Simple tips for taking better photos
Take better photos and add exciting artistic effects to your photos with HP digital cameras. These can be edited using the in-camera layout gallery features.
1) Use the sun to illuminate your photos
Natural sunlight provides one of the best lights for great shots with more detail and vivid colors. Be careful:
o Really bright sunlight casts harsh shadows
o Overhead sunlight can wash out details on faces
Advice: For best results, avoid taking photos when the sun is directly overhead. This can cause harsh shadows. Also, try to shoot with the sun behind you. This prevents loss of detail caused by bright light.
2) Be creative on gray days
Less than ideal weather conditions won’t stop you from getting the perfect shot. Cloudy skies produce unique photos:
o Get interesting highlights with enhanced mood
o Make the colors pop against the gray sky
Advice: Shooting in the rain can be fun, but be careful not to damage the camera. You can waterproof your camera by wrapping it in a plastic bag and cutting a hole for the lens to stick out.
3) Capture stunning night photos
The key to great night photos is to turn off the flash. Just follow these guidelines:
o Set the shutter speed slower to let in enough light
o Keep steady, slow shutter speeds blur photos
o Use a tripod or place the camera on a stationary surface
Advice: Put your camera on a tripod and set your shutter release timer so there is no risk of your camera moving when you pull the trigger.
4) Golden Hour – A great time for some photo magic
Sunrise and sunset are what photographers call the “golden hour” or the “magic hour.” The photos taken in these moments are rich and dramatic:
o Get “golden” light instead of the blinding midday sun
o Your photos will have warm and welcoming colors.
Advice: Using the golden hour is especially good for people shots, as it avoids harsh shadows on faces caused by the midday sun. Experiment with angles and zoom to find the perfect balance of light.
5) Get more effective flash photos
Flash is a great tool if you know how to get the most out of it. The key is to keep your distance:
o Your camera’s flash has a range of approximately 10 feet
Too far? Your photo will be too dark.
Too close? bright light blows detail
Advice: The best way to avoid overexposed flash photos is to step back and zoom in on your subject. This way the flash is a good distance from the subject, but you still get a close-up.
6) Keep annoying “red eyes” out of your photos
The flash reflecting off the retina of the subject’s eyes is what causes the common red-eye problem. Reduce red-eye by following these guidelines:
o Move outdoors or to brighter light
o Have your subject avoid looking directly into the lens
Advice: Many HP cameras offer automatic in-camera red-eye removal.
7) Move your subject for more attractive photos
You don’t have to center your subject in every photo you take. Create more visual interest using the rule of thirds:
o Divide your photo into a grid of three in a row
o Place the main “interest” at the intersections of the grid
o Use photo software to crop later if needed
Advice: For starters, you don’t always get the perfect shot, so keeping the rule of thirds in mind, try cropping your photo after you’ve taken it with HP Photosmart Essential software for the same effect.
8) Change the angle and create more impact
The difference between a good photo and a great photo is sometimes just a matter of how you approach it.
o Change the camera angle for creative shots
o Move your camera relative to the subject
o Zoom in or out to change the composition
Advice:Try these ideas to get a different perspective when taking a photo:
o Hold your camera at arm’s length above your head
o Lie on the floor
o Get very close to your subject
9) Add more visual appeal to your shots
Sometimes the best way to draw attention to your center of interest is to create a frame around it.
o A “frame” helps the subject stand out
o Add drama, depth and interest
o Use scenic elements such as trees or other objects
Advice: Once you have positioned your subject in the area where you want to take the photo, always look at it from several different angles to locate objects that you can use to frame your photo. Use scenic elements like trees or other objects.
10) Add depth and interest with lines
Create an interesting perspective and enhance ordinary shots by using straight or curved lines within the frame.
o Lines lead the eye to the center of interest
o Look for brick walls, sidewalks, fences, and curbs
o Shoot lines at an angle for unique shots
Advice: Get creative with the lines in your photo. Place your subject on a corner where a fence intersects, or use a long sidewalk to “target” your subject.
11) The right background makes a better photo
Backgrounds can play a huge role in how interesting your photo is. Consider these points when choosing a fund:
o Be aware of clutter and other distractions
o Do not use a busy or competitive background
o Remove objects that connect to the subject
Advice: Watch out for background elements that may look strange when photographed, such as a utility pole sticking out from behind someone’s head.
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