You know the feeling. Something brilliant happens, you grab your camera, take a few photos and expect at least one of them to capture the moment perfectly. Then you look at the results and wonder why the scene somehow looked so much better in real life.
Sometimes the problem is the equipment, particularly when you're trying to photograph fast movement, difficult lighting or distant subjects. Having access to high-quality digital cameras can certainly give you more control, but equipment alone won't turn an ordinary photo into a memorable one. How you use your camera matters just as much.
The good news is that you don't need years of photography experience to improve. Many disappointing photos are caused by a handful of simple habits that are surprisingly easy to correct.
Placing the main subject directly in the middle of every photograph is an easy habit to develop. It feels natural because that's where we tend to point the camera.
But perfectly centred subjects can sometimes make an image feel static. Try imagining your frame divided into a three-by-three grid. Instead of automatically placing your subject in the centre, position it near one of the points where those lines intersect.
This technique, commonly called the rule of thirds, isn't something you have to follow for every photograph. Centred compositions can look fantastic when you're photographing symmetrical scenes, for example. The important thing is to think about where you're placing the subject rather than simply pointing and shooting.
You've taken a beautiful family photo and then notice a rubbish bin in the background. Or perhaps a tree appears to be growing directly out of someone's head.
Backgrounds are incredibly easy to overlook because you're concentrating on the person or object you're photographing. Unfortunately, distracting elements can quickly take attention away from your subject.
Before pressing the shutter, spend a second scanning the entire frame. Look for:
Signs, bins and parked cars
People walking through the background
Bright objects that draw the eye
Poles, trees or other objects directly behind someone's head
Often, moving yourself or your subject just a few steps is enough to create a much cleaner photograph.
Many people photograph moments rather than subjects. They see something happening, raise the camera and take the photo from wherever they happen to be standing.
The result can be a photograph where the important part occupies only a tiny section of the frame.
If it's safe and practical, move closer. A child's expression, the details of a birthday cake or the excitement on someone's face can tell the story far better than a wide shot containing lots of empty space.
You don't have to eliminate the surroundings entirely. Include enough context to show where the moment is happening, but make sure viewers can immediately tell what they're supposed to be looking at.
Light can completely change the mood and quality of a photograph.
One common mistake is assuming that more light automatically means better photos. Harsh midday sunlight, for example, can create deep shadows around people's eyes and make everyone squint.
When photographing people outdoors, look for soft, even light. Moving into open shade can often produce a more flattering result than standing directly in bright sunlight.
Indoors, pay attention to windows. Positioning someone near a window can provide beautiful natural light, while placing a bright window directly behind them may leave their face looking too dark.
Instead of simply asking, "Is there enough light?", start asking, "Where is the light coming from?"
Real life doesn't hold still for photographs.
People blink. Children turn their heads. Dogs suddenly look away. Someone starts talking just as you press the shutter.
Taking one photograph and hoping you've captured the perfect fraction of a second unnecessarily reduces your chances of getting a great shot.
Take several photos when something important is happening, particularly when photographing groups, children, pets or movement. You don't need hundreds of nearly identical images. A short sequence may be enough to capture the split second when everyone looks relaxed and natural.
Just remember to sort through them afterwards. Keeping 30 almost identical photos makes finding your favourites unnecessarily difficult.
Most photographs are taken from roughly the same height: wherever the photographer's eyes happen to be.
Changing your position can immediately make an ordinary scene more interesting.
If you're photographing a young child or pet, crouch down to their level. When photographing food or objects on a table, try shooting directly from above. For a landscape, moving slightly lower might bring flowers, rocks or another foreground element into the composition.
You don't need unusual angles simply for the sake of being different. The aim is to find the viewpoint that tells the story best.
Better photography isn't necessarily about learning complicated settings or carrying expensive equipment everywhere you go. Often, the biggest improvement comes from becoming more deliberate before pressing the shutter.
Look at the background. Notice the direction of the light. Move closer. Change your angle. Take an extra photograph when the moment matters.
These small decisions only take seconds, but they can make the difference between a photo you scroll past and one that brings the entire moment back every time you see it.
Supriyo Khan
Supriyo Khan
Supriyo Khan
Supriyo Khan
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