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Return To Photography Article Archive   Search the Article Archives Expert Tips for Professional-Quality Photographs By Mike Churchill © 2006, All Rights Reserved It would be safe to guess that almost every home in America has at least one camera. Whether digital, 35mm or video, the vast majority of the population has taken photos or videos on a casual basis. If casual photography isnt your style, here are some expert tips for taking photographs as good as the pros. Get Creative With Poses For years weve all heard that posed photos are a bad thing: that we should aim for the spontaneous shots. Thats simply not true. What was bad was the type of posing people chose! Think creatively. Photography school instructors encourage students to place people in familiar surroundings doing unusual things. For instance, rather than having your three children sitting at the end of a bed shoulder-to-shoulder, pose them lying on the bed with their chins in their hands. Rather than an ordinary side-by-side mom-and-daughter shot, pose mom and daughter nose-to-nose. Photography school graduates will tell you that a talent for creative posing is one of the most sought-after attributes any professional can have. Know Your Equipment Those who hold a photography degree are quick to point out how vital it is to know your equipment. Whether you choose to take pictures with a video, 35mm or digital camera, you must have a good understanding of the settings, features and abilities of that camera. While many may cringe at the thought, its always a great idea to read your users manual. You may be missing valuable information on how to use special features that could make a big difference in the quality of your pictures. Use Digital Cameras Only With Still Shots Most home-use digital cameras have a one- or two-second delay before shooting. Thats perfectly fine when taking a picture of your new car or the vineyards in the wine country of California. Photography school instructors warn, however, that digital cameras are not always great for shooting moving objects such as pets, wildlife, children in action or sporting events. If you have to be sure you get the shot at an exact moment, a film camera will work best. Use Flash Outdoors While flash is traditionally thought of as an indoor-only feature, it also has many applications outside. The sun can create shadows over faces and images. Pros know that using flash outdoors can counteract the effects of the sun on your photos. Get Close Its a common mistake in amateur photography to take pictures of people from a far distance. The normal result is a picture with people so small they arent identifiable. For better pictures, get up close, so you can see the persons face well. This way you can clearly see the person or people in the picture. Photography is a combination of creative art and science. The more creative you become, the more interest youll find in your pictures. The more you know about the science of photography, the more control youll have over the outcome. Read articles, buy books or even earn your photography degree. Soon, youll be taking expert-quality photos just like the pros! About the Author: Brooks Institute of Photography is a California photography school for those who aspire to become professional photographers, graphic designers or filmmakers. Courses are taught by dedicated professionals who believe in the philosophy of 'learning by doing.' Get your photography degree at http://www.brooks.edu. Art Photographer

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