Todd's Top Ten Photo Tips

Implement any one of Todd's Top Ten Photo Tips and with practice you're photos can't help but get better. See below for a description of the image above.*

1. Get closer to your subject.

Why: Most point-and-shoot cameras and lenses geared toward beginners are wide (they include a lot of the scene in your images), so that your main subjects will often get lost in the background unless you get closer. Many small cameras also have automatic flash that will hit your subjects directly; for it to work you can't be across the room. And for getting closer, don't just zoom in with the lens: use your feet!

2. Don't get too close to your subject.

Why: The same wide-angle lens will distort objects and faces, making them look unnatural and unflattering. Any flash you use will also blow out (make too bright) objects too close to you.

3. Pay attention to the background.

Why: If you are photographing a person, for example, you don't want tree branches, light poles or other objects appear to sprout from their heads. Unless this adds to the story, avoid people or random cars in the background. Watch what a horizon line does to a person's head, or what vertical lines do. Elements that tell a story or give a sense of place are great, but make sure they relate well to your subject for a pleasing image.

4. Pay attention to the composition.

Why: Many amateurs will put their main subjects directly in the center of the frame. Sometimes, by sheer luck, that composition works. Most of the time, though, it is boring. Add a little interest by having some room to either side. There is a guideline called "The Rule of Thirds" where if you divide a photo into thirds horizontally and vertically, your subject's placement on one of the intersections more often than not can produce a pleasing composition.

5. Pay attention to the light.

Why: There must be enough light, good light and coming from a pleasing direction. Light is the most important element often beyond our control as photographers. Putting subjects facing direct sunlight makes them squint. If the sun is overhead, their eye sockets will be in shadow and it won't flatter them. If the sun is behind them, this can kiss them from behind but could render their faces extremely underexposed (in complete shadow) or silhouette. Flash, if you know how to use it, can remedy a backlit subject, but sometimes the bright sun will fool your camera. Often the most flattering portraits come from strong sidelight, which can create pleasing shadows and dimension to a face (or a nonhuman subject). Indoor lighting is rarely enough for small cameras, so go outside in daylight when photos are purposeful. Find even shade – not dappled with bright and dark areas – and start there.

6. Pay attention to poses.

Why: If you are photographing a large group, try to have them sit or stand about the same distance from the camera. If you don't, particularly with a wide-angle lens, the people in front will look much larger than the people behind them. For poses, there are a slew of rules out there that can't be given due time in a bulleted list. Basically, in a pinch eliminate any poses people put themselves into that don't look natural or don't fit into the rest of the group. Pro tip: showing the back of a woman's hand directly toward the camera is a sure way to give her "man hands." They should be positioned so a thin side is most visible.

7. Check your equipment beforehand.

Why: Nothing ruins a planned photoshoot or trip to take pics more quickly than not having a camera that works. Test it beforehand, take spare batteries and memory cards, too.

8. Shoot a lot of photos in the beginning.

Why: Hands-on experience is a great way to learn, but to learn you need to begin understanding what works. As you improve, take fewer photos. Why? Editing photos will become a chore, and storing/printing/using them will become something you just don't do anymore. Once you've gained confidence, create meaningful images.

9. Focus.

Why: Focus not only what you are doing, but improve your camera-focusing technique. Digital editing can (somewhat) rescue under- or overexposed images, and cropping can fix some compositional woe. Objects can even be added or removed to improve a photo. But if it is out of focus, an image is basically worthless. That is, unless the subject matter is so rare or special, that focus does not matter. Or the unfocused image is some kind of artistic experiment.

10. Have fun.

Why: That can be the most important thing about image-making. Lately, having fun has been such an important goal to me that I leave my camera at home. Most people, I think, find taking photos to be great fun – even when those photos are not technically good (in any way, shape or form). This is a good thing. I hope that means people value photography, although the jury is still out on whether the general public can tell the difference between stellar photos and barely good ones. Making that distinction is a challenge for the professional photographer today!

*The above image was an impromptu shot of a dancer before her group performed at a school event. I was talking to a colleague and just happened to see her leaning against the pole. I attempted to use light, composition, focus and color to create a pleasing image.