Photography tips

First of all, what a fun get-together last night! You ladies are amazing and I feel so uplifted after chatting with you (even the multiple discussions about child poop--it's good to be supported in all our trials and adventures).

Anyway, a few months back I was asked to give a little intro to photography class for our Relief Society evening class. I have only taken a few community college courses, but I learned a lot. The main thing I learned is that while an expensive camera is nice, it is not necessary--you can make lots of changes even with your point-and-shoot camera to get better results. Here are some of the points I found most helpful:

1. Simplify the scene

• PROBLEM: Watch the background and surrounding areas for anything that might compete with the subject. Especially distracting things include poles/trees that seem to protrude from the subjects' heads, items that stand out between multiple subjects, and photobombers.
• SOLUTION: Change your position, move items out of the scene, move subjects closer together blur the background (if your camera can), crop the photo in closer to eliminate distractions.

Tree trunk between the subjects and car to the side are distracting.

Car cropped out, trunk sort of photoshopped out quickly :)

2. Fill the frame

• PROBLEM: Too much empty space or distraction around the subject.
• SOLUTION: Move in closer, crop after the fact, move subject farther forward, use a natural frame from trees or poles.

[Victoria, BC Chinatown] Subject appears to be gate, without much focus on real subject (people)

[Seattle, WA Chinatown] Subjects brought farther forward so gate becomes frame that adds interest without dwarfing people

3. Leave space

• PROBLEM: Moving objects seem to be ready to fall out of the picture. Not enough room left for full body, so parts get cut out.
• SOLUTION: Leave room in front of where the subject is moving toward. Don't chop off body parts at the joint (mid thigh, mid upper arm are better areas if you are cropping in closer).

Too much space behind the movement (read: Matt was driving too fast)

Room for subject to move into

4. Avoid the middle

• PROBLEM: Subject always in the middle of the frame.
• SOLUTION: Rule of thirds (tic-tac-toe overlay on the picture, aim for the subject to land on one of the intersecting points).

5. Change your elevation (**this is the point that made the biggest difference in my pictures**)

• PROBLEM: Camera looking down on subjects (distorts the features).
• SOLUTION: Squat down (or lay down) so the camera is at the eye level of your subject.

Looking down on the action makes it hard to see any faces, heads look much bigger than they are 

Looking straight on brings in faces and decreases distortion

Get down on your tummy to capture little baby moments!

What are some tips you have for taking pictures? How do you get your little ones to cooperate?