How to take good photographs

Modern compact digital cameras mean it's possible to produce good photographs with very little technical input and by following the basic pointers below, you can improve your shots to a surprising extent. However, taking control can be fun, too, so experiment with the manual settings to yield some exciting results.

People

Consider the background: you don't want a tree branch sticking straight out of someone's head. If the person or group you're ‘shooting' are staring into strong sun they'll be squinting - with unflattering effects. Surprisingly, it's worth trying to take a photograph in shade - digital cameras compensate for low light. Context is important, too - include other elements of interest; if you're on a visit to a country estate, for example, include the house in the picture to one side.

Landscapes

The countryside is very sensitive to lighting. Photographers recommend taking pictures in ‘the golden hours', those before 10am and after 4pm. As a general rule, it's best to avoid midday; when the sun is directly overhead, landscapes look two dimensional. It is also beneficial to have foreground interest (cluster of flowers, for example) leading into the view. To ensure both features are in focus, adjust the setting to ‘scenery' mode for depth of field.

Flowers

Plants are best shot in subdued light - bright sun tends to ‘blow' their colours, so a day with thin cloud is ideal. Experiment with angles: shooting flowers from the ground up offers an insect eye's view with a background of sky. For meadows, follow the rules of landscape photography - this time including a foreground element such as a log or bird.

Wildlife

There are two critical factors for a great animal picture: make sure the eyes are sharp and that they catch the light so they sparkle (ie the animal is looking into the sun). Allow it some room in the frame so it appears to be flying into the shot. One step further is the technique of panning: moving the camera slowly, mimicking the movement of the animal, which will also blur the background.

How to get the most from your compact camera

You don't need a flashy SLR camera - you can get some great shots with your digital compact. Follow these tips from John Archer-Thomson, Assistant Head of the Field Studies Council's Dale Fort Field Centre

Use the technology

Modern compacts are loaded with technology to help produce great pictures with little camera know-how from the photographer, so when things are happening fast (like rapidly changing light; fleeting glimpse of a badger, for example) make the most of this technology to look after the details while you concentrate on getting the shot!

The next step

Once you're comfortable with the camera, you can get a bit more from it by testing out some of the settings. Try to resist the urge to just see a picture, hold the camera at arms length, click and think the job is done. By all means do this first, to ensure you get the shot, but then experiment with changes in position (body and camera) to see the effect this has on composition. Bend your legs, shoot from above or, for plants, why not shoot upwards from ground level to get pictures of flowers against the sky?

Take time to look

Take a look at your image on screen after you have taken a shot. Do you like the composition? Is the picture too light or dark? If the exposure is not to your liking then use exposure compensation to lighten things up or darken them down. This control is usually marked with a little +/- symbol, go negative to darken images, go positive to lighten. If you don't have this control then try standing with your back to the sun, focus the camera on some grass (by pressing the shutter button half way) the same distance from you as your subject, then keeping your finger on the half-pressed shutter recompose and press all the way down. This gets the camera to expose for a mid-tone and should help with extreme lighting conditions.

Master the ISO

Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it sounds. Most compacts will automatically adjust the ISO (sensitivity) for you but bear in mind the following:

Low ISO = better picture quality but slower shutter speed and hence you might suffer from camera shake (blurred pictures).
High ISO = poorer picture quality but faster shutter speed and less chance of camera shake.
The easiest thing to do is set the ISO to a good quality setting e.g. ISO 100 and then alter it if you need to in poor light.

Get flashy!

The flash isn't just for taking pictures at night. A subtle burst of flash can enhance many pictures, especially on dull days. As a starting point go into the flash menu, try setting the flash to 'rear' or 'slow' and then dial in minus 1.7 on the flash exposure compensation control. The camera will expose for the ambient light but then add a subtle splash of light to add a bit of sparkle. You can alter the amount of flash to suit when looking at the result on your screen. Obviously this won't work if your subject is far away, flashes are not that powerful!

Use some support

Many photographers use a tripod to steady the camera during longer exposures to avoid camera shake and blurry pictures. If you don't fancy the idea of lugging one around, use natural supports like fence posts, tree branches or friend's shoulders as a substitute. Perhaps sit down and use your own knee as a support! You can usually find something suitable if you have a look.

Depth of field

Compacts tend to have a broad depth-of-field. This means if you focus on something eg a bird, then objects behind and in front of the subject will be in focus too. But you can play with this using the f-numbers on ‘aperture priority' setting. A big f-number will make more of your picture (front to back) in focus (but will reduce the shutter speed). A small f-number will reduce the amount that is in focus but increases the shutter speed.

A final word

Taking control of your camera is fun and can improve your pictures but always remember to reset your camera to your preferred default settings each time so that if something unexpected happens you are ready to shoot as quickly as possible.

Getting started

Read...

'Collins Complete Photography Course' by John Garrett and Graeme Harris (Collins, £14.99).

'The Digital Photography Book: The Step-by-step Secrets for How to Make Your Photos Look Like the Pros' by Scott Kelby (Peachpitt Press, £13.99)

'Teach Yourself Photography' by Lee Frost (£12.99, Teach Yourself)

'Digital Photography: A Beginner's Guide' by Steve Bavister (£14.48, Collins and Brown)

'Digital Photography For Dummies' by Julie Adair King and Serge Timacheff (£15.99, John Wiley & Sons)

'100 Ways To Take Better Landscape Photographs' by Guy Edwardes (£14.99, David & Charles)

Visit...

Try www.shortcourses.com for an online guide to choosing and getting the most from your digital camera, plus more

Digital camera news and reviews at www.megapixel.net

Buying guides and forums on digital photography from www.dpreview.com

Go on a course

Nature and landscape photography

At Field Studies Council centres across the country. A variety of tutored courses include insect workshops and the art of nature, as well as those focusing on camera skills. Prices vary but can include accommodation at the centres or non-residential.
www.field-studies-council.org, 0845 345 4071  

Photography Made Simple

A range of courses based at more than a dozen venues around the UK, including rural locations such as Stourhead in Wiltshire. Courses even include Mobile Phone Photography Made Simple! Prices vary. www.photographymadesimple.co.uk

Landscape, Nature & Bird Photography Course

At Rutland Water, Rutland on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th September 2010. This one day course is suitable for beginners and intermediate alike - learn how to snap great wildlife shots. Places cost £125 including lunch. www.digitalphotographycourses.co.uk/bird-photography-course

Norfolk and Suffolk landscape photography

Around Norfolk and Suffolk. Throughout the year. Join a workshop with professional photographer Chris Herring and learn how to take beautiful shots of the stunning coast of East Anglia. Places cost from £50. www.theuklandscape.com