Photo Retouch

With the price of digital photography within the grasp of nearly everyone, taking scores of pictures of nearly everything has become a fad. If you don’t like one, you have a dozen others to choose from. Gone are the days when pictures were well planned because, good or bad, each one cost you money. Unfortunately, gone also are the days when amateurs studied how to take a good picture.

The sad reality is that, far too often, when the dozens of pictures of an important event are downloaded, we discover that some key parts were never photographed well. To remedy this problem, memorize these points taken from Kodak’s website and practice them before the next important event takes place.

The first rule is, get down on the subject’s level. You may want a special effect but normally lean over, bend down, get on your knees so you can look the subject straight in the eye. If you feel like a fool doing this, remember that your injured pride will not outlast the record of the event!

Number two is, notice the background. A cluttered background will draw attention away from the subject. Also, a background could ruin an otherwise good picture. A lampshade in the wrong place may give the appearance of a goofy hat! Like a picture frame, be sure the background draws attention to the subject.

Principle number three: use a flash, even outdoors. Electronic cameras will measure the amount of light available and then will, according to the setting, choose whether or not to use the flash. When taking close subject pictures outdoors, force the camera to flash. In the sun, it will eliminate shadows on the face. In the shade, it will brighten the face.

Principle number four: move in close. Too often the photographer will fail to consider the final product when taking a picture. The result is disappointment as faces are too small to see. Move in as close as possible physically to let your subject fill to the borders. If you do this with the zoom lens, remember that the flash has a greater area to light than appears. This may or may not be good.

Principle number five: Consider turning your camera ninety degrees to capture some scenes. Since the camera takes a rectangular picture, a tall subject may well be better recorded sideways and then rotated in the camera, computer, or printer afterwards. A large family gathering should be captured horizontally, but a small family might possibly be better vertically.

Rule number six: Is the focus right? When your close subject is off center, the camera may focus on the background instead, leaving the subject blurry. To fool the camera, push the shutter button half way down as you point the camera directly at your subject. This procedure will lock the focus. Then, leaving the button half pushed, move the camera where you wanted it and take the picture. The camera will focus on the subject even though it is not in the center.

Principle number seven: Don’t always center your subject. Sometimes a special effect is accomplished by moving the subject off of center. For example, you want to take a picture of your house. Instead of the house being in the center of the picture, move the house to one side so that the driveway is included, thus inviting people to visit. Be sure to lock the focus as described above as needed when doing this.

The eighth rule is, know the parameters of your flash. Most digital cameras have built in flashes with a range of ten feet or less. Beyond that, the picture will be dark and/or grainy. And remember the zoom rule- the picture may appear close when actually the subject is beyond the range of the flash.

Principle number nine: check your light. Outdoor shots of people are best without direct sunlight. If this is unavoidable, then be sure to use the flash, as described previously. The long shadows of the early and late part of the day are best for scenic shots.

Principle number ten: be a picture director. Arrange the subjects, move to a different perspective, add some props. Don’t just take a shot; plan a shot and do it the way you want. Make your picture more than just a record of the event. Make those seeing it feel the event as well.

Following these tips will have your pictures turn out far above the norm. However, some events require a professional. If you’re interested in, or near eastern Virginia, consider the services of Del Haven Studio, an accomplished Virginia Beach maternity photographer.