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Simple tips to take better photos

Take better photos and add exciting artistic effects to your photos with HP digital cameras. These can be edited using the design gallery features in the camera.

1) Use the sun to illuminate your photos

Natural sunlight provides some of the best light for great shots with richer details and vivid colors. Be careful:

o Really bright sunlight casts harsh shadows

o Overhead sunlight can wash out detail in faces

Advice: For best results, avoid taking pictures when the sun is directly overhead. This can cause harsh shadows. Also, try to shoot with the sun behind you. This prevents loss of detail caused by bright light.

2) Be creative on gray days

Less than ideal weather conditions won’t stop you from getting the perfect shot. Cloudy skies produce unique photos:

o Get interesting highlights with an improved mood

o Make the colors pop against the gray sky

Advice: Shooting in the rain can be fun, but be careful not to damage your camera. You can waterproof your camera by wrapping it in a plastic bag and cutting a hole for the lens to stick out of.

3) Capture stunning night photos

The key to getting great night photos is turning off the flash. Just follow these guidelines:

o Set the shutter speed slower to let in enough light

o Hold steady, slow shutter speeds blur photos

o Use a tripod or place the camera on a stationary surface

Advice: Put your camera on a tripod and set your shooting timer so there is no risk of your camera shaking when you press the trigger.

4) Golden Hour – A great time for some photo magic

Sunrise and sunset are what photographers call the “golden hour” or the “magic hour.” The photos taken at these moments are rich and dramatic:

o Get “golden” light instead of the blinding midday sun

o Your photos will have warm and welcoming colors.

Advice: Using golden hour is especially good for people shots, as it prevents harsh shadows on faces caused by the midday sun. Experiment with angles and zoom to find the perfect balance of light.

5) Get more effective flash photos

Flash is a great tool if you know how to get the most out of it. The key is to keep your distance:

o Your camera flash has a range of approximately 10 feet

Too far? Your photo will be too dark.

Too close? bright light blows detail

Advice: The best way to avoid overexposed flash photos is to step back and zoom in on your subject. This way the flash is a good distance from the subject, but you still get a close-up.

6) Keep pesky “red-eye” out of your photos

The flash reflecting off the retina of the subject’s eyes is what causes the common red-eye problem. Reduce red-eye by following these guidelines:

o Move outdoors or to brighter light

o Have your subject avoid looking directly into the lens

Advice: Many HP cameras offer automatic in-camera red-eye removal.

7) Move your subject for more attractive photos

You don’t have to center your subject in every photo you take. Create more visual interest by using the rule of thirds:

o Split your photo into a tic tac toe grid

o Place the main “interest” at the intersections of the grid

o Use photo software to crop later if necessary

Advice: For starters, you don’t always get the perfect shot, so keeping the rule of thirds in mind, try cropping the photo after you’ve taken it with the HP Photosmart Essential Software to get the same effect.

8) Change the angle and create more impact

The difference between a good photo and a great photo is sometimes just a matter of how you approach it.

o Change the camera angle for creative shots

o Move your camera relative to the subject

o Zoom in or out to change the composition

Advice:Try these ideas to get a different perspective when taking a photo:

o Hold your camera at arm’s length above your head

o Lie down on the floor

o Get very close to your subject

9) Add more visual appeal to your shots

Sometimes the best way to draw attention to your center of interest is to create a frame around it.

o A “frame” helps the subject stand out

o Add drama, depth and interest

o Use scenic elements such as trees or other objects

Advice: Once you have positioned your subject in the area where you want to take the photo, always look at it from several different angles to locate objects that you can use to frame your photo. Use scenic elements such as trees or other objects.

10) Add depth and interest with lines

Create interesting perspective and enhance ordinary shots by using straight or curved lines within the frame.

o The lines lead the eye to the center of interest

o Look for brick walls, sidewalks, fences, and curbs

o Shoot angled lines for unique shots

Advice: Get creative with the lines in your photo. Place your subject in a corner where a fence intersects, or use a long sidewalk to “target” your subject.

11) The right background makes a better photo

Backgrounds can play a huge role in how interesting your photo is. Consider these points when choosing a fund:

o Watch for clutter and other distracting items

o Do not use a busy or competitive background

o Remove objects that connect to the subject

Advice: Watch out for background items that may look strange when photographed, such as a light pole sticking out from behind someone’s head.

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