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There are a lot of things that can be said to a new photographer on how to take good pictures. In general here are a few things that we tell students at SCHS in what it takes to make a real photograph stand out from a simple snap shot.
(1) Have a strong Center of Interest in you photograph. This is the reason for taking the photo. Get as close as you can to include only what is needed in the final frame. Too often photographs have extra stuff in the frame that distracts from the Center of Interest.
(2) Hold the camera steady and release the shutter carefully to avoid camera shake or vibration which leads to unsharp pictures. Use as high of a shutter speed as possible to reduce the effects of camera shake. In general if you are using a 50mm lens on your camera you should never go below 1/60th of a second. If you have a 200 mm telephoto on your camera that low shutter changes to 1.250th of a second. Focus and sharpness are the one primary error in most photo students.
(3) Watch the background in your photo for here is where the average photo separates from the exceptional photo. Watch for clutter or from some object like a telephone pole that might appear to be growing out of the subjects head on the final photo.
(4) Be ready. That is the most basic yet most forgotten key to getting good photographs. You must have your camera with you when you see your dog sleeping with the cat on the lawn. Your camera must be ready too with film that is appropriate for the scene. We use TRI-X or any color ASA 400 speed film because they seem to give average exposures in most types of lighting indoors or out. Be ready means having your camera in good shape, clean and with fresh batteries. Pay attention to detail. Look at lighting and look to see if a different angle could make the subject look better.And, GET CLOSE. Did we say that, well, get close! That is the key too good pictures.
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