A Few Key Photography Tips for Amateurs

At Photo Card Cafe' we accept no professional photographs for use in our photo cards. But it doesn't always take a professional to take great pictures. Here are a few tips to help you take photos that will look great in any of our card designs.

- Don't always put your subject in the very center.

Try placing the subject to the left or right of your photo. Centering the subject is a good idea some times but moving them to the side will create a different look.

- Use the Rule of Thirds

It's a good idea to use a technique called the "rule of thirds". Use a grid like the ones below and place the focus of your subject on one of the lines or one of the intersections of the lines. When taking pictures of people, you can make sure the eyes are on the top third line like the girl in this photo. (Notice the photo above follows the middle grid below.)

- When taking pictures of your kids, get more on their level.

Don't take pictures down on them, rather kneel down on your knees and get on their level. If photographing a baby that is lying down. Place your camera right even with them rather than take the picture from above pointing down.

- Take pictures outside!

The light is always better outdoors (when the sun is up of course). If you can you can even use your flash outside to provide even better light on the subject if the back drop is really bright. Cloudy days sometime create the best outdoor pictures because then hard shadows are softened.

- Get in close

Fill your entire picture with the person you are taking pictures of. This gets rid of the distracting background and can create some really incredible up-close-and-personal shots.

- Use a Plain Background

This also eliminates a distracting and sometimes overwhelming back drop. It allows you to draw attention more to the subject of the picture.

- Take pictures from different angles

Experiment with different angles. Stand on a chair and take a picture down. Lie on the ground with your camera resting on the floor. Etc.