Filipinos are very much into picture taking for some reason. I’ve even read that us Filipinos rank second to China in being very much into picture taking. Indeed, pictures allow us to capture precious moments. Here are some simple tips to ponder on when taking pictures:



Decide on your main subject. Remember that a picture is most successful when it tells a single story, so focus on one subject. It’s best to capture shots of people while they are doing something they love. As they say, a good picture can launch a thousand words. Let the picture do the talking.



Avoid shooting against the light. Simple logic, by doing this you are illuminating your photo. You can also use the light coming in from the side of your subject as it can flatter most people’s faces.



Experiment with camera angle. Test all angles possible with your subject –from the sides, behind, high-angle, low-angle.

Move your subject away from the middle. It is quite usual for us to place our subject right in the middle of a picture. However, this causes a rather boring story in the picture taken. Learn to move away from the center.



Move close. By doing this, you are able to capture interesting details. But then, be careful not to get too close or the pictures will become blurry. The closest distance you can have is only about one step away from the camera.



Try a plain background. Too cluttered or distracting background can ruin a picture. A plain background, on the other hand, helps focus the attention to your subject. Be keen on details like making sure that nothing is growing out of the subject’s head like a branch or a pole. 



Keep in mind the picture taking is your own personal art. Take numerous shots and discover your own masterpiece. Don’t forget that you need not be a professional to get a good set of fun pictures worth reminiscing on.  Moreover, you need not join costly photography training sessions to get better pictures. A little research and creativity will always do the trick.