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Virtual Flower Show Hints and Tips

Important

Please ensure that if your photo features a person you have their permission to be photographed and they are aware you are entering the photo into a competition. If you photograph any children and young people under the age of sixteen, always get full consent from their parent or guardian first.

Photo formats

We will accept digital, mobile or non digital formats. If you are sending your photos digitally via email, please ensure your picture is of maximum size 2Mb. Photos will be displayed at 220 pixels wide. Read the Competition Rules.

Know your camera

Always keep your instruction manual handy for reference. It will give you valuable information on your camera and allow you to play with its various functions. Have fun practising using your camera's controls before taking important pictures. Keep the lens clean. Always use a proper lens cleaning tissue or cleaner (not your handkerchief or the end of your sleeve!) and clean your lens regularly.

Keep it steady

It’s so important to keep the camera still. Before taking the photo, relax and gently squeeze the shutter button as pushing it abruptly might jerk the camera and blur your picture. A tripod can be a great asset but it takes time to set up and is often not ideal in busy places or for those spontaneous moments. Try leaning against a tree or wall instead.

See the light

Light is so important for photography. Direct sunlight causes harsh and unflattering shadows and both people and animals with sunlight in their eyes tend to squint and look uncomfortable. Whenever possible, take advantage of indirect or softer lighting, or try lighting from behind the subject. When shooting outdoors, opt for early morning or late afternoon, and shady or overcast days. For those bright, sunny days or in low light, try using a fill-in flash.

The best idea is to move around so the sun is behind you and to one side. This front lighting brings out colours and shades, and the slight angle produces shadows that highlight textures and forms.

The camera never lies

Our eyes focus selectively. You may only see your subject in the viewfinder, but your camera will see that rusty old bin or graffiti in the background. Practice making sure you get exactly what you want in your picture, especially in the corners. Changing your viewpoint slightly can often help improve the picture. However, don’t forget it’s easy to crop photos these days so you can always improve a photo later.

Be an artist

Think about the composition of your picture like an artist! Don’t always place the main subject in the centre of the picture. Try framing it in a doorway, window or archway or under overhanging trees. With landscapes, aim to have a point of interest in the foreground to create a deeper sense of perspective and to add interest. A lone tree can often make an excellent focal point, although make sure you include the base of the tree and avoid cutting off the top!

Depth is an important quality of good photographs. We want the viewer to think that they're looking through a window into a fascinating, three-dimensional world. A wide angle lens can help exaggerate this perspective. The beauty of an image is often in its proportions. A popular technique with artists is called the Rule of Thirds. Imagine the frame divided into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Place your subject on one of the lines or intersections to add variety and interest.

People Power

Photographs of even the most awe-inspiring landscapes can make dull pictures. Include some of your friends, companions or even passers by into the shot to add more interest. If there's no-one around, why not include yourself by using the self-timer on? Don’t forget to get permission from people in your photos if you are entering them into competitions or ever intend them to be published.

Go Natural

We all end up taking posed photos of people which are often disappointing. A good trick is to take a few more shots quickly afterwards to catch people in a more relaxed and natural mood. With children, it’s often better to wait until they are busy doing something and aren’t aware you are taking pictures.

Get Moving

Most photos are naturally taken from shoulder height which is often not ideal. Play around with different positions, kneeling down and getting high up and practice tilting the camera. An original angle often makes an indifferent photo really interesting.

If there’s a beautiful sky, get down low and make the most of it. However, if it's overcast, avoid getting the sky in. But don’t hesitate to take photos in the rain or on bad weather days as you can still end up with some very good shots. The wind can also transform a photograph – try using a long shutter speed to add a sense of movement.

Up close and personal

Don't be afraid to get really close to your subject. The best photos are often simple so moving in closer will help remove any clutter from the picture. Small and detailed parts of a subject can often be more interesting than the whole thing.

When taking a portrait, move in close to reduce that boring background. If you look at most 'people' shots, they don't show the whole body so you don't need to either. Fill the frame with just the face, or even overflow it to really give your shot some impact. Use a zoom to crop the image even tighter. Focus up close on a flower, plant or building to really capture its beauty.

Building Momentum

Reflections of buildings in water can make really interesting pictures.   Take photos of buildings from the corner as you’ll get two sides in the picture. Get really close to architectural details and play with angles and shadows.

Colour me Beautiful

Think about colour and its overall effect on your picture. To pep up photos, try having something bright red or yellow in the foreground. Consider the colour of the clothes your subjects are wearing and improvise if you have to.

Practice makes perfect

Don't be afraid to experiment. Particularly if you have a modern digital camera, you have the luxury of taking many shots and deleting those that don’t work. So go for it! It's better to take many shots that don't come off than to miss that one great photo. Get to know your camera. Get other people to comment on your photos and get their views on which ones have worked best. Most of all have some fun and be creative. Your photos can be a great source of enjoyment and provoke fond memories forever.

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