[Sony Xperia P, U, Sola, Go] Ronit008:
Hey Guys!

It’s a pleasure to see nothing but talent around the forum. Be it a Dr.Zen review, an answer to a query or a simple capture, the forum certainly blossoms expertise across several fields. Although, with special reference to the Fanography section and Zen is your Eyes, what I did realize was that many of you have the talent to look through a beautiful frame but not its overall composition. Here’s why I thought of giving you a few tips on the basics of photography.

Here’s What Could Have Gone Wrong With Your Capture:

1. Focus

Know that a beautiful picture starts with a sharp frame. A blur image would never be recognized as a beautiful image. It is important that you decide the subject within the frame. There could be a series of elements to focus over, although, choosing one over the rest will help you focus right. Let’s take a look at the example posted below:

Here’s what happens when you don’t focus right! Let’s say you’re in a hurry and do not focus over the subject, in this case, being the mug, the camera automatically picks up a subject within its range in the frame. In the picture below, the camera has focused on the calendar.

2. Stay Still

In relation to the first point, always make it a point to stand or sit still when capturing an image or your image is going to end up with a blur.

If you missed out on my article, here the link: How to shoot steady images with your Zenfone

3. Bad Lighting

This often comes across as the Mother of all problems. Your frame could be just perfect, although a bad lighting condition could literally ruin all emotions stored within the picture.

In such situations, adapt to a good shutter speed or make use of a White balance filter.

Although, make sure you pick through the right filter. The Cloudy Filter for example could make someone’s skin look orange. Below is an example of the same:

4. Avoid the Excuse

If you love a frame, go ahead and click it. Do not wait until the sun sets in the west or rises in the east. Chances are that you could lose a good frame, waiting for something that may not really help with a great frame. Instead, take up the challenge and shoot your best.

5. Cluttered Background

A cluttered background not only comes across messy but restricts a possible story that would have otherwise contributed to the capture. Below is an example of a cluttered frame. There’s so much going in within the frame that it’s strenuous to even look through it. Think about it? Would you want to shoot a frame this cluttered?

6. Subject

Apart from a good frame, story and rest, choosing the right subject is equally important. Just before you could go ahead and capture that pretty frame, ask yourself, would the subject do justice to my frame?

In the example posted below, the horse makes an additional subject and could as well be excluded.

7. Composition

Have you always got your composition right? A rather crucial feature, you may want to read up on the 'Rule of Thirds'. I have covered it in one of my articles. Make sure you look through it to get a deeper understanding on the same: 10 Zenfone Photography Tips Every Beginner Should Know!

8. Photoshop/Edit

Now that you have a beautiful image in place, avoid over doing it at the editing table or editing app. You don't want to ruin your capture at this stage, certainly not after taking the trouble to work your way through it. Below are a few examples for you to understand. If you over do the post processing bit, your pictures could stay overexposed or even grainy.

Hope this post comes across useful! This thread is open to suggestionsand discussions!