5 Tips for Taking a Better Photo

1. Ensure that you aren’t rushing your photograph. When you point and click, it’s a snapshot – when you think about your shot, how it is lit and how it is framed, it starts becoming a photograph.

2. Frame your photo effectively. Your subject should generally not be in the centre of your photograph – instead a little bit to the left or right and a little bit higher or lower. (There is something called the Rule of Thirds we teach in our workshops.) Remember to frame your photo so that everything that is important is effective and everything that detracts from your focal point has been left out.

3. SPECIAL TIP FOR RED: Red is a bold, primary colour. In your photograph, it will stand out and draw attention by itself. However, ensure your red is also the focal point (where your camera is focussing), is framed effectively (see Step 2) and that it is the brightest colour in the image. Our eyes instinctively are drawn to the brightest colour in an image, so try and leave out anything that will compete with the red!

4. There is a huge difference between RELATIONSHIP and OBSERVATION in a photograph. Relationship is when you are on the same level as your focal point or subject and observation is when you are looking down or up at your subject. Ensure the angle you select (straight through or up/down) adds to the story you are trying to tell.

5. Tell a story! It is one thing to take a photo of a red balloon – but what is the balloon doing? What has it been doing? Where has it come from? Where is it going? Who/what has the balloon interacted with? Remember, a photograph is more than the subject of the photo, it is the story behind it. Every photograph should tell a story – a picture is worth a thousand words!

Thanks to our judge Luke for providing these great tips! Luke is one of our Experience Providers and as some great photography experiences available on the RedBalloon website, such as a Travel & Landscape Photography Workshop, Family Photos Workshop and Personalised Photomosaic.