Capturing the perfect photograph requires more than just a good camera; it’s about understanding light, composition and depth to set up the ideal shot. Award-winning photographer Amanda Schwengel, who serves as assistant director of photography and video production for University Communications and Marketing at Metropolitan State University of Denver, shares best practices for elevating photography skills using a professional camera or a smartphone.
Use these five tips, developed by Schwengel, to elevate your photography:
1. Lighting and framing are key.
An image taken by Schwengel in Laos.
- Shoot early (the first hour after the sun rises in the morning) or later in the day (an hour or two before sunset) for the best light.
- Use clean backgrounds so you don’t distract from the subject.
- Look for elements that may help frame the subject in an interesting way.
- Change your perspective — get high or low, change your angles, and experiment with different points of view.
- Use the rule of thirds — place the subject or focal point along lines or their intersections created by dividing an image into nine equal parts.
2. You don’t need an expensive camera to take a good photo.
A camera doesn’t make a photographer; it’s the person behind it who matters.
“While SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras offer greater control, with various lens lengths and aperture options for better depth of field and higher-quality images, advanced smartphone cameras are increasingly suitable for social-media use, making them a convenient alternative for those who prefer not to travel with bulky equipment,” Schwengel said.
3. File size matters.
When sharing pics on social media, a smaller file size is fine, though Schwengel always keeps the original RAW files on a hard drive just in case. JPEGs are the universally known file type and very user-friendly. For printing or blowing up images, the higher the resolution the better.
4. Get creative.
- Look for contrasting colors, watch where light falls on a subject and work with that and play around with it.
- Utilize depth and layering — using objects in the foreground, filling the frame — and shooting at a lower aperture setting to make the composition more interesting.
- Watch for and catch a moment when photographing subjects — that split-second that you can freeze to tell a story in a unique way.
5. Editing apps can make all the difference.
Schwengel uses Adobe PhotoShop and Lightroom to edit and tone most of her images and also recommends Photo Mechanic for editing and staying organized as well as apps such as Snapseed, VSCO, Adobe Lightroom Mobile and Afterlight.
“The more you shoot, the better you’ll get,” Schwengel said. “Experience is the best teacher, so get out there and have fun. Photography is all about creatively observing, and I feel lucky and grateful that my hobby is also my profession.”
If you take Schwengel’s tips while documenting your summer fun, be sure to share them with the Early Bird to be featured in the upcoming roundup.
