Get ready to learn some quick steps to taking better, more dramatic pictures! As a general rule, we tend to take photos from much too far away to really capture the true depth of our subject. Here you will find some tips for taking better close-up photos, and you will see how a great close-up shot can have a huge impact on your layout!
Much of your success at close-up photography will depend on the type of camera you are using. SLR’s (Single Lens Reflex cameras - the kind you adjust yourself) and digital cameras will have the best quality. Digital cameras also have the advantage of letting you view your pictures straight away, allowing you to reshoot immediately if needed. Many point and shoot cameras have a minimum focusing distance that will not allow you to get close to your subject (usually only about 24-36 inches). Look to see if your camera features a macro or close up mode. This will aid in achieving quality pictures.
Cropping is often used as a scrapbook term meaning to cut away non-essential pieces of a photograph. You can save yourself some time and effort by applying the same idea to the photos you take. Always try and fill the entire frame of your photo with the subject. This will not only make your photos more striking, it will keep you from cropping later with your paper trimmer.
Notice in these layouts, how the entire frame has been filled with the subject so the photos needed very little cropping.
Don’t be afraid to get intimately close to your subject. Some of the most interesting pictures are those of unusual things, such as baby toes and the texture of a blanket. It’s okay to take a picture of your daughter’s eyes, even if it means cutting off a bit of her head. Keep in mind, when photographing babies and very young children, that using a flash while taking a close up photo can hurt their eyes and could possibly cause eye damage. Be sure to point the flash away from their faces to keep their eyes safe and their smiles in place.
Good lighting is essential for a great photo. The ideal times of day for natural lighting are early mornings and later afternoons. If you are outdoors, be sure to notice if the shadows from leaves and branches are falling across your subject. Direct lighting on your subject can cause a number of problems, including strong shadows or squinting eyes. Try to keep the light source off to one side or the other and use your flash as filler for any shadows you might not see.
Framing your subject will funnel the viewer’s attention to the subject in the picture. This look is easily achieved by placing a framing device (a flower, a fence, etc.) between the subject and the camera. The trick is to make the device draw attention to your subject without overpowering it. In the first layout, the tree branches draw the focus inward, toward the girls. In the next layout, the sink and counter draw your attention toward the adorable bath boy!
These are a few techniques that will start you on the road to taking great photographs. Improving your close-up photos will take effort and practice, but you’ll find the time well spent when you see the striking results you can achieve.
