Quick Tips for clicking high-quality snaps
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1. The document provides tips to avoid common mistakes in photography such as missing subjects, distracting backgrounds, everything in one frame, red eye, headroom issues, bad lighting, and overuse of photoshop. 2. It discusses each mistake and provides recommendations on how to fix them, such as repositioning the camera, using fill flash, zooming in on the subject, and being mindful of lighting and backgrounds. 3. The key recommendations are to understand the root causes of mistakes, fix them the next time by shooting additional photos, and not rely too heavily on photoshop to fix issues that could have been avoided by adjusting the shooting technique.
Quick Tips for clicking high-quality snaps
- 1. Common Mistakes in Photography and how to Fix them
- 2. Missing subject! If the subject of your image is not obvious at the first glance, then you should probably ask yourself why you took the picture. If the answer was ‘because of the X’, and the ‘X’ is not distinct, you need to try again. The subject should stand out – by contrast, color, light, motion, or focus.
- 3. Distracting background? Most shots will include background elements that are part of the shoot location. Make sure the background does not draw the viewer's attention from the main subject. Always check the elements in the background of the shot you are framing. Background clutter or distracting objects can usually be avoided by repositioning your camera (moving it left or right), changing the camera angle, or moving your subject. Mergers are another form of distracting background. Background objects or strong graphics that visually merge with the subject can not only be distracting, they can also be humorous. Again, reposition the camera or the subject to avoid mergers.
- 4. Distracting background? The fix: 1. Use fill flash—often called Flash On or Forced Flash. 2. In this setting, the flash fires even if there is enough available light to capture the image without flash. It is a good way to get accurate color balance under unusual lighting. Capturing subjects against a bright background or when the subject is backlit can lead to underexposure.
- 7. Everything in one frame…? Lack of an obvious focal point or a subject can compromise an image with the qualities of a great photograph.
- 8. Everything in one frame…? The causes: 1. Shooting against a busy or competing background or foreground 2. Trying to fit too many elements in the same picture 3. Clicking a photograph from a distance, making your subject too small for an obvious focal point The fixes: 1. Move closer to your subject 2. Use the zoom feature 3. Ask yourself: ‘What is the subject of this photograph?’ and ‘Does my subject fill the frame?’
- 9. Red Eye Red eye may be a small flaw, but it can still be the difference between a frame-worthy photograph and the one you dismiss to a dusty shoebox in the back of the closet. Although it only affects a small area, red-eye effect can have a big impact on image quality.
- 10. Red Eye The causes: Capturing images in a dim/dark settings (the flash light reflects off the subject's eyes, illuminating retinal blood vessels) The fixes: 1. Avoid using flash whenever possible (If unsure, click some test shots with and without flash to determine the necessity) 2. If you have to use flash, request your subject not to look directly into the camera lens 3. Opt for digital cameras with the red-eye reduction feature
- 11. Headroom space Headroom refers to the space between the top end of a subject’s head and the top end of the frame. 1. Too much headroom gives a sinking appearance 2. Too little headroom places visual emphasis on the person's chin and neck The fix: When framing shots of people, pay attention to where the eyes appear; a simple solution to this is to keep the camera lens and the subject’s eyes in a straight line.
- 12. Bad lighting? A lot of image quality problems can be solved by employing some simple lighting techniques. In the absence of a lighting kit, we can make best use of natural or available lighting. The fix: 1. Whenever possible, shoot in a well-lit area 2. Avoid bright light in the background 3. Move the subject to a better lit area
- 13. Quick tips! • Know your camera: Undertake some testing before the event. Experiment with different modes, the flash feature, etc. • Take multiple shots: This will help you to choose the best shot • Focus: Nothing can be as bad as an out-of-focus subject • Check for lighting: Whenever possible, shoot in a well-lit area • Avoid distractions: Make sure the background is clean and neat, and avoid other distractions in the frame • Headroom: Keep the camera lens and the subject’s eyes in a straight line • Never disturb official logos: When shooting corporate events, make sure the full logo is visible in the frame; else, avoid including it • Battery backup: Make sure the battery is fully charged
- 14. Overuse of Photoshop Slanted horizon? Rotate the image! Face is underexposed in the picture? Increase the brightness! There’s a gaggle of geese flying behind the subject? Clone them! And it’s a really long list. What do we do? PHOTOSHOP IT! Fixing mistakes during post processing, which could have been corrected when shooting the image, is a waste of time. With digital cameras, all you need to do is click another picture. And now with high-storage memory cards, it is easier!
- 15. Overuse of Photoshop The Fix: 1. Before you start shooting, do a quick check for the basics…white balance, lighting, proper exposure, and distracting objects around the subject or in the background 2. Analyze your shots and try to fix it the next time Understanding the root cause of mistakes and then working on them each time you shoot will hone your skills to become a better photographer. Do not allow yourself to repeat old mistakes
- 16. THANK YOU