Photoshare Photography and Digital Imaging Tips

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General Photography Tips

 

Be aware of country laws governing photography practices, editorial principles, and ethical issues in development photography.

There are many important issues to consider when photographing human photo subjects, particularly vulnerable populations. It is also necessary to examine whether photo subjects may experience negative consequences of having their photo used. We believe the value and importance of using a photograph should always be weighed against regard for the photographic subjects' reputation, privacy, and integrity. See our section on Development Photography Ethics for more information.

Use flash properly.

Flash can make or break a photo! Flash is a crucial feature when photographing in high-contrast, low-light, and back-lit scenarios (as seen in the image below). Built-in-flash is a common camera feature that, if used properly, can dramatically increase the quality of your photographs. The photo below illustrates a typical problematic lighting situation in which a flash was not used.

Notice how the details of this man's face are indistinguishable. Using a flash in this scenario would have provided the necessary details needed to identify the speaker.

Rule of thumb: always use a flash indoors. Also, use a flash outside when close enough to see faces, especially if the people in your photo are backlit (a bright light or background is behind your subjects). If you are unsure about using flash, take two shots - with and without flash.

What can you do if you are using an old point-and-shoot camera that does not allow you to manually turn the flash on and off? In this case, you can control the flash by covering the light meter, which is usually located near the flash, range finder or lens. Covering the light meter tricks the camera into thinking there is not enough light, and this will trigger the flash.

Prevent harsh contrasts, silhouettes, and loss of facial detail, especially when photographing dark-skinned people.

Don't shoot into the sun or indoor light source. Always make sure the brightest light is behind you.

The photo on the left was probably taken around noon when the sun is directly above the subject. At this time of day, the subject's brow line creates a shadow over the rest of the face, as seen here with this girl. The photo on the right shows how silhouettes are created when the light source is directly behind your photo subjects. To compensate for high contrast lighting, reposition yourself or use a flash.

Take advantage of action-oriented and candid shots.

Action-oriented photos are preferable to posed shots. Paying attention to non-verbal body language can help you visualize how interesting the scene will be in print.

These two photos were taken at the same workshop. Notice how even a slight increase in animated expression (as seen in the photo on the left) brings the photo and the workshop to life.

Get in as close as you can to your photo subjects.

Try to fill the frame with important details. In the end, the less you have to crop, the better. A good composition will maximize your digital resolution and better engage the viewer.

The photographer probably stood on a chair to take the photo on the left. Notice how the space above their heads does not add any value to the composition. The photo on the right, taken at eye level, is more engaging.

Shoot photos of individuals and small groups of people at eye level.

This is particularly important when you photograph children. Rather than shoot down at children, crouch to adjust your height or sit on the ground. This allows the viewer to connect more with the image.

This pair of photos shows the value of photographing people at eye level, whenever possible (particularly posed shots). Remember to get in as close as you can to your photo subjects.

Shoot the same scene from different perspectives.

If you plan to take more than one photo of an activity, try shooting a close-up, mid-range, long-range, and side-shot. If you can only take one photo, get in as close as you can to your photo subjects.

Long-Range		Mid-Range		Close-Up

For posed shots, avoid busy and distracting backgrounds.

Busy and distracting backgrounds, as illustrated in the photo below on the right, will detract from your main photo subject.

Be mindful of gestures or grimaces of individuals in your photo range.

Sometimes, a prominent, unflattering facial expression in a group of people can render a photo unusable. If you are photographing a close-up of someone speaking, you may need to take several shots.

This photo was taken with a digital camera. Digital cameras tend to have a delay between the click of the shutter and actual exposure. Facial expressions can change considerably in this brief time lag. Hold your camera steady and take several shots in a row.

Prevent shadows from obscuring important details.

Be mindful of where shadows fall. If they are shading important details, choose a different angle to stand from or ask your subjects to move, if possible. When indoors, ask your photo subjects to move at least 6 feet away from a wall.

Notice the shadow of the photographer in the left hand corner.

Think twice about using the date function!

Many cameras (digital and traditional) have the option of including the date on the photograph. While this may seem helpful for remembering the date of the project, it can seriously detract from the aesthetic quality of the image. Dated images require a considerable amount of retouching, and this can compromise the image quality in presentations and printed materials. Below is an enlarged portion of an image containing a date. The date appears over a detailed and textured area of the photograph making it difficult and time-consuming to digitally remove.

The date on this image will be difficult to remove!