By Gayle Vehar

www.momandcamera.com

Okay, so we all want better photos. As much as I love my digital SLR and using manual mode on my camera, most of these tricks aren’t limited to those with “big fancy” cameras–these little tricks can be used by ANY camera! So, let’s dive in!

1. Turn off your flash! It is almost impossible to use on-camera flash and get a beautiful photograph. That super harsh direct light fired directly at your subject just isn’t flattering! I refer to it as the Flash of Death. If possible (and it is if you have a DSLR) turn off the flash and look for areas of beautiful natural light wherever you are. When indoors, that beautiful light can be found near glass doors or windows. When outside, that light can be found almost anywhere. I don’t mean NEVER use your on-camera flash–by all means don’t miss your daughter’s birthday or first dance recital over it. However, if you learn to turn off your flash and find the pockets of beautiful light, it will improve your photos 100%!!

2. Not all photos need to have your child looking at the camera and smiling. When I first started taking photos (okay–I sometimes still do it), I was constantly telling my children to “Look at me and smile!” We aren’t always smiling in real life and often when someone tells us to smile we present them with a fake (for the camera) smile. Don’t get me wrong–I still want smiles sometimes, but I have learned that capturing my subjects when they are not looking or even smiling is way more precious. It is then that they are fully themselves.

3. Fill your viewfinder with your subject. If you follow just ONE rule, have it be this one. If the subject is my son, then I fill the viewfinder with him, but if the subject is just his expression or his feet then I fill my viewfinder with that. If my subject is my blossoming tree then I need the tree to fill my viewfinder. But if my subject is just the beautiful blossoms on the tree then I need to fill my viewfinder with beautiful blossoms!

4. Practice everyday! I know this sounds CRAZY. I mean WHO could take a picture everyday, right?!?! I honestly think the fastest way to get better at taking photos is to do it everyday and share with others the pictures you are taking. It is also the fastest way to improve your manual mode skills. If you aren’t taking photos everyday (or at the very least many times a week) you won’t remember what to do when you pull your camera out or improve your skills.

I’d love to have you come visit me over at Mom and Camera! I wish you the best in your quest for better photos!

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Big, huge thank you must go out to Gayle!! She has a such a gift and we are very thankful that she shared it with us here at Lil Blue Boo. We feel so lucky that she took the time to write these posts for our readers. Be sure to follow along at Mom & Camera for more amazing tips and check out her store where you can purchase some of her incredible prints!

The only way to get better at taking photos is to practice. Now that Gayle Vehar has taught you how to use the manual function on your camera, you have no excuses for staying in auto mode 😉 Professionals, show us your best photo….we want to be inspired (because we are pretty sure you aren’t shooting in auto). Here is an example of photo I took using some of Gayle’s tips to get a nice exposure. I’m shooting wide open so that my background is super blurry.

Photographers of ALL backgrounds are welcome to enter! Whether you just picked up the hobby yesterday or you have been in the business for a while, we want to see how you shoot in manual. To be fair, we will be splitting the entries into two categories: amateur and professional. We will upload your photos to the Lil Blue Boo Facebook page and then the voting will begin! The top 10 photos from each category plus 5 photos from each category that Lil Blue Boo feels should go onto the final round will be judged by Gayle Vehar. She will have the difficult job of selecting a winner from each category!

To enter:
1. Email your favorite photo taken in manual mode to lisa @ lilblueboo dot com. Please let us know how you would like to be recognized, if you prefer to be anonymous that is fine. Watermarks are welcome on your photos.
2. Please designate “amateur” or “professional” category.

The deadline for photo submission is Friday October 29th. International entries are welcome.