Nov
07
How do you make picture of people and animals not seem like just snapshots?
By
I am planning on becoming a professional photography when I get older, but it seems like everyone who sees my pictures of people and animals(my dogs), say they look like snapshots. How can I make my pictures of animals and people not look like snapshots?
Thanks!
If you want to take a peak at my photography, I would be grateful!
Here my flickr page: http://www.flickr.com/katiemiller135
Thanks again!
How do I straighten the horizon?
I’ve tried to but it didn’t work.
8 Comments
November 7th, 2009 at 4:46 am
I’m going to give you the short answer.. Composition. Please read all of this link.
http://photoinf.com/General/Robert_Berdan/Composition_and_the_Elements_of_Visual_Design.htm
One thing that you have a lot of problems with is keeping your horizon straight. This is evident from the first photo and is in virtually every single landscape shot. Learn to hold your camera straight.
++
EDIT: Have you got Photoshop?, Image > Rotate Canvas > Arbitrary
I have done a quick edit on your image, just straightened the horizon, sharpened, made it a little lighter and added a little colour. See what you think?. (open them both on seperate tabs and flick between them to see the difference properly).
Original
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3789811665_548de5905a_b.jpg
Edit
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3464/3792551247_b5be86d71d_o.jpg
Try not to put the horizon in the centre, it does not work well with landscapes.
++
November 7th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Well there really are only two rules. Composition and lighting. The best thing to do is study a few professional photos that you like. Then look at how they are composed, and the lighting used.
Practice makes perfect…
Floral work is tricky as you need to keep it simple (in my opinion). You don’t want a lot of busy things in the photo. Your photo of dandy lions could be improved (in my opinion only) but close focusing on the foreground flower, and leaving the background blurred.
Natural lighting is always best early morning or late evening. If you find you have harsh lighting, use a bit of white card positioned so to light up shadows. Good for natural light portraits.
If you want to debate it feel free to contact me at http://www.josephsimons.co.uk
November 7th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Good composition, exposure and post processing (not necessarily fancy effects, just basic levels/curves adjustment will do).
For example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemiller135/3782153677/
On this one, the flash ruins it. It reflects in the dogs’ eyes and on their fur. It also causes harsh shadows which makes it look amateur. Try not to use the built-in flash inside, especially if ambient light is very low. You could also improve this photo with better composition. Remember the rule of thirds. (http://photoinf.com/General/KODAK/guidelines_for_better_photographic_composition_rule_of_thirds.html) Try also not to crop things like the part of the animal’s legs out if you are doing a “full body” type crop.
The most important thing is to keep practicing your photography!
November 7th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Follow these ideas and your images will improve
There are really three components to avoid the “snapshot” look. 1) Perfect exposure, 2) lighting and 3) excellent composition
http://photoinf.com/General/Robert_Berdan/Composition_and_the_Elements_of_Visual_Design.htm
November 7th, 2009 at 6:52 am
i remember you! i remember your photos! unfortunately i think i can see why people are saying they are just standard snapshots, i mean there is more then just point and shoot. What your lacking seems to be composition and lighting. Play around with your camera (not sure what you have) play around with the ISO, shutter speed, i mean it will go a long way. Create different angles, differently lighting, maybe photoshop a bit and make like the pictures of your dogs a light sepia tone with dark edges or something. you need to explore and learn. Even get a book. I bought the digital photography for dummies and it really breaks things down on how to take a wonderful shot. Just don’t give up and try new things, and don’t let anything get you down, they are your pictures and if your proud of them, that is really all that matters
I still like your sunset and yellow flower pictures 
good luck!
also location is a key point… you don’t just want to take a shot of your dogs laying on the couch with stuff on it…it really takes alot out of the shot and gets a bit distractive… just a suggestion
November 7th, 2009 at 7:42 am
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemiller135/3782153677/ – In this shot the flash is harsh and gave both of the dogs weird eyes and with pet shots its usually best to get on there level . Here is a very nice example by myles :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22131398@N05/3736749103/
Natural light and the eye level is with the cats .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemiller135/3782952788/ – In this image , you cut off the top of your dogs head and there are overexposed areas. The best time to take pictures outside is early in the morning or an hour before the sun sets , if you take pics like at 12/1 the sunlight is way too harsh .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/katiemiller135/3694955927/ – This image is beautiful , though the crooked horizon does not go with it , if you straighten the horizon here it would be a very nice image.
November 7th, 2009 at 8:22 am
If they are posed shots then it is pretty easy as you have control of the environment and can either move the people, props or yourself around to get the right background etc. Plus if you are in a studio situation you have total control of lighting etc.
You need to be totally familiar with all aspects of the equipment and how it all works though.
More difficult if you are doing street shots or are in an uncontrolled or controllable situation.
Then it is really only you that can move but all the normal things apply, watch out for backgrounds, shadows and the like.
A snapshot does not have to look totally amateurish if you take a little care. Sometimes you have to get in close, sometimes use a longer lens etc etc.
The main problem I see with most amateurs shots is clutter, both in the background and around the subject. This is often because they don’t frame tight enough and are not familiar with how to handle the depth of field.
Not the best examples but these ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/awphot/sets/72157615975685548/detail/ ) are “snapshots” in that they are obviously not taken in a controlled environment. I know Harajuku well and I know that it is mobbed with tourists when the cosplay mob are there, but you can’t really tell from these because of the tight framing etc.
November 7th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Katie,
The short answer is effort. You have to put in the brain work behind the shot. You have to learn some things, in particular exposure and composition. You can’t learn those by asking on Y!A. And it will take longer than a few days. (I have been plugging away for over 30 years, but maybe I am slow!) Taking a class would be a great start, as would joining a group or club locally. Look at good photography in books, magazines or photo websites. Decide what makes it good. Look at the lighting and composition. Then look at yours. What is the difference? Lighting? Time of day? Framing? How can you adjust your method to make your photo better?
You have to learn how exposure is built. You have to learn about DOF and focus. You have to learn how to see good light around you and how to take advantage of it. You have to learn quite a lot about the art of composition, including the rule of thirds, positive/negative space, perspective, leading lines, golden mean etc etc etc. You have to know how to use your camera to get the result you want rather than just point and snap. You have to learn how to control your camera. There is so much, but knowing at least the basics about these things is what takes your photography from a snapshot to a good image. My favorite link for beginners:
http://www.kodak.com/eknec/PageQuerier.jhtml?pq-path=38/13915&pq-locale=en_US
Begin learning and keep practicing. You can get better, but it will take effort! Best wishes!