7 Ways to Take Better Photos
by Samantha Conner
Photos have always been magical to me. I love how time can be frozen. With a quick click, a memory can be preserved forever. In high school, I took photojournalism. We learned to process actual film in a dark room. Watching my images slowly appear on that glossy white paper got me hooked. Since that time, I have been a ‘documenter’. Our life, our adventures- big and small- they all end up in my camera.
I used to collect all those photos in scrapbook after scrapbook. But the gluing, cutting and stickers became too time consuming. I found myself dreading it. So I started a family blog—a place to preserve the photos and all of our stories. At the end of each year, I print my blog and have it bound into a coffee table book. It’s a great way to ‘save’ memories.
That instant sharing of photos and ideas then led to the creation of my “Crafty Texas Girls” blog. It has become another outlet for me to continue documenting through photography. I think between the two sites, my family blog and my “Crafty Texas Girls” blog, I have taken thousands of photos. But that does not mean I am anywhere near calling myself a professional! Instead, it has been a learning process. Some photos are great, some not so good. But from each photo a little something.
Now, if you are a professional photographer, own the latest version of PhotoShop, or know how to work your camera in ‘manual mode’—this article is not for you. But if you have a decent camera and the desire to capture your family and the moments you hold dear, read on. With a few simple tips, even the most novice photographer can take photos that are ‘frame worthy’.
TIP 1- Turn Off the Flash! Everyone, children, adults, even pets look better in natural light. The flash creates harsh lines and washes out color. Natural light is warm and soft. It illuminates smiles and highlights hair. The best natural light comes just before sunset, around 5pm. But even bright morning sun streaming through a window can look dreamy.
