Filling in the gaps

When it comes to documenting special times with photographs, I'm a strong believer in hiring a professional. This is especially when it comes to weddings, special parties or important milestones (like a kid turning 5). Not only have a pro take quality images, but provide quality prints that, taken care of, can last a lifetime.

The beauty of the digital age is that there are easy-to-use, low-cost digital cameras that consumers can purchase to "fill in the gaps" between professional portraits. To be clear, even the cost of near pro-level cameras puts them within reach of advanced amateurs. But a camera is only a tool. It is the expertise and experience behind the camera that matters most. Filling in those gaps is important, because those are the times you're on vacation and relaxed with your family. Or the baby is eating a bowl of Cheerios, or taking a bath. Or the occasion doesn't call for a professional photographer but is still worth documenting.

To that end, here are a few tips to make those "fill in the gap" images better.

• Get closer to your subjects. Don't rely on your camera's "zoom" function to fill the frame, just take four steps closer yourself. You'll be amazed at the difference it can make.

• When outdoors, don't place faces in direct sunlight. Shade is best for even lighting when you can find it.

• When indoors, try to shoot in a bright environment. If you can't, use the camera's built-in flash but, unlike my first tip, stand back so you don't "wash out" the faces with the bright light.

• Consider that professional photographers know light is the most important factor in whether a photo will work or not. Amateurs believe they can simply shoot in any environment and the photos will be great (this is not the case). Pros adapt to lighting conditions and supplement when necessary. So find good light you can work with. The human eye is more sensitive to light than digital camera sensors or film, so find really great light to get really good photos.

• Don't always shoot posed photos. Often, the best emotional and impact comes from letting people do what they want to do and capturing it. These "candid" shots can become some of your all-time favorites because they show people being themselves.

• As mentioned before, cameras and equipment are merely tools to capture images. If you really want to improve your photographs, seek out knowledge and then pick the camera that's best for you. There is a wealth of good (and bad) information on the Internet. Consider the sources, take notes, practice, practice, practice and have fun!

Happy shooting!