If you’re serious about taking better images and creating the most pleasing photographs you can, then here are a few simple things you can do to take better images.  Even if you’re not well-versed with your camera’s settings and even if you still shoot your DSLR on automatic, these three easy-to-follow tips can improve your photography skills by leaps and bounds. Guaranteed!

1. FOCUS!

If it’s out of focus, it is not a pleasing image. Very few images can get away with having a soft focus. If it’s a portrait, 99.9% of the time, the eyes (or the eye closest to the camera) has to be tack sharp.  Even if you captured the precise defining moment and it’s not in focus, it’s no good. Toss it. An image may look completely focused on your camera’s LCD, but remember to zoom in to 100% to be sure. Hands down, this is the most important thing you can do to improve your photography!

2.  Deliberate composition.

So many times I see images that seems as if the creator just blindly pointed and shot. If you want to increase your odds at taking better images, decide what it is your photographing. What is the subject in the image? Compose in such a way that the eye travels straight to the subject and it’s not a guessing game. Include the entire subject or follow guidelines for cropping. One of my personal pet peeves is a crop that involves negative tension—or cropping at a point in the picture that doesn’t make sense to my eye, like at minor joints (ie. fingertips, ankles) or below a major joints (ie. knees, elbows). Make use of compositional layering and leading lines that guide your eyes right to your subject.  Deliberate composition also includes checking your background.  Make sure no one has trees growing out of their head or extra limbs.

3. Shoot often.

Not only will shooting more often help improve your skill, it will also help to familiarize yourself with your equipment.  If you shoot daily, you have more chances to capture life, document family history and be photographed.  My unofficial motto is to shoot until my camera is in the ground.  My two Nikon D7000’s have a combined total of 118,281 shutter accusations on them. I’ve had one body for a little over two years and the other for a little over one year.  I’m not the best at mathematical equations, but I think that averages to 166 images per day over the last three years. Get out and shoot to improve your skills for taking better images!

Until next time, be positive, happy, and healthy, and don’t forget to be photographed.

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I am a San Antonio-based wedding and senior photographer who started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. As one of the up-and-coming San Antonio wedding photographers, I am also available to shoot in Austin, Houston and Dallas and the surrounding areas. I am also available for destination weddings worldwide. Ata-Girl Photography Co. offers an amazing wedding photography service that you won’t soon forget.  As a professional photographer, my sole purpose is to provide you the absolute best photography experience.

I am a professional photographer who enjoys documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. When I’m not photographing a wedding, family or high school senior, I love hiking, cycling, reading, listening to Elvis and most importantly, I enjoy seeing my daughters happy!

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