Pimentels-Photography

I received an email at the beginning of the month from someone named Dana who gave me permission to reprint these 11 practical tips for any photographer – beginner or master – to keep in mind while taking digital photos.

1. Using the sun to light your photos
   Natural sunlight provides some of the best lighting for great shots with more vivid colors.
2. Get Creative on gray days
   Cloudy days can make colors pop against the gray sky, and the enhanced mood you create can be pretty interesting.
3. Capture breathtaking evening photos
   Turn off the flash, slow the shutter speed to let in more light and place your camera on a stationary object such as a tripod to reduce the blur.
4. “Golden Hour” – a great time for some photo magic
   Sunrise and sunset – referred to as the “Golden Hours” – create warm and inviting colors in your digital photos. Experiment with angles and zoom to find the perfect contrast of light.
5. Get more effective flash photos
   The flash’s range is 10 feet. Step back and zoom in on your subject. If you stand too close, the subject will be washed out. If you stand too far away, the subject will be too dark.
6. Keep annoying “red-eye” out of your photos
   Move into brighter light or have the subject not look directly at the lens to reduce the reflection of the flash off of the retina. Most new digital cameras offer automatic red-eye removal as an in camera feature.
7. Move your subject for more compelling photos
   Remember the Rule of Thirds, and don’t always have the subject in the center of the shot. If the photo doesn’t turn out perfectly, crop it later for better results.
8. Change the angle for more impact
   Change up the camera angle or perspective for unexpected photos that will attract more attention.
9. Add more visual appeal to your shots
   Create a frame around your subject to help them stand out. Frames also draw attention to your subject and add drama to an ordinary digital photo.
10. Add depth and create interest with lines
    Lines – such as using brick walls, sidewalks or fences – lead the eye right to the subject of the photo.
11. The right background make a better photo
    The right background can make a photo more interesting, but watch out for too much clutter or items that can compete with the subject of your photo.

For more tips and ideas for using your digital camera, you can visit the HP Digital Photography Buying Guide page.