Better Pictures for Scrapbooking ...
Photography:
The fun part of scrapbooking is using pretty papers, cool embellishments and the latest techniques to create works of art, but the root of scrapbooking is that we are preserving our memories, emotions and stories through our words and pictures. Your picture quality plays a huge role in how well you are able to “tell your story” with your scrapbook layouts. Taking better pictures is an important goal that every scrapbooker should strive to achieve.
Equipment:
The first element in taking better pictures is choosing the right camera. Whether you’ve upgraded to digital or choose to shoot with film, it’s important that your camera match your abilities and your needs. You don’t have to have the most expensive camera on the market to take a good photo, so when making a purchase, first decide what you will use your camera for (quick snapshots of your kids, taking a photography course, taking photos out in nature). Next, for digital buyers, decide how large you plan to print your images. These two factors will determine what types of functions your camera will need and how many megapixels will create the best outcome. Research before you buy. Remember, technology changes very quickly, so don’t buy more than you need in the very near future or you will end up with an expensive and outdated camera a few years down the road.
Even if you chose a simple model camera, it’s important that you know how to use it. READ THE MANUAL. Every camera is different, and knowing all about your camera can make the difference between a bad shot and a good one.
Buying a lot of accessories is not necessarily essential for good photography, but you may want to consider purchasing a tripod. A tripod will allow for clearer night and low light shots and also will allow you to be in your own photos. Digital users may also want to invest in a larger memory card so that more images can fit before reaching full capacity. Therefore, you will be able to take more images in one sitting. This may insure that you capture the best shot. Extra flashes and other items can be added in the future once you’ve moved out of the beginner ranking!
Technique:
Lighting. So, you’re ready to start shooting. Lighting is a very important aspect of getting a good image. In a novice’s world, the big question is “flash or no flash.” Use flash when taking photos in low light or when the lighting source is behind the subject and you wish to capture the subject’s image and not just its silhouette. Be mindful of reflective sources that may cause a glare on the photo (glass, mirrors, etc). Another hint, when in low light, have the subject look at a light source for a few seconds before looking back at the camera in order to avoid red-eye. (Or use the anti-red-eye feature on your camera). Otherwise, TURN OFF THE FLASH. Naturally lit photographs are, in my opinion, the best. Natural lighting is typically best at dawn, dusk or on slightly overcast days. When shooting on a sunny day, try to position yourself and the subject so that the sun is to the side. This allows for lighting of the subject’s face without causing them to squint. Or, avoid harsh light by placing your subject in the shade. Sometimes, this may require you to use the low light setting on your camera to get the best results. If it is difficult to get a picture without a blur, then it’s time to pull out the tripod to limit camera shake.
Camera Settings. As stated before, get to know your camera by reading the manual and learning which of your camera’s settings would be best in every situation. A little nervous? Put it on AUTO for general pictures. Other great options are low light, portrait and fast motion functions. Play with the settings and see how they change your pictures. If you’re really adventurous, try playing with your manual settings (AFTER YOU READ THE MANUAL).
Film speed and ISO are also important to note. Use the film speed or ISO that is appropriate for your lighting and subject needs. Refer to your manual for guidelines. In general, use faster speeds / higher ISO for low light and fast action. When in doubt, go for the middle of the road and try to fix your mistakes with editing.
Composition. A few things to keep in mind when looking at the composition of your photos. Get on the same level as you subject or, when shooting people, align the angle of the photo with the subject’s eyes to capture emotion. Shoot from slightly above or below for a more interesting angle. Try to get away from centering the subject in the photo and instead put them in the right or left third of the field of view. Don’t be afraid to get up close. The subject should take up a majority of the photo. That’s what the telephoto lens is for. Be careful when using the digital zoom, it can make the image a little grainy. Be aware of other elements that fall into the field of view. Minimize background distractions and other elements that may appear to be a part of the subject. Try using a wall or a sheet for a solid color background. Be aware of where shadows fall and adjust your subject accordingly. Another option, change the camera between horizontal and vertical positions based on your subject in order to get the best composition. Don’t be afraid to get creative especially with digital. You have nothing to lose.
When shooting people, timing is important for a good photo. Try to catch your subject in a spontaneous moment. They need not be looking at the camera. Maybe try saying something funny to get a “real” smile and avoid a stiff, over-thought pose.
Making Prints:
Print quality is the final element in determining how “good” your photo really is. If you are digital, your options for this stage vary. My favorite course of action is to download all of my images to my computer. Once I choose the photos that I want for a layout, I edit them with my favorite software (crop, resize, fix the lighting, convert to black and white, etc.). I then save the images to CD and take them to a professional photo lab to be printed. I choose a lab for the sake of the archival quality of their ink and papers which means that the pictures will last for years without yellowing, fading or becoming brittle.
Other options include printing using a home printer, editing at a store kiosk and ordering your pictures from their lab or uploading your photos to an online site, editing them and ordering them for delivery to your home. Whichever you chose, be sure that top quality ink and paper are used.
In Closing..
A few final tips for creating great images, experiment with your camera settings, composition, angles, etc. Take a lot of photos. If you’re using digital, snap away. One of the pictures you take might be “The One”. Carry your camera everywhere with you. You never know when a great photo op might present itself. And finally, make sure you catch enough variances in a series of photos to capture the who, what, where, when and why of an event…that way, your pictures can tell your story for you.
