Fantastic Photography Tips

Getting those snaps right first time will mean you'll have a memory card of winning photos ready to be printed, posted or shared online when you get home.

Always carry a camera

The first rule of photography is to always carry your camera. If you haven't got it with you, you won't be able to take that award-winning shot! Just one of the many reasons that camera phones are so popular.

Choose from a wide range of cameras and accessories at Boots.com; don't forget spare memory cards! You don't want to miss special moments whilst clearing space.

Lighting and colour

Experiment with different light sources such as candlelight, firelight and artificial light to give a different feel to your photos. Strong direct light from behind the camera works well with architectural shots but is usually very unflattering for portraits.

Look out for repeating patterns in the objects around you as they often make for fantastic photos.

Black and white images are great for disguising clashing colours and focusing your attention on the mood of the picture instead. Try converting a colour photo to black and white at Bootsphoto.com to give an image a completely different feel.

Composition

It's tempting to just aim your camera directly at your subject and shoot. You can create a more dynamic feel though by placing your main subject slightly off-centre.

Wasting space is widely regarded as one of the most common crimes committed by amateur photographers. Some pictures work with plenty of space around the main subject but most have more impact close up; however, be aware that the very edge of the picture may get cut off when printing.

Re-cropping an image before ordering photo prints can make all the difference between a simple snapshot and a professional looking print. Try cropping a single photo in a few different ways and see the difference it makes, it's a great technique for helping you think more creatively.

Try tilting your camera at a strong angle to get a much more interesting perspective. It will give your photos a whole new look.

Tripods aren't the easiest things to carry around but they do enable you to use a slow shutter speed without getting camera shake. Try a mini version like the Boots Camera Camcorder Tripod.

Create perfect portraits

If someone tends to blink when you photograph them, ask them to close their eyes and only open them when you say so, pressing the shutter at the same time to allow for any delay.

A trick favoured by celebrities is angling one shoulder slightly towards the camera; this gives an instantly more elegant and slender look.

When you're taking portrait shots of people, working quickly is a good way of ensuring you keep everyone's interest and get natural smiles. Give your subject a natural frame such as shooting through a doorway or window that can act as a strong border to your photo.

For large group shots, get sizeable photo enlargements printed so you can be sure of seeing everyone clearly.

Just enjoy it!

Give yourself a theme such as 'abandoned and discarded' or 'humour' and see what interesting and dramatic shots you can come up with based only on these ideas. Flick through online photo galleries, you'll find they're a great source of inspiration when it comes to taking your own images.

Think about why the photograph you're taking appeals to you, as it will help you focus your thoughts on how best to capture the most important elements. This is especially useful at weddings.

Keep your own 'stylebook' as your personal photography manual. When you've taken a perfect pic, jot down the details on how you took it, the settings you used, the time of day and any other handy hints. It's a great way to learn.

Top tips for creating more from your photos

Photobooks – perfect for emotional events, like weddings and family celebrations, or just simply to display your holiday photos. Personalise with the precious images you choose in the order you want. Plus, you can even add text!

Enlargement photos and posters – great for capturing detail in large group shots, or from landscape photography. Looks fantastic, especially when printed as a series of images and put into Boots frames.

Wall mounted canvas – a beautiful way to display a favourite wedding image or family portrait for all to see. The larger the canvas you choose, the more powerful the reaction.

Mugs and Mousemats – a great fun and novelty gift, especially to show off a favourite image! The perfect stocking filler at Christmas or perfect for Mother and Father's day.

Diaries and calendars – A great way to keep special holiday photos on your desk or wall all year long. Choose from a wide variety at Bootsphoto.com.

Children's characters – The perfect way to bring a smile to children's faces. Personalise their favourite photos with pictures like Disney Princess™ and Pirates of the Caribbean™ to create stunning posters, collages and notebooks.

Read more like this:
Capturing Your Kids on Camera
Holiday Prints to be Proud of
Photobooks
Be a Better Wedding Photographer
Wow Factor Landscapes

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