A
Anticipate the Moment
Always be ready.
B
Background Matters
Look behind the main subject.
C
Change Your Perspective
Shoot from high, low, near, and far.
D
Don’t Rush
Pause. Look again. The better composition is often obvious after three extra seconds.
E
Embrace Natural Light
Window light can be your best light indoors.
F
Fill the Frame
If something is worth photographing, get close enough to show why.
G
Golden Hour is Golden
Soft shadows and warm tones flatter almost every subject.
H
Hold Still
Brace yourself.
I
Isolate the Subject
Using depth-of-field can make a big difference.
J
Just Shoot
You can fix it later.
K
Keep It Simple
One strong subject usually beats several competing ones.
L
Look for Lines
Leading lines naturally guide the viewer’s eye.
M
Move Your Feet
Getting closer give you a better view and better composition.
N
Notice the Edges
Be like Sherlock Holmes and look for the details.
O
Observe Before Shooting
Spend a few seconds studying the scene—patterns reveal themselves.
P
Patience Pays Off
Clouds shift for those who wait.
Q
Question Every Shot
Ask: Ask yourself how you could have improved the shot.
R
Rules are Great
And then learn how and when to break them.
S
Shoot More Than One
Tiny differences between frames often separate good from great.
T
Tell a Story
What you shoot today will be a memory for decades.
U
Use the Weather
Fog, rain, and snow are often better than sun.
V
Vary Your Distance
Wide angles and closeups make interesting photos.
W
Watch the Light Direction
Light is more important than cameras.
X
eXperiment Without Fear
Some of your favorite images will come from accidents.
Y
Your Eye is the Real Camera
Gear helps, but seeing is the true skill.
Z
Zoom With Your Mind
Crop the strongest composition before taking the picture.