Although most people think that taking a picture is just as simple as pointing and shooting, there really is an art form to it. Typically, your photos never look quite as good as you imagined they would. However, once you learn the proper techniques, it really is simple to take great pictures.
Come closer to the subject, so you can snap a better photo. Getting close allows you to avoid distracting backgrounds, and nicely frame your subject. If you are taking a portrait, getting closer allows you to notice facial expressions and other details. If your subject is far away, you are likely to miss the small important details.
Try new things, and don’t fear trying new techniques. A great photograph should be not only aesthetically pleasing, but should also showcase a personal style. There are many classic photographs that depict their subject in the same way. Don’t let yourself fall into that category. Develop different angles for your photographs, and do not be afraid to explore your imaginative side.
You should create depth and perspective when photographing landscapes. Create a good sense of scale with the use of a recognized object in your foreground. Aperture sizes like f/8 on a consumer camera, or f/16 on a professional DSLR, make it so you need not sacrifice foreground sharpness for background sharpness or vice-versa.
Blur your background when taking portraits of live subjects. If your background is focused it might take some focus off of your subject. An easy way to do this is to make sure that there is a larger distance between the subject and the background.
You may be disappointed at the photographs that you are taking. Learning how to use a variety of lighting techniques can be help make photographs more interesting. Experiment with new techniques and share your results with friends and other photographers.