New photographers can improve their pictures by eliminating some of the more common mistakes.

Improving the Picture Composition

Eliminating a few basic composition errors will lead to better looking photographs. Once they become second nature the photographer will then have the capacity to be more creative. From discussion with staff at a photo print shop some of the more traditional problems are much less common, probably as cameras with larger screens make mistakes more visible; problems with sloping horizons or tilted verticals, or with heads and feet cut off are much less common.

The new photographer still needs to think about them and be careful about:

• Unwanted elements in the background and foreground. Look for distractions such as rubbish, and bright or colourful objects that will draw the eye from the subject; reduce the clutter. Get closer or rotate the camera to vertical format; filling the frame will eliminate many distractions.
• Shooting everything from eye-level or not moving for the best view. Changing the angle will give variety so do not shoot everything from eye-level, or face on. Bend, kneel, even lie, down or stand on a wall and shoot downwards. Step to one side to hide background distractions behind the subject.
• Being patient and waiting for the sun to come out, a person to walk out, or into, shot. Spend time to get the imagined picture - the aim is to take photographs not snapshots.

Thoughtful Practice is the Key

To be a better photographer requires knowledge and skills that come from a desire to improve through regular practice. With a little effort, good photographs are possible by anyone with any type of camera. These articles assume the reader has a camera, probably a compact, and has become interested in photography and wants better results; more than just snapshots.

Start with the camera you have

A camera is a tool; in the right hands all will produce good pictures. Modest cameras may not be suitable for all subjects or large prints but are better than most users realise. The vast majority of photographs are only ever viewed on screen so will rarely show up the camera limitations. Consider the two pictures below, one taken with a modest automatic camera and one with professional equipment . Which is which? At small sizes, they are indistinguishable. Throughout the articles pictures we will use beginner’s equipment and techniques featured in the articles.

Spot the difference: which of the pictures is the compact and which the professional camera?