This is not a photography site but as you may have noticed, I use many photos to illustrate my posts. I try to continually learn and improve my photo skills primarily by watching what the pros do.

The following basic techniques will help make your photos stand out from the countless snap shots most amateur photographers take.

1. Experiment with Angles and Perspectives
Get above or below your subject instead of always shooting at eye level. Catch your subject doing something or staring away from the camera.

2. Energy and Motion

Use diagonal lines to create the illusion of motion. Diagonal lines can be found both in nature and man-made objects like fences, bridges and streets.

Photo credit: Philippe Le Jeune

The photo of the young photographer, shown before, also features diagonal lines. Notice even the arm of the young photographer is parallel to the other diagonal lines in the photo. The diagonal lines in these photos add energy and movement to them.

3. Photograph People
Including people will enhance your outdoor shots by adding realism and perspective. Without people, many of the outdoor shots on this site would lack those essential elements.

Watching these swimmers makes me want to jump in the water.

4. Lighting
Avoid taking photographs at noon. The best light is present early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Unless you have some cloud or tree cover, avoid shooting in the bright noon sun.

This photo, though properly composed, is a bit overexposed because I took it around noon time. Due to the intense light, the rocks look a bit washed out. The same shot taken early in the morning or later in the afternoon would have been perfect. (It’s not a terrible photo but it could be improved. Learn from my mistake).

5. Use the Rule of Thirds
When taking a photo mentally divide the image into thirds as shown below. Your camera may have an option that allows you to display grids, if not, take several shots and practice this technique.

The objective is to place the subject of interest at any of the four intersection points shown above, away the from center. (I must confess I’m still working on perfecting this technique but I’m getting better at it).

When photographing the ocean or any scene with a horizon, place the horizon line on one of the horizontal thirds. (I failed to place the horizon properly in this example but at least the boat is not right in the middle of the frame. The horizon placement however is correct on # 4 above, right on the top 3rd of the frame).

With practice you’ll acquire the habit of framing images using the Rule of Thirds.

6. Take lots of photos
This is by far the easiest and most effective way to increase the likelihood of taking a great shot. Thanks to digital cameras, you can take dozens of photos each day increasing yours chance of capturing some above average shots.

If possible, try photographing a subject at different times of the day and from different angles.

Even if you only have a basic point and shoot digital camera (like I do) using one or more of these techniques will go a long way towards improving the quality of your photos.

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Filed under: Practical Information