In a city of ‘must-capture’ moments, wouldn’t it be great to know how to take better photos?
We’ve all be there; thought we’d snapped a truly great, Insta grid or photo frame-worthy shot only for the reality to be rather different (out of focus, overexposed, angles all off).
Well, enough is enough: whether you’re the proud owner of a flash camera or your smart phone serves you well, here’s how to take snaps that will make you proud, whatever the subject matter.
How to take great photos of…the desert
The vast landscape around you is stunning, the sand shimmers, the sunlight glints and the photo should be sensational. Except it’s not. To avoid such disappointment on your next foray into the desert, we consulted the team at Gulf Photo Plus (because if anyone knows a thing or ten about taking fantastic images, it’s these guys). Here’s what they had to say:
“For impactful landscape photos, light is super important. The golden hour just after sunrise or right before sunset is the best time to take photographs, particularly in the desert. If you’re focusing on palm trees or camels (for example), make sure you photograph them in odd numbers – that way compositionally you’ll get a more visually appealing result. For an actual sunrise or sunset shoot, mount your camera on a tripod and slow the shutter speed down so that the colours are fully saturated.”
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How to take great photos of…your children
‘And…cheese!’ Hands up if you’ve tried and failed to capture the perfect image of your little angel(s) more times than you care to remember? Well don’t give up just yet. Here’s what Jay Alonzo, one of the most established commercial photographers in the UAE has to say about taking photos of children.
“Ask them to do something they enjoy, whether that’s playing with water or a favourite toy or petting the dog – that way the shot will feel more natural and you’ll record real emotion. Also, using a fast shutter speed will help you to capture their facial expressions.”
Rama Ghanem from Gulf Photo Plus adds: “Make sure you always have your camera around! The more comfortable children are with seeing a camera in everyday life the more likely they’ll be to relax in front of it. Also, get them involved in the making of their photos; ask them how they’d like to be photographed or portrayed.”
How to take great photos of…the Burj Khalifa
You definitely don’t need us to tell you that taking a photo that does the Burj Khalifa justice is tricky (how do you get the tallest building in the world in one frame, to start with?). This is what the GPP experts advise.
“For the best results when photographing landmarks and architectural structures like the Burj Khalifa you want to do so at golden hour, when the light is the warmest. Another tip would be to take the image from far away, follow the Rule of Thirds and use a long lens to capture cool patterns or details.”
How to take great photos of…your food
Whether you’re doing it for the ‘gram or your own personal collection, if you want to take swoon-worthy images of your food, Toby Davies, the director of photography for Dubai-based food content creators SugarSnap Creative says that there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
“The most important aspect of food photography is light. Put simply, food looks best when it is lit from the back or from the side, so the light source (for example, a window) should always be behind or to the side of your food. By doing this you create shadows and add texture and dimension to the image.”
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How to take great photos of…yourself
Ah the ultimate selfie. We’ve all attempted it (if you deny it, you’re fibbing) and as such can conclude that it’s harder than it looks, so it’s back to Jay A for advice on how to master the art of the me shot.
“Position the camera (or your mobile phone) so that it’s a bit higher than your eyeline; doing so creates a flattering angle that ultimately makes your face appeal smaller and slimmer. Remember that harsh light and direct sunlight will emphasise any skin imperfections, while soft light or shade helps creates a softer effect.”
How to take better photos of…a large group of friends
Ah, the group shot – always a tough one. And while it might seem futile to attempt to capture a photo of everyone looking in the right direction/ engaging with the camera/giving the illusion that they’re enjoying themselves, according to Jay A doing so is perfectly possible.
“Avoid lining people up in a row – you want them to look and feel like they’re having fun! Instead, add depth and interest to the shot by playing with heights (have some of your subjects sitting and others standing) and encourage people to pose in way that they feel comfortable – that way a bit of natural character shines through.
Although most photographers will reach for a wide-angle lens when shooting a group, in order to lesson distortion (particularly size and shape proportions), I’d advise using a semi-wide or even normal lens.”
Find out more here:
Gulf Photo Plus: gulfphotoplus.com
Learn from Jay A: www.learnfromjaya.com
SugarSnap Creative: www.sugarsnapcreative.me
