special moment." Read this article for lots more helpful tips, to take your shots to the next level.

Gareth, Oxford Branch

Be prepared

You should prepare for the shot you want. Have the right lens fitted and make sure you have all the equipment that you need to ensure you can execute your vision.

Composition is key

Keeping your subject in the centre of the image is, on occasion, the best place to frame them, but to create a photo that’s more appealing to the eye, try to move that subject around in your viewfinder. An example of this is the rule of thirds. Simply divide your frame into 3 and try placing your subject in the left 1/3rd or right 1/3rd of the frame, instead of the middle.

Andy, Reading Branch

Check the background

Before taking wildlife photos, ALWAYS check the background, as a messy background can ruin a photo. Bright areas in the background can distract from the main subject. This is a great example, the ‘problem areas’ are highlighted in red.

Invest in a sturdy tripod

For anyone shooting landscapes, or taking photos in a low-lit environment, a tripod will become your new best friend! If you are using slow shutter speeds without a tripod, it’s very hard to keep a steady hand. A sturdy tripod will help to keep your images crisp and sharp.

Pete, Head Office

Get the right perspective

Try and get to the same level as your subject. Avoid standing and looking down when shooting small subjects, get down on the floor and see the world from their perspective. This is perfect when photographing children and animals.

Shoot in the ‘Golden Hour’

Aim to shoot early in the mornings or evenings (shortly after sunrise or before sunset) when the sun is low in the sky. With it being so low, the sun’s intensity of light is reduced, creating a softer and more directional light. This is known as the Golden Hour.

Michael, Newcastle branch

Experiment with depth of field

Fast aperture prime lenses don't have to be expensive. They are a great addition to every camera bag and really enable you to play with depth of field control and help take photography to the next level. 50mm F1.8s are great value for most cameras, especially when purchased used.

Use a telephoto lens

Longer telephoto lenses can make ideal portrait lenses, helping to blur the background and letting the subject pop more. It also helps to squeeze the background in the frame, should you wish to crop out any unwanted distractions.

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