by Mike Churchill © 2006, All Rights Reserved

It would be safe to guess that almost every home in America has at least one camera. Whether digital, 35mm or video, the vast majority of the population has taken photos or videos on a casual basis. If casual photography isn't your style, here are some expert tips for taking photographs as good as the pros.

Get Creative With Poses

For years we've all heard that posed photos are a bad thing: that we should aim for the spontaneous shots. That's simply not true. What was bad was the type of posing people chose! Think creatively. Photography school instructors encourage students to place people in familiar surroundings doing unusual things. For instance, rather than having your three children sitting at the end of a bed shoulder-to-shoulder, pose them lying on the bed with their chins in their hands.

Rather than an ordinary side-by-side mom-and-daughter shot, pose mom and daughter nose-to-nose. Photography school graduates will tell you that a talent for creative posing is one of the most sought-after attributes any professional can have.

Know Your Equipment

Those who hold a photography degree are quick to point out how vital it is to know your equipment. Whether you choose to take pictures with a video, 35mm or digital camera, you must have a good understanding of the settings, features and abilities of that camera.

While many may cringe at the thought, it's always a great idea to read your user's manual. You may be missing valuable information on how to use special features that could make a big difference in the quality of your pictures.

Use Digital Cameras Only With Still Shots

Most home-use digital cameras have a one- or two-second delay before shooting. That's perfectly fine when taking a picture of your new car or the vineyards in the wine country of California. Photography school instructors warn, however, that digital cameras are not always great for shooting moving objects such as pets, wildlife, children in action or sporting events. If you have to be sure you get the shot at an exact moment, a film camera will work best.

Use Flash Outdoors

While flash is traditionally thought of as an indoor-only feature, it also has many applications outside. The sun can create shadows over faces and images. Pros know that using flash outdoors can counteract the effects of the sun on your photos.

Get Close

It's a common mistake in amateur photography to take pictures of people from a far distance. The normal result is a picture with people so small they aren't identifiable. For better pictures, get up close, so you can see the person's face well. This way you can clearly see the person or people in the picture.

Photography is a combination of creative art and science. The more creative you become, the more interest you'll find in your pictures. The more you know about the science of photography, the more control you'll have over the outcome. Read articles, buy books or even earn your photography degree. Soon, you'll be taking expert-quality photos just like the pros!

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