Tip of the Month

Pictures are an intergal part of a layout. Share your tips for taking better pictures. Is there a book you recommend? A type of film? What has worked for you? Share your tips and inspire others.

kathy m from San Jose CA writes...
My tip for better pictures is to physically get closer to the subject if possible. You think you have the picture you want? Take one step closer.

amber from ivanhoe tx writes...
Invest in a good camera and good film--yes it may cost more but it is worth it--i usually use 800 speed film--i have a toddler and i am always taking action shots and outdoor photos so 800 gives me all i need--i used to use 400 but would get a lot of blur if the subject was moving--i also bought a good camera--it does not have to cost a fortune-it just needs to do what you need it to do--my cost $80 and zooms from 35 to 105 it also beeps if i am too close or too far from my subject so that i never have people chopped off--and it can shoot night shots and portrait landscapes--i do not have the brand name etc on me right now but email me if you want that info-

Sue in Grapevine from Grapevine, TX writes...
I think that getting a digital camera has helped me take better pictures b/c I\'m now not afraid to take lots of shots. I used to worry about wasting film/developing cost of multiple shots of the same thing. Now, I can just delete the bad ones. Also, you can know while the event is still taking place if you got a good shot & reshoot if need be.

AmyP from Montana writes...
Fill the frame. Don\'t be afraid to get close. Don\'t be afraid to cut off part of the body or a hat. Especially for children, expressions are wonderful and tell alot about what you want to remember. I use 800 speed film when I use the 35 mm with a zoom. While it is nice to be able to review your shots with a digital, I find it harder to organize my photos and to get into a routine of getting them printed, getting an index print etc.

Tracy *SBA* from Tomahawk writes...
I always tell my friends that what you see is what you get. Some how the people think that when you take a picture that some how it will be better then what they see threw the lens. Also get level when you take a picture don\'t stand above or below what you are shooting. Some of the best pictures when you lay on your belly and get to the level of the kids playing. Also crop with your lens try to cut out all the stuff you don\'t need. And a good camera does make a big difference so spend the money and you will be very happy you did.

SnoopMurph from AZ writes...
Practice makes better. I love our digital camera for that reason, I can instantly see the results and I think that has made me a better picture taker. I try to use the rule of thirds in my pictures, plus get as close as possible. I have also gotten some super pictures by taking them around sunset outside for some nice light. Another fun thing to do is find a willing subject(s) and practice with different lighting, angles, including taking candids and action shots.

Kat in NY from NY writes...
Look closely at what appears in the frame! Definitely check for posts, lamps, and backgrounds coming out of the top of heads. If you are in front of a sign look to see what the sign reads behind your subject. Keep a steady hand and lean on a support if necessary.

GBS from Baton Rouge, LA writes...
I would suggest filling the \"frame\" when taking a photo. I seldom get photos with lots of background. I will once in awhile just so I can cut them down for MM frames or slide mounts, but not too often. Pictures look a lot better when there isn\'t a lot of background. Also, get both vertical and horizontal photos! Most people forget to get the vertical ones and they often look so much better. One of the best \"helps\" books I have seen for photography for the scrapper is \"Designing with Photos.\" There is a TON of info in this book. And it is written in simplistic form, very easy to understand. I use 400 speed film. I don\'t have a lot of fast action photos and this is a versitile speed of film; it works well inside and out. I have learned that Fugi often give better color quality than Kodak does, and it is cheaper!

Mandy from Nebraska writes...
Invest in the highest quality camera you can afford with all the features you want to use. I bought my camera about 12 years ago and I paid about $500 for it then. A couple years ago it wasn\'t working properly so I priced new cameras. To get the same features I have now would of cost me almost $800 new, instead I spent $100 and got mine fixed. A quality camera will last a long time, especially if you like it!

Johanna from Washington writes...
I use digital images more and more. I have have a motto \"just take the picture\" even if you are unsure how it will come out you never know. And I can always clean it up with my photo shop software.

Jennifer in OK writes...
I recently got a digital camera and I love it. I love it because you know if you didn\'t get the shot. I have developed a system that works great for me when it comes to renaming, organizing, and printing pictures. The one thing about digital pictures is that you are always tempted to crop out everything you don\'t want before you get them printed, but then you get a ton of pictures back that are 4x6 (and all good). It makes it hard sometimes to scrap these pictures because you don\'t have anything to cut out and you are trying to fit a bunch of uncroppable pictures on a page.

Prenticekid from Pittsburgh, PA writes...
Try to take outdoor pictures in the late afternoon when possible. My pictures are a lot clearer and less washed out now that I try to time them during the late afternoon/early evening.

INJacqui from Brown County, Indiana writes...
Turn off your flash. Unless it is absolutely necessary, turn it off. I have the most beautiful photos of my 3rd son becuase I learned this rule. I\'m so so so sorry I didn\'t learn it sooner. If taken in natural light, you get the most wonderful colors and shadows. Jacqui

Cynthia from Indiana writes...
I love using black and white film! I take a few roles every couple of months. I usually plan a park or some other outing for the photo shoot and snap away! Kodak B&W is easy to use because it can be developed in one hour processing unlike true B&W film.

Gail in NJ writes...
My tip is to remember to take photos of people at angles other than just a straight photo of their face. Profiles are nice, for example, my daughter intenting working on a puzzle. Another type I like is a picture of their backs. I take pictures of my kids from behind merrily walking down the street, or trying to see over a fence, or looking out the window waiting for grandma to come over.

DebL in CO writes...
I recreate some beautiful photography of my family by really looking at ads in magazines. Before I used to skip right over them.

Jennifer Lowrance-York from Oklahoma writes...
film is cheap compared to missing that precious moment...I personally think the more pictures the better.

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Aileen writes...
I like using a digital camera. It really has changed the way I take pictures. I love that I can see the picture instantly, the certainty of knowing that everyone\'s eyes are open and that no one looks weird is nice. I also like that I can crop and fix things like red-eye before printing.

Brenda Buzard from Arizona writes...
1. Don\'t trust hubby to do it, he will sit the camera down and not only forget to take the pictures but forget where he left the camera! 2. Candid shots are not all they\'re cracked up to be, I have found letting someone know their pic is being taken works best. Reluctant subjects-explain you are making a scrapbook. 3. Be sure to get a photo of everyone. I have come to find out a simple get together...later I will look at the picture and realize several of the subjects have passed away. Remember, this might be the last chance you have....consider it a responsibility and an honor, very important. 4. At our marriage renewal, I purchased throw away cameras and handed them out, plus bought good film for several guests and asked them to help out. We ended up with tons of pictures, but I don\'t regret it for a moment. We got different shots, from different angles and with various ideas of what was important to take. 5. Last, and most important. If your hubby wants to take your picture do not think lifting up your dress and covering your face will prevent him from taking the picture....it is just very embarrassing to go pic up your photos.

Georgia Girl from Atlanta writes...
Going digital was the best decision I ever made because I can snap 100 pics to make sure I get \"the perfect one\" and it doesn\'t cost anything in film or developing. I find that I snap away now more than I ever used to and I don\'t have to print or use those pics that are just OK.

Karen in Texas from DFW writes...
Some of my favorite photos are from when the subject was completely unaware he/she was being photographed. Completely natural and relaxed, they make a nice change from the \"Say Cheese!\" style of photography. They also often capture much more emotion and meaning into the photo.

Rinda writes...
For action shots: 1. Use fast film - at least 400; 800 is great. 2. Try panning with your camera - actually moving along with the runner and clicking at a good time. 3. Use your spot focus if there\'s one. 4. Take lots of pictures to get a few keepers. Rinda

Cherie from Tx writes...
1.Always pick the camera up vertically. I have made it a habit to pick the camera up vetically. This cuts down on the need to crop your photos, because what do you crop??? the sides,,, if you take vertical shots, more of the subject is captured! 2. As other ladies said, get closer to the subject. I try to take 2 steps forward before taking the shot, or zoom in if it is possible. I have also notice that I get better pics by stepping back and zoom in. Whatever works for your camera. My is clearer when I make better use of the zoom! The main thing is to fill the frame with your subject. 3. Have subject off center a bit. It gives you a better sense of what is happening around the subject! 4. Don;t crop out all of the background of your photo. Usually, you took it that way for a purpose! You can crop some, but leave enough so that you can tell where the photo takes place, and seasonal attributes!

Jette from Tennessee writes...
I have purchased disposable cameras to stick in the car and diaper bag. You never know when a photo op will arise. Also, I agree with the others who mentioned going digital. I\'ve found that I take more pictures and capture some priceless moments by snapping away. I also sent a couple of test pictures to various online developers to see which one I liked the best. So far, shutterfly hasn\'t let me down.

Barb from PA writes...
Take photo\'s outside after it rains. The greens and colors are more vibrant because the rain perks them up. I like Fugi film best for greens but also like Kodak for everything else. Remember when taking photo\'s to look at the background or other things in the picture. Example. when taking photo\'s of people is there a pole in the background making it look like there is a pole coming out of a person\'s head? Don\'t always take a photo with the subject or person in the middle. Sometimes it looks best with them on one side or another.

Chris in CT writes...
I used to swear that I would never go digital, but decided to try it as an addition to film. Well, I now think I may not go back to film. I feel free to finally take all the pictures I want and not worry about them not coming out and not worry about the cost of my mistakes/developing as I only print what I want and delete those that I don\'t. With digital I am experimenting more and getting much better shots.

cherish from canada writes...
when taking a photo of something you want in the sky make the land only 20% of the picture when taking a regular photo the land should take up 80% of the picture

jam from houston texas writes...
i bought on clarance at walmart last year a advantax(sorry for spelling) camara and it takes three different sizes. and what i do i measure in my mind how wide the picture i am going to take will be and i use that size on the camara. one it saves time on cutting when you are scrapping and two it looks better i think so you dont have so much extra to cut off the picture. juliet

Cindy from Alabama writes...
Some of the best photos I have are of my sons in their sports uniforms. Whenever we go for team photos, I take my digital camera along. I get lots of social interaction shots while the kids are waiting, plus really goofy team photos while the photographer is lining everyone up correctly. There are beautiful shots of my 5 year old spinning in a circle while waiting for his name to be called for t-ball pictures. This past season, I actually liked the ones I made better than the professional\'s. I always buy a modest picture package of each son, but usually scrap my shots and e-mail them to family members.

lana from Delaware, Oh writes...
scrapping has actually improved my photos. I often am thinking of the layout as I take the picture. I try to take photos close up and far away. i experiment with focus for some arty shots. One of my favorites is of a lighthouse. I focused on the lighthouse, then locked the focus and ducked down to shoot through some sea oats. The effect was so beautiful. I try to incorporate the same rule of thirds that guides layouts into my pictures. I also think of what I really want - is it people or scenery, or both.

scraparr from Hampden, ME writes...
I try to always use the following tips: 1) Use the fastest film possible. It gives you a crisper photo. 2) Look before you shoot - it\'s easy to overlook the lamppost sticking out of DS\'s head or the chair rail that looks like it\'s coming out of DD\'s ears but stuff like that will wreck your shot. 3) Fill the frame - a good zoom is a very good thing! 4) \"Frame\" your subject in the photo. Look for items in the vicinity to use. What I mean is, in a place like Chuck E. Cheese, take a picture of your child in the tube with you child framed by the tube. Some ideas for frames: vegetation, split rail fence, monkey bars, etc. 5) Take photos of signs, etc. with no people in the shot. You can use these photos as titles, journaling, etc. and not worry about getting the \"perfect\" shot of your kids. 6) For special occasions, write down the photos that you definitely want to take. Then you won\'t look back on an event and think, \"If only I\'d gotten a picture of...\"

Tautchia from Illinois writes...
When taking outdoor photos, the best pictures are taken on an overcast day. Your subject will not be squinting from the sunlight & the there will be a soft shadow on your subject. If you must take pictures on a sunny day, place you subject in dappled light (such as under a shade tree with light streaming through) for an interestiong effect.