> Natural light
Light is the most crucial element for the success of a photo. Fortunately, to have the best light possible, there’s no need to invest hundreds of dollars on equipment. Natural light is what’s best for photo taking. Just go outside and use the sun to brighten your images. However, natural light may not always be enough, and you might want to use your camera flash. This may be a bad idea because unless your subject is very close, the light won't be strong enough to reach them. This will result in your pictures looking amateurish.
Take your pictures in the morning or when the sun sets to have the most beautiful light. It can also be a good idea to choose a cloudy day to take your outdoor photos because clouds naturally diffuse sunlight. They soften sunlight in a way that is perfect for portraits because hard shades sometimes make traits look weird in pictures. Otherwise, if you are in direct light, make sure your subject facing the sun and stand right in between. This will naturally result in well-lit photos and avoid the famous backlighting.
> Stabilize yourself
To obtain a clear picture, you must have a stable camera. Therefore, hold your device near you with both hands to have a secure grip. If it is still not enough to shoot a clear picture, you can consider using a tripod, or the self-timer function. This feature allows you to avoid the slight movement when you press the shutter button. To take pictures of more distant subjects, avoid the digital zoom at all costs, it will only issue in a pixelated and blurred picture. Instead, move physically closer to your subject to get a sharper and clearer image.
> Try various angles and framings
The best thing about a digital camera is you can take dozens and dozens of photos before you get the right one. This allows you to try different lighting, locations, angles or frames, and to select the one with the best result. Move around and try other frames and angles to make your shot more interesting. Center your subject in the picture for a dramatic effect, or follow the rule of thirds and place your subject off-center for more dynamic photos. Furthermore, try high-angle or low angle shots for an impressive effect. By taking a good number of different shots, you’re making sure you have a good selection for your final choice.
> Edit your pictures
Photo editing is definitely not to neglect. With just a couple of adjustments, you can make almost any photo look amazing. Even if you shoot the ideal image, there will inevitably be room for improvement: Simply adjust the light or the color balance and you can likely turn your ordinary photo into an excellent one, with just a few clicks. However, don’t take it too far. The best is to keep it looking natural, and avoid it looking too edited.
Ultimately, there is no recipe to follow to get a perfect shot. However, if you try these simple tips in your next photo shoot, you will definitely improve the quality of your images. And do not forget, practice makes perfect, so take out your camera and start shooting!
To learn more about photography, read our article about how to take the best product photos! Good luck!