Six Reasons Why Taking Great Photographs Is So Hard
It’s you who is going to take a picture. Not the camera. So don’t be so hard on yourself. The more you will like what you have, the better pictures you will take. It’s not about the camera, it’s all about how you hold it and use it –Anonymous
A lot of people are great photographers, but few can take a truly memorable picture. What makes the difference? It takes more than just an eye for composition or technique to capture that elusive quality that draws you into a photograph. Trying to capture that perfect image can be challenging. The truth is, there are many reasons why taking great photographs can be hard for even the most seasoned photographer. There are so many things to consider when taking a picture- lighting, composition, subject matter and more.
Here are six of the most common reasons your photographs may not live up to your expectations .
1. You don’t have an interesting subject
You’re in a beautiful spot, you have a fantastic camera, and the weather is excellent. The problem? There’s nothing worth photographing! If you have superior equipment but no subject, there is little point in taking photos. Try spending some time finding something unique to shoot – it doesn’t have to be more than flowers or an interesting rock formation, perhaps, but it’s vital that what you take pictures of really interests you. When taking pictures of special moments like sporting events, family get-togethers or just hanging out with friends, it’s essential to get not only images of your subject but also their reactions. Capturing these expressions can help tell more of the story and show how much fun everyone is having during whatever activity you’re doing! This will make all the difference in the world between an average shot and a fantastic one!
2. You’re not using the light
Photographing in the right light makes all the difference. Natural lighting is always best but be aware of how it changes throughout the day. The golden hour – that brief period just after sunrise or before sunset where the sun produces a rich, warm light – is usually considered ideal for photography. However, harsh shadows may also create interesting images, so experiment to find what you like best! One of the first things you should do before taking any photo is to make sure that your lighting matches what you want out of your image. You can use natural light or artificial lights like flashlights if necessary but keep in mind that natural light will give off a more effortless glow than indoor lighting sources, which may cast shadows on your subject’s face or body. Natural light also provides a friendly, warm tone that is flattering to most skin types.
3. You haven’t got your subject out of the center
Most cameras have an autofocus system which means they will focus on whatever is closest to them. This often results in serious composition problems. Your photograph is likely to end up with everything (or at least everything interesting) in one place, making your image look busy and confusing the viewer about what you want them to see. Try moving your subject away from the center of your shot and filling the frame – this may mean getting slightly closer or further back but will make a big difference.
4. You’re not experimenting
At some point, you will have taken all the photographs that are easy for you to take; now, it’s time to take a risk. You can’t get better at taking photos without trying new things out! Experimenting with light, composition, and focus may produce stunning results if done correctly – understanding how changes in these areas impact your photos is necessary to try new things during every shoot, have an open mind, and learn from any mistakes you make. The background of a photograph is necessary because it adds context and interest to whatever is happening in the picture. If you’re taking a picture of someone you love, make sure that there are no distracting items behind them. It’s also important not to take photos in places with busy backgrounds because having too many elements can confuse the viewer. Lastly, never take pictures with your subject facing away from you, looking out at their beautiful surroundings or scenery- this creates an unflattering image of the person’s back end!
5. You don’t know how to get your camera angle right
Most cameras can be tilted and swiveled in all sorts of ways allowing you to shoot from the ground, above your head, below eye level, and more! This is a great way to get interesting angles that will set your images apart from the crowd. It’s also essential, however, not to get carried away with this feature – tilting too much will distort vertical lines, which can ruin an image, so don’t forget how it works. Different angles will give different impressions about what you are photographing. For example, if you photograph someone from above, they may appear taller than in a picture taken straight on. By experimenting with different angles while photographing people (and objects), you’ll achieve more exciting effects that create more substantial and more visually appealing images.
6. Your camera settings are wrong
There isn’t one perfect setting for every shot, and different photographers like to use different ones anyway – but knowing some basics is crucial to take good pictures. You should know how to change the ISO (how sensitive your camera’s sensor is), what apertures and shutter speeds do, and how to change them. You can get a long way without this knowledge, but learning it will improve your images no end, so try picking up a camera manual from time to time!
Finally…
Even after taking all of the photos you intended, it doesn’t mean your work is finished! The next step is looking back through your shots and editing them down. Images shouldn’t be too busy or cluttered – decide which ones stand out to you, removing any that don’t immediately grab your attention. If you’re unsure about an image, it’s good practice to look at it on a black & white screen as these tend to show off a picture’s composition better than colors. Once edited, you will have a collection of your best shots and a good idea of what works and doesn’t work so you can improve what you do next time.
I’ve been taking photographs for many years and have always found it challenging to get the perfect shot. Recently, a photographer friend of mine told me that he’s had this same problem all his life too – no matter how much experience or education you have, getting great photos is hard! Just remember that even the most expensive cameras don’t make the best pictures. The most important thing is to know what makes a great picture and then apply that to whatever situation you may find yourself in!
Have any other tips? Share them in the comments below!
Happy Snapping 🙂