One of the most common ways to take a picture is a portrait.  Portraits are when you have the subject framed in a shot.  Since it is so common a lot of times you don’t see a variety.But if you try and use a little more creativity you can make the average shots so much better.With this article I would like to share with you some things you can do to make them better.

First thing you want to do is change the perspective.What I am referring to is to have the photo taken in a different way not the normal way people would do it.  You can change where the picture is coming from.  This is helpful in my San Diego photographer business.People are so accustomed to the way most photos are taken that when it is taken differently it makes such a big difference.  For example photos you can take from a high angle.Or you can make a common portrait and take it from the ground looking up to make it different.it can make such a difference in the way the picture looks.

Another way to change things up a bit is by doing some things with the eyes.In general all pictures are taken by having the subject look directly at the camera.  But the direction of the subject’s eye really impacts the picture.What you might want to do is getting the subject to look away from the camera.This really changes the look of the photograph and how it feels. Doing a lot of event photography San Diego I have my subjects do this all the time.

Another great tip you can implement is having your subject look at an object within the picture.This is so effective if your goal is to advertise something.You can get the subject to look at the product you are promoting.  This is a trick that I do a lot as a San Diego commercial photographer.It makes a huge difference by centering the attention onto the product.

So those tips will help you really to make photos that are taken one way all the time and making it better.

When most brides and grooms make wedding day plans, they take certain things into consideration.  They think about coordinating the date for vacation times.  Or they coordinate the day on what is best maybe for family to make it into town.  Or they plan it based upon maybe available venues, like the church or the restaurant.

But one of the biggest things they fail to plan for on the wedding day is the photographer. Don’t think this is something small.  And I am not just saying it because I am a wedding photographer. 

No planning the wedding day with the wedding photographer in mind could mean all the difference in the world. Especially when you realize that the photos are what are going to last a lifetime.

What are some of the factors when you start planning with the photographer in mind. The date and time.

First let’s start thinking about the time.  How many people do you think would want their photographer to rush taking the photos? I am pretty certain that most people, couples especially, will not raise their hand to that thought. 

Without even considering your photographer, a majority of the times most couples do just that.  They will force the photographer to rush his shots. 

How so you ask? A good amount of times, for instance, a couple will have a time let’s say 1-2 pm.  With the reception starting at 2:30. How many photos can the photographer really take with only half an hour to work with? Not that many.

Even worse, let’s say he does take all the shots? Do you think they are going to take good quality shots when they are rushed?  Of course not.

So plan the wedding times and the receptions accordingly making sure there is ample time to take photos.

Second thing to consider when planning with the photographer in mind is your photographer’s availability.

Most probably don’t realize this, but most good photographers will be booked months in advance. Let’s say you are dealing with a large photography company, they probably have a few photographers.

Well making wedding plans without thinking about the availability of the photographer could be a nightmare. Because when you reserve that special day, without making sure your photographer is available, come wedding day you might get a shock when you find somebody totally different.

This scenario happens when you are dealing with a big company. You may not even realize that they have a staff of photographers and if the photographer you liked is booked, unless you ask, they might not tell you. When the wedding day comes, a second rate photographer or worse yet, they might outsource the work and somebody else will show up.

So be prepared and don’t let this happen. Planning that special wedding day can be truly wonderful.  Make sure you plan it also with your wedding photographer in mind.

In this day and age of digital cameras, you’ve probably heard or thought that all you have to do is push the button and great pictures magically appear.Hold on, don’t go so fast.The honest truth is, you may have a great digital camera, but if you are clueless in what to do, you will take ugly shots.

Well, I would like to share with you some great tips on improving your digital photography skills.  These tips are coming from years of experience as a San Diego wedding photographer.  These tips all involve lighting and they are going to be some of the biggest keys to your success in taking your photos.

First tip you will use in regards to lighting.  Now if you are taking shots outdoors during the day, natural sunlight provides some of the best lighting possible.  Now you are probably thinking, “that’s easy, when you are a San Diego photographer since it is always shiny there”, when in actuality really bright sunlight can cast harsh shadows.Or it will wash out the face details while the sun is overhead.

Overall, you are going to want to take most of the shots with the sun behind you.  This prevents the harsh shadows that can be caused by the sun.There will be some times when you want to take shots from different angles when you do try to get some shadows into the shots.

Now that we know what to do during the day shots, what if you have to take some night shots? 

The trick to taking night shots is to turn off your flash.Of course if it is absolutely dark with no light you wil need it, but for times when there is some lighting, use the lighting around you, but make sure the shutter speeds are slow enough to let light in.Also, stay steady when you are taking your photograph or you will cause the picture to blur.Doing these tricks should make a significantly dramatic difference when you take night shots. 

The final tips to using lighting for great shots is using the golden hour.  There is something photographers call the “golden hour” or magic hour, and that time is sunrise and sunset.

These times of day you wll be able to capture great shots because you will get the more warmer and inviting colors.You’ll be able to get that golden lighting that isn’t available during any other time of day.

There you have it.Probably the biggest secret in taking great photographs is taking advantage of the natural lighting.  Knowing what techniques to use for different parts of the day, or just scheduling a photo shoots to capture those times of day will help you become an excellent photographer.