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You don't have much time left to mail out your family holiday picture, and we've got some suggestions on what you can do to make sure your photos looks as good as they possibly can.
Photographers say these new-fangled digital cameras are pretty much idiot-proof, and even if you take a bad picture, you can just get rid of it and take a better one. But there are a few details most amateur photographers overlook. For instance, some people might not be framing their subjects correctly.
"Most people have a little ‘X' in the middle of their viewfinder, or a circle, and they think they're supposed to put that right on the face of the person they're taking the picture of," said Brian Twede, owner of Twede Photography. He says eye lines should be down about one-third from the top of the frame.
If you plan on taking a picture near Christmas lights, Twede says worry about the lights first. "Stand back at a good distance so you can get the lights to look great, and then move your family or friends into position so that they fill the frame. That way, you get great lights and great family pictures," he said.
Twede says it may be easier for amateur photographers to take better indoor pictures than outdoor pictures. Whether you shoot a picture inside or out, here's a tip, and it might sound strange: Turn off your flash and use other light sources.
"Today's cameras are really sensitive. They've got great sensors and they're built for this kind of work," Twede said. He says the flash may be too harsh for some pictures and could flatten the subject.
Strangely enough, if you're taking a picture outdoors at noon, you should turn on your flash. "It would help to open up the shadows in that harsh light condition," explained Steve Coray, design owner of Coray Photography.
Coray says the sunlight during daybreak or early evening is better. "It's usually less harsh. It's usually more directional. It's sometimes warmer," he said.
Another tricky holiday shot involves a snowy backdrop. Digital cameras actually dim this shot down, making the subjects look a little grey. You can usually override this in the cameras menu by adding two "stops" to the exposure.
E-mail: pnelson@ksl.com
