6) Get closer.
Amateur photographers almost always make the mistake of standing too far away from their subjects, particularly if those subjects are people. It may have to do with our sense of personal space: We’re afraid that standing too close to someone while taking their pictures will feel awkward. But great photos are all about details, and you’ll capture many more details by shooting up close than you will at a distance. A good rule of thumb is to position yourself in what you think is a good spot, then take two steps forward.
7) Shoot horizontally.
The world of visual media is built around images shot in horizontal — also called landscape — orientation. That’s why TV screens and computer monitors are wider than they are tall. Cameras were traditionally built in a way that made it natural for users to shoot horizontally, but smartphones are most often used in vertical orientation. It’s tempting to hold your phone vertically when taking pictures, but you end up missing a lot of interesting background details that way. When in doubt, shoot horizontally.
8) Use the rule of thirds.
One of the most common tricks that pro photographers use is something called the rule of thirds. They visualize a grid of imaginary lines splitting the frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and then align the focal point of their photos with one of the intersections of those grid lines. Taking photos that aren’t perfectly centered helps make images more visually interesting and can even create a sense of motion, as the viewer’s eye starts at the focal point and is then drawn to other parts of the frame.
9) Turn off your flash.
Every camera has a built-in flash, and many of the automatic settings on cameras and smartphones deploy those flashes on nearly every shot, even when you’re shooting in plenty of light. But in most cases, those flashes are worthless. At best, they lack enough power to properly light a dark scene. At worst, they fill the image with harsh, unnatural light that leaves subjects looking pallid. You’ll get better photos if you turn off your camera’s automatic flash function and focus on finding great ambient lighting conditions instead.
10) Use a single camera for group photos.
One of the most frustrating experiences on a group tour is the group photo. It seems everyone wants a shot of the group taken on their camera or phone, which can leave the designated photographer juggling dozens of devices. It also means that travelers must hold their poses and smile for longer than is comfortable. Remedy this by telling the group that you’ll use a single camera to take group shots and then share those images with everyone after — or even during — the trip.
