It’s hard not to feel at peace on a holiday. Each moment feels far away from the harsh realities of the daily commute and dreary weather. As you enjoy new sights and inspiring settings in the summer sun, you’ll want to capture these moments forever.
But if every picture you’re taking is more “meh” than “wow”, you may be making this one key mistake that even the most accomplished photographers fall victim to.
Photography expert Antony Willets from Max Spielmann shares one tip that is ruining your holiday snaps and that you should stop doing immediately!
When taking photos amongst bustling crowds or popular beauty spots, there can be a natural inclination to reach your camera above the crowds and capture pictures from up high. However, little did you know that this is one of the worst ways to photograph any subject.
There are ways you can capture your favourite shots without taking them from up high.
“Although you may think that taking pictures from up-high adds more to the frame and therefore visual drama, it often results in an unnatural and awkward image. Instead, when taking a photo of a person, aim the camera around the subject’s chest level. This will give you the generally most flattering perspective,” says our expert Antony Willets.
“If you need some extra guidance, use the grid feature available on most cameras and smartphones and position the subject below the upper gridline of the middle square. But when zooming in, adjust this slightly and ensure that the chest area remains just outside of the middle grid.
“Also, you generally want to see more sky than ground in your composition. To achieve this, stand further back, and hold the camera at hip height.
“Make sure you take the photo with the lens facing slightly upwards, giving the subject a sense of dominance and importance in the frame.
“For a bonus tip, experiment with multiple angles – take wide body shots, tight detail shots, and mid-body shots to add variety and capture different perspectives; this will make it more likely to capture a great looking picture that you can cherish forever.”
By utilising these techniques, you can ensure that your pictures capture the true essence of your holiday. So next time you are surrounded by picturesque scenery and striking backdrops, keep these tips in mind to transform your snaps into visually exquisite memories that you can treasure for years to come.
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