WikiHow - Notes

How to Take Better Photographs

• Read the camera's manual and understand your camera, along with the basic functions of it.
• Set the camera's resolution to take high quality photos
• Set the camera to automatic modes, if you do not know any better.
• Take your camera everywhere so you can practice how to take photos.
• Go outside more often to expose yourself to different lights and shades.
• Keep your equipment clear and clean.
• Set your white balance, and shift to different lightning.
• Set a slow ISO speed, if circumstances permit.
• Frame the photo on your mind before framing it in the viewfinder. 
• Get rid of distracting backgrounds and clutter.
• Try different angles.
• Balance ISO, shutter speed, and aperture.
• To avoid blurry photo, keep still. Try not to make your hands shake.
• Use a tripod if your hands are shaking too much.
• To reduce camera shake, zoom out and get closer, turn on image stabilization, and squeeze the shutter slowly, steadily, and gently. Do not stop until the picture is taken. Prop the camera on a solid surface.
• Relax as you push the shutter button. Try not to hold the camera to hard.
• Try to avoid red eye.
• Do not take photos which require flash: try to find somewhere with better lightning.
• Use your flash only when you need it.
• Look for the best pictures, be brutal: only get the very best pictures.
• Don't be afraid of taking too many pictures.
• All cameras are capable of taking good pictures if the conditions are correct to take pictures and if you have the right lightning.
• With digital, it's better to underexpose the shot, as underexposure is easy to correct later on software, and shadow detail can be recovered.
• Practice as much as you can: aim to fill your memory card and use as much film as you can develop. Make as many mistakes as possible and learn from them: If you follow all these tips, you will learn how to be a better photographer.