Hobbies And Interests
Eye Level
Try taking shots of children and animals at their eye level rather than yours. Kneel or crouch down to take the photograph to create a more intimate and personal feeling in the photo.
Centered
Instead of taking a typical photo of your subject directly in the center of your picture, try moving the subject to the left or right of the screen using the rule of thirds. Imagine a grid on your screen, two lines vertically and three lines horizontally; some cameras may even have a grid option. Place your subject where the lines intersect to create balance.
Light
Light is always one of the more important elements of photography. Take advantage of the available light to enhance your photo and try to avoid having the light behind your subject unless you want a silhouette. Use dappled and soft light to soften features and bright light to enhance bold colors. Angled light can create interesting shadows on your subject.
Quantity
Although it is sometimes helpful to be selective in your photos, by taking many photos you can capture unexpected and surprising images. As it is possible to delete any digital photos you don't like, you can use burst mode to take consecutive shots of a subject in action and choose the one you love the most.
Intention
When staging a photograph, ask yourself what you want the photo to show. Is it the peace of a beach at sunset, or the happiness of a child in the snow? What is the intention behind the photograph? Use this to decide where to place your subject, how to use the light and what pose to use.
Focal Points
Every photo should have a focal point; know your focal point before you start. Ask yourself what will draw the viewer's eye in your photo, but keep it simple, too many focal points will confuse a viewer. Your focal point doesn't need to be central, but it should stand out.
Natural
Try taking some natural photos, where your subject is not posed. This may work well for children, babies and animals, as long as you snap quickly. You can catch facial expressions and unexpected emotions which can add interest to your photograph.
Background
Keep the background simple to enhance the subject of your photo. A very busy background can distract the viewer's attention; you can also try blurring the background using a wide aperture to focus only on your subject.
Color
Play with colors and black and white settings to give a whole new dimension to your photograph. A cloudy sky can look dull in color, but in black and white it may appear moody and atmospheric. Try increasing the hue or saturation to add further depth.