What you can do
with your photos
In this course, you’ll learn all about working with photos on your computer. You’ll discover how your computer stores and organises photos, how you can get photos on to your computer, and where you can find photos on the internet.
You’ll also be introduced to how you can edit photos on your computer to improve them and get them ready for printing or sharing.
To get started, we have a short animation to watch including top tips for getting the best out of your photography.
Transcript
Welcome to '7 tips for taking better photos'. In this video, you'll learn seven easy tips to help you take great photos. We've all snapped a photo that didn't quite capture that precious moment as we'd hoped. Sure, it's in focus and it's not too dark or bright, but something still isn't quite right. Don't worry, with these simple tips, you'll be snapping pics like a pro.
Compose your photos thoughtfully It can be a good idea to position your subject off-centre. It's also okay to have your subject in the centre of the shot. But if you want to try something different, imagine the scene you want to capture is divided into an approximate grid of three equal sections. This is known as the 'rule of thirds'. Position the subject of your photo at one of these grid lines. This rule applies to landscapes too. Try approximately lining up your horizon line with the grid line. Hey presto, composition perfection. Once you know about the rule of thirds, you'll start seeing it use to compose photos everywhere. Inspect your background carefully Try to avoid distracting backgrounds. Be particularly careful of the area surrounding your subject, as a simple clean backdrop often makes for a more pleasing composition.
Frame your subject carefully When arranging your shot, leave a bit of space between your subject and the edges of the photo. Make sure there's a suitable space between their head and the top of the photo. This is called the headroom. If you're taking a full body photo, be careful not to cut out any limbs or other extremities. Work your angles Positioning your camera at the eye level of your subject or slightly higher can often be more flattering than low angles. Keep this in mind when taking a selfie too.
Experiment with angles. Your subject might look too flat or one dimensional if they're facing the camera straight on. Ask them to turn ever so slightly to one side or the other. If you're taking a photo of a small child or pet, it can be a good idea to get the camera down low to their eye level. Or if you're photographing a group of people, you might want to get the camera really high so you can fit everyone in. Ensure the horizon line is straight If you can see the horizon line in your photo, ensure that it's straight rather than on a slant.
Using the rule of thirds, you might want to compose your photo so that the horizon line is towards the top or bottom of the photo rather than the middle. This is a good idea at sunrise or sunset so you can capture more of the sky. Understand your light source Knowing where the light is coming from can make all the difference to your photos. Is there a lamp or overhead light source? Or is it coming through a window from the sun? Try to photograph your subject facing this light source whenever possible. If the light source is behind your subject, they will be in shadow unless you have a strong camera flash, of course. Remember, too, when snapping photos outdoors, the light is often more flattering on a cloudy day or in the soft light hours of early morning or late afternoon.
Clean your camera lens regularly If you're having trouble getting your subject in focus, you might just have a dirty camera lens. Fingerprints can often be the culprit. Clean the lens on your smartphone or camera regularly using a microfibre cloth or a specialised lens cleaning kit. Follow these tips, and you'll be well on the way to capturing your precious moments in a perfect photo.
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1
What you can do with photos and your computer
4 min
2
Where to get photos to edit
5 min
3
Getting photos onto your computer
6 min
4
Preparing and improving photos for editing
6 min
5
How your computer organises your photos
7 min