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Top Ten Tips for Taking a Better Picture

by tacogirl 23/11/2009
written by tacogirl 23/11/2009
San Pedro Belize

While I have said in the past that it is pretty hard to take a bad picture in Belize – anyone who takes pics knows that you end up shooting a lot to get a few pearls and many end in the recycle bin. klcman has provided a tacogirl Top Ten list drawing upon his background in photographic education and working with others in the field, many of whom ascribe to the same ideas.

1. Direct eye contact. When photographing people, Try holding your camera at the subject’s eye level & unleash the power of eye-to-eye contact.  Just as in all real-life situations, this is important to release the power of those mesmerizing eyes and engaging facial expressions. Just remember, too, that the subject does not always need to be staring at the camera.  It’s the eye line we are looking for.

2. Backgrounds. Plain backgrounds will highlight the subject.  Plain does not necessarily mean one void of texture but merely distraction fee.  Force yourself to study the surroundings for distractions.  This will help  avoid that flagpole coming out of the top of the grandma’s head (we’ve all done it at one time or another).

3. Flash outdoors! Yes, even outdoors the flash can be your friend. Bright sun can create deep shadows.  Eliminate those and lighten up your subject’s face by using your camera’s flash functions. Many cameras have  “fill-flash- or “full-flash” modes.  If the subject is within five feet, use fill-flash to lighten up those shadows.  Beyond five feet, full-flash may be called for.  On overcast days, fill-flash will brighten up faces and make them stand out in the soft light..  Sometimes, however, an image made without  the flash on an overcast day, can have great results, too, as the soft light creates a quite pleading result.  Experiment.  Digital photography gives us such flexibility and instantaneous results!

4. Get close! Fill the picture area.  Setup as you normally would, then move in a step or two.  A good friend, who is a professional photographer and educator, tells his students to “ Fill the frame and concentrate on the  edges, the center will take care of itself.”  Getting close will give you more detail, like those cute freckles or that arched eyebrow.  Don’t get too close!  Many cameras will not focus within three feet (check your manual) in most modes.

5.  Go off center. Many people think they must place the subject center stage.  Perhaps true if one is a stage performer, but often not so with photography.  Move your subject off to one side.  Think of your viewing screen as a tic-tac-toe board.  Place the important subject at the intersection of one of those lines.  Caution:  if you are using auto-focus, you may need to lock down the focus (tip 6) as most cameras will focus on the center of the viewfinder.  Many newer cameras will also offer a variety of focusing options.  Again, check your manual for your camera’s options.

6. Lock the focus. If your camera is using center auto focusing, you may need to lock down the focus from time to time, if shooting off-centered subjects.  First, center the primary subject. Then, press the shutter half-way and hold. This will lock the focus.  Then, recompose your image, still holding the button half-way down.  Once you are satisfied with the composition, press the shutter the rest of the way down.

7. Flash range. Know the range of your camera’s flash.  The biggest mistake many people make is shooting outside the effective range.  The result? Images will be too dark.  For many camera’s the maximum range is fifteen feet.  Your mileage may vary, so check the manual, or try to stay within ten feet.

8. Photography is all about light. Successful photographers learn how light affects their subjects.  Taking a picture of great-aunt Fanny at a family reunion?  That harsh sun may enhance those wrinkles and you may not live to shoot (no pun intended) another day.  Soft light will subdue those wrinkles and make you her favorite grand-nephew/niece.  For landscapes, early mornings or late afternoons, The Golden Hour, are usually the best times to capture those awesome colors raking across the land and sea.

9. Get vertical. All sorts of things look better, or at least more interesting,  in a vertical format.  Next time your are shooting, try some verticals of the same subject and see how pleasing they can be.  Think Eiffel Tower, or a lighthouse on a craggy cliff.

10. Become the director. Take charge of the image-making process, don’t be a passive shooter..  Stronger images will be made this way.  “Allright, everyone out to the yard.  Girls, put on your sunglasses.  Boys, put the frogs down” Most pictures are not that involved, but you get the idea.

I came across Il Cantone recently on twitter and think his 2 posts on 10 ways to boost your creativity are a nice compliment to klcmans list.

Creative Thinking: 10 Ways to boost your creativity – Part I
Creative Thinking: 10 Ways to boost your creativity – Part II

Boat Gas Station San Pedro Belize image

Diving San Pedro Belize pictures

Belize barbecue

Belize picture

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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6 comments

Amy 24/11/2009 - 11:12 am

great post TG…..just what I have been looking for.

Reply
tacogirl 24/11/2009 - 11:45 am

Thanks Amy.

Reply
David | ilcantone.com 23/11/2009 - 11:04 am

What an amazing list! I love photography and these are great tips. klcman is right: light is the key to obtain a wonderful photo.

Thanks for linking to my posts.

Regards 🙂

Reply
tacogirl 23/11/2009 - 11:18 am

I thought your posts were a nice compliment to klcmans list David, glad I found them.

Reply
Jesse 23/11/2009 - 9:20 am

Good blog today!

Reply
tacogirl 23/11/2009 - 9:51 am

Thanks Jesse. klcman takes great pics so I was glad he was willing to share his knowledge.

Reply

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Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

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