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I’ve seen photographs taken with great cameras. They have fabulous colors, perfect exposure and maybe even amazing lighting. But they look ordinary. Why? They lack two big elements: composition and perspective.
These are two of the easiest photo tips you can implement using only your creativity and your eyes. No fancy cameras or technical know-how required!

Photo Composition and Perspective
To compose {or frame} your shot, you need to look through your viewfinder to see what your camera sees. Then you deliberately place your subject somewhere in the shot. It takes more thought than snapping the picture. While there are many composition rules (all of which may be broken), there is one rule that doesn’t take a huge amount of thought or planning.
Rule of Thirds

Photo Credit: Digital Photography School.
I took this photo of my kids playing in the backyard with my first generation iPhone (aka not the best camera known to man). My older son was balancing himself on the slide and I carefully lined up my shot to try to get him in the upper left-hand “sweet spot”.
(The rest of the photo was to be empty space, but my younger son ran into the frame as I was taking the picture. It was a happy accident because it gave the shot a counterpoint and balanced it out a bit.)
No doubt, even without the happy accident, this shot is more interesting than if I’d placed him squarely in the center of the photo. While a centered subject can make an interesting photo, it’s usually best to avoid the straight-on centered snapshots.
Perspective
If you want your photographs to go beyond just a snapshot, make them tell a story. How can you tell a story? By assuming a different character. In order to do that with your photography, you need to change your perspective.
Here are a few tips and examples of ways you can change your everyday perspective of the subject.
Tip 1: Get Down Low
If you’re taking pictures of flowers, pets, children or anything else that is low to the ground, get low to the ground. The world looks different when you’re sitting, kneeling or on your belly.
Tip 2: Look Up
If you’re photographing something tall, instead of standing back and trying to get it all in the shot, why not get close and look up?
Tip 3: From the Side
This is one of my favorite techniques, especially when repetition is involved. Instead of a head-on snapshot, position yourself to the side of the subject, get close in and shoot.
Tip 4: Look Down
The opposite of looking up at something? Look straight down. This is an excellent way to tell the story from your point of view. Alternatively, try grabbing a chair or ladder and telling the story from a bird’s eye view.
Tip 5: Think, Then Click
Use your creativity to construct your photograph. Don’t just click away. If you have the time, take a moment to artistically frame your subject. Figure out what perspective would be best. Only then, click. Click again and again and test out different compositions and perspectives.
Practice by photographing every day objects from a new and unique perspective. The more you practice, the quicker you’ll be able to make these decisions when you only have a few seconds to get it right.
Photography Challenge
Photograph a subject using a variety of compositions and perspectives. (Don’t move it. Move yourself.) Take at least 20 photos, more is fine. This may sound like a lot, but once you start framing and clicking you’ll see it isn’t. You should be able to complete this challenge within 5-30 minutes.
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Wow I love this series! I can’t believe I actually do the whole getting down on my belly and taking pics thing! Ha! I am such an amateur.
I did that taking pics of my little guy’s wood buildings on this post
http://www.nuestrasaventurasentexas.com/2010/12/floorplans-legos-and-wood-blocks.html
Well. Off to check out the rest of the series. I love it!
Great ideas. I especially like the “from the side” idea. That’s one I usually forget about. Now to find a subject to photograph. Better not be one of the kids — they will never stay still! 🙂
You just got a new blog follower. Thank you for the tips and tricks. I do try to do these things, but I like the way you’ve laid it out and love the challenge! I’m going to try it out this weekend.
Thanks Karen!
I’m so behind! Okay, just a couple of days. But I had a lot of fun working with the composition and perspective. And then I caught up by doing some editing too! Yay 🙂
We are going to Holland & Belgium next weekend, and I am so excited to start practicing your tips before the trip. I can hardly wait to use my new found skills on the tulips and waffles.
You’re going to get some gorgeous shots!
I’ve never been all that good at taking photos so this really helps! 🙂
Awesome post! I never thought of taking that many shots while moving myself and not the object. I am so excited aboutbworking on this and posting my pics…just as soon as the kids go down for the night. Thank you for making this so cohesive and easy to understand.
I wish I had the time to do the challenge. Not this week…
Wow, great photos!! Depth of field is wonderful!
Mmm.. very interesting! =D Thanks for the tips!
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I’m not very good at taking or being in pictures. This definitely helped! Posting up my pics tonight!