Today, Wednesday 18th August 2020, is World Photography Day! It’s “an annual, worldwide celebration of the art, craft, science and history of photography,” according to the World Photography Day website. If your business is online (which it should be!), then photography should be a big part of that. But, you don’t necessarily have to hire a professional photographer to get the best shots. We’ve put together some of our top photography tips that you can use from home, to get great photos even just using your phone! Keep on reading to find out more about them…
The rule of thirds is the number one photography rule you need to know
A super basic rule that will help your pictures stand out and look good every time is the rule of thirds. It’s very easy to do, and can be used for almost any type of picture! If you want your image’s composition to look more professional, this is the rule for you. But how do you do it? Imagine that there are four lines on your image, two horizontal and two vertical. They overlap to create a grid of 9 rectangles, all of an equal size. Essentially, this splits your image into thirds both horizontally and vertically!
To create an image that is more aesthetically pleasing, place your subject off to the side, in either the left, right, top, or bottom third, depending on your photo’s orientation and the subject. This creates a lot more interest and allows the viewer’s eye to naturally take in more of the image! The rule of thirds tip is especially easy to do on most smartphones and digital cameras, as they often have an option for you to overlay this grid over your image while you take it, making it easy to line your subject up! The grid will then disappear once you’ve taken the photo. This then leaves you with a more professional-looking, aesthetically-pleasing image.
An example of what the rule of thirds looks like
Keep it slow and steady
Ever wondered why your photos just keep coming out blurry, no matter what you do? Next up in our photography tips is to make sure that you keep steady while taking the photo! This will make a huge difference in how your images turn out. They’ll be a lot sharper and crisper, as well as giving off a more professional feel if you’re posting them on your businesses’ social media pages or website.
If you’re really struggling to keep a steady hand, don’t worry- it’s easier said than done! Make sure that you’re holding your camera with both hands and a firm but not too harsh grip. Or, why not invest in a tripod, to keep the camera steady for you? It’s really cheap to pick up a basic tripod for your phone on eBay or Amazon, and it really will make a world of difference to the way your images turn out.
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Photography tips for beginners: consider filters (but do it tastefully!)
If you were on Instagram circa 2013, the interesting range of filters that were widely available and used on the app may have scared you off them forever. But don’t worry, filters have come a long way since then! There’s a huge range of subtle filters available out there, both paid and free. You can use them to gently enhance your images and make them look great! This is especially useful if you’re planning out an Instagram feed and want it to look cohesive. Using the same tasteful filter on all of your images can really pull the whole feed together and make it look like you’ve put a considerable amount of thought and effort into it!
Whatever your image needs to enhance it, there’s a filter out there that can do it. From brightening, colour-correcting, or even just adding in seasonal tones, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. And, most filters have the option to increase or decrease the intensity, so it won’t even look like you’ve filtered your image. Instead, it will just look like you’re a photography pro!
If you’re shooting on your smartphone, check out apps such as ColorStory, VSCO, and Lightroom for great filters that will work on a range of images. Some even offer subtle effects like light flashes and sparkles, to really add a pop to your images if that’s the look you’re going for!
Keep it simple for professional images that work
When taking images, especially of your products, one of the easiest photography tips to bear in mind is to keep things simple! This is especially true of the background. Keep your background plain and simple, to really make your subject the focus of the image! If your background looks super busy, it takes the eye away from the subject of the photo. And, it can make things look less professional and can be distracting.
When taking great photos, take the time to decide what really needs to be in the shot. Yes, props can look really good in photos, especially in product photos like flat lays, but make sure not to overdo it! You want it to be clear to the viewer straight away what the subject of the photo is. Otherwise, they may just become confused and completely ignore the image you’ve put time and effort into. And, when you’re trying to show off your business, this is the opposite of what you want!
We hope that these easy photography tips have been useful this World Photography Day! Why not share your amazing images on Instagram, using the hashtag #WorldPhotographyDay, and tag us too- we’d love to see them!
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