What makes a good photo?

• Photos can teach.
• Photos can influence and affect change.
• Photos are not limited by language, race, or culture.

A photo communicates a lot but a great photo can express even more! Photographs can show mood, emotion, place, economics, and opportunity. Use the basic principles given here to take more interesting and high quality photographs. Responsible photography practices are also introduced and are just as important as taking good photos. Once you learn some photography basics you will have the opportunity to practice your new skills in a virtual 3-D town we call Photoville.

Being familiar with your camera is a good place to start.

Learning Activity 1

1 2 3 4 5

1. Is your camera ready?

• Be sure your camera battery is charged.
• Carry extra memory for storing photos.
• Clean your camera lens.

2. Are you ready?

• Keep your body stable and if you can, use a table, wall, or pole for support while taking a picture. Camera shaking leads to blurry pictures.

3. Is there enough light?

• The most important part of every picture is the lighting. Taking a photograph with unfavorable lighting conditions will lead to poor results.
• The "prime time" to take many types of photographs is in the hours before sunrise and sunset.
• Avoid high-contrast lighting situations where the subject contains both bright light and dark shadows. The bright areas become washed out and the dark areas become too dark.

4. Do you need to use the Flash?

• Use the flash to take pictures when there is little light or when a bright light source is behind the subject you are photographing.
• For many cameras, the maximum flash range is less than fifteen feet—about five steps away.

5. How can you best set up the Picture?

• Look Your Subject in the Eye.
• Use a Plain Background.
• Look at the lighting.
• Move in Close & Fill the Frame
• Use the "Rule of Thirds”

Roll your mouse over each of the numbered items on the camera to reveal tips.

Learning Activity 2

Now that you've read about how to take a quality photo, test your knowledge by doing this fun activity.
Closely examine both pictures, then click on the one that you think is the "better" quality photo.

This is a better quality photo!

Get close to the subject of the photo

Picture 2 is the better quality photo! When your subject(s) fill the frame, it helps your viewer identify the target of your photo. Just keep moving in closer until you are sure the photo will successfully represent your subject.

This is a better quality photo!

Be aware of distracting backgrounds

Picture 1 is the better quality photo! Remember to look through the camera’s viewfinder and study the area surrounding your subject. Try to avoid distracting signs, hanging wires, (or poles behind the subject’s head) and other items that will take away from the subject. When possible, use a plain background. The plain background shows off the subject you are photographing. Unless of course the background is part of the story you are trying to tell.

This is a better quality photo!

Use the ‘Rule of Thirds’ to make a photo more interesting

Picture 2 is the better quality photo! The other picture is still good, but you can bring your picture to life by simply moving your subject away from the middle of your picture. This is called the “rule of thirds.” In this rule, imaginary lines are drawn dividing the image into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Place important elements of your composition where these lines intersect. You can add dramatic interest without upsetting balance by placing your subject at any of the four points where the lines cross.

This is a better quality photo!

Pay attention to where the main light source is located

The subject of the photo will be silhouetted when there is a bright light behind the subject. Try to take photographs with the light source in front of the subject (behind you). One way to compensate when this is not possible is to use the camera’s flash as ‘fill lighting.’

These are both great photos.

These are both great photos.

Use composition (how you frame a photo) to help photographs tell a story

These are both great photos. Be creative with how you take your photographs. The angle of your shot can drastically change what the picture represents. The photos above are of the same statue but each one can convey completely different messages and stories. Experiment by holding your camera horizontally and vertically. You can also get different results with lighting and what you include, or exclude, from your photograph. Use your camera to find the best ways to tell your story.