7 Tips To Take Better Photographs

Get in closer If you are unhappy with your photos, you are not getting close enough. Make your images pop by taking a step or two closer to your subject to fill the frame. When you fill the frame by being closer to the subject, you'll notice a better image without so much wasted space.

Practice makes perfect One of the best ways to improve your photo-taking skills is by shooting every day. Shoot as many pictures as possible – it doesn't really matter what you are capturing, but when you spend more time behind the camera, your technical skills will improve and your style will emerge.

Pay attention to lighting The lighting in an image can play a significant role in the overall feel of the photo, so it's important to pay attention to the light source. Whether the light is coming from the sun or an artificial source, be sure to interact with the light to capture the best angle possible. Use the light source to highlight something specific or capture the interesting shadows from the light. Paying attention to the light and utilizing it in interesting ways can make your photos extraordinary.

Stop checking One of the worst habits to develop (if you’re a digital photographer) is checking the photographs after each shot. Taking photos and then immediately checking them can take away from the special moment you are trying to capture and you could miss a fantastic shot when you pull the camera down. Look at your photos later because it really disrupts your flow.

Study your owner's manual As trivial as it sounds, read and study the owner's manual. Many photographers will miss this important step and it's vital during your photographic journey. You'll learn about all the camera features and many can help you capture better photographs.

Keep your camera on you It is impossible to capture a moment if you don't have a camera on you. With that said, make sure you have your camera on you at all times – whether it's your smartphone, point-and-shoot or DSLR – spontaneous and unique moments aren’t planned and being ready to go is a great way to capture the unexpected.

Adjust your settings When preparing for a shot, don't forget to adjust the settings on your camera. Sometimes you may just pull the camera out of the bag and start shooting, but if your settings are the same from your last shoot, you'll wind up with photographs that aren't what you originally expected.