Every now and then I hear someone complain that their photos look boring, or that the photos they have taken of a scene or subject don’t do it justice. So I thought I’d put together a little series of tips for taking better photos!
‘Better’ is obviously a subjective concept, so for the purpose of these tips, I mean photos that the photographer themself is more pleased with.
One good tip for ending up with more interesting photos is to stay with the subject. Don’t just take one photo and think that’s it; I have a photo of it now. Don’t give up so easily. Persevere. Examine the subject or scene for a longer period of time and consideration.
For example, I saw these ferns on my dog walk yesterday and thought I’d take a nice photo of them.
Wow. How underwhelming! Possibly the most boring photo I’ve taken all year. First of all, the light was crap for this kind of shot. Very flat and bland. Compare the light with a shot I took during another dog walk a week ago.
This kind of light gives a photo depth and mood.
Damn, OK. What can I do in these drab conditions? What if I go closer? After all, “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough”, as the great Robert Capa once said.
I’ll apply my favourite filter as well: one that simulates the old landscape photographers’ favourite: Fuji Velvia slide film. One that I like to use with a bit of soft focus and underexposure.
But. Not much better. Let’s try a different composition.
OK… slightly more interesting perhaps. But doesn’t excite me. Move closer?
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTMyLmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0932.jpg 675w)
Hmmm, not convinced. OK, let’s try every ‘creative approach’ recommended: look up! Go down, and look up.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTM1LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0935.jpg 675w)
Nah. Hang on, what’s next to these ferns?
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTM5LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTM5LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0939.jpg 900w)
OK. Nice. Kind of. What else? Oh, hang on, let me take a photo looking down on the ferns!
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTQ4LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTQ4LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0948.jpg 900w)
Kinda nice. Oooo! This one has a plant in the middle of it!
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTQ5LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTQ5LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0949.jpg 900w)
Sweet! What else can I do… Oooo! A nettle!
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU0LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU0LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0954.jpg 900w)
Let’s try a different position for the nettle. In the other “thirds” position… quite like it.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU1LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU1LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0955.jpg 900w)
Can I do something a bit more abstract with the ferns?
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU2LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU2LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0956.jpg 900w)
Yes, I like it! One with a nettle? :D
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU4LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTU4LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0958.jpg 900w)
Make the nettle more important part of the photo? The nettle is beautiful. Event if it hurts.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTYyLmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTYyLmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0962.jpg 900w)
Two centres? I’m loving this one right now.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTY1LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTY1LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0965.jpg 900w)
One more, a closeup of the pretty plant in the middle of one of the ferns.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTc0LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTc0LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0974.jpg 900w)
Let’s try something more abstract again.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTY2LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTY2LmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0966.jpg 900w)
I think this is my favourite.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTcyLmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1L0lNR18wOTcyLmpwZw%3D%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/IMG_0972.jpg 900w)
Love it!
So this is what can happen when you see something you like and stay with the subject, rather than take one snap and be disappointed that you didn’t get an interesting photo of it. You go from the photo on the left to the photo on the right.
![](http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1LzIwMTktMDUtMjNfMDAwMS0xMDI0eDM0MC5qcGc%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=480 480w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1LzIwMTktMDUtMjNfMDAwMS0xMDI0eDM0MC5qcGc%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=768 768w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/?pp_route=%2Fimage-resize&path=L2hvbWVwYWdlcy80MC9kODQzOTA0MDI4L2h0ZG9jcy9vbGRodGRvY3MvbGlnaHR0cmljay9CbG9nL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDE5LzA1LzIwMTktMDUtMjNfMDAwMS0xMDI0eDM0MC5qcGc%3D&template_id=24a42798-7d16-4237-b0c1-c471d7b5f1cb&width=992 992w,http://lighttrick.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/2019-05-23_0001-1024x340.jpg 1024w)
This is also the reason why a person with an enthusiastic interest in photography is not popular with family members who don’t possess an equivalent interest in photography. :D
If you have a photography enthusiast in your family, be sure to confiscate their mobile phone (let alone their camera!) unless you want to spend endless hours waiting for them on your travels.