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Top Ten Tips for Great Pictures
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TIP ONE - Get down to their level |
- Hold your camera at the subject's eye level to capture the power of those magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles
- For kids and pets that means getting down on their level to take the picture
- They don't have to look directly into the camera, the eye level angle by itself will create a personal and inviting feeling
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TIP TWO - Use a plain background |
- Before taking a picture, check the area behind your subject
- Lookout for trees or poles sprouting from your subjects head
- A cluttered background will be distracting while a plain background wil emphasize your subject
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TIP THREE - Use flash outdoors |
- Even outdoors, use the flash setting on the camera to improve pictures
- Use it in bright sunlight to lighten dark shadows under the eyes and nose, especially when the sun is directly overhead or behind your subject
- Use it on cloudy days, to brighten up faces and make them stand out from the background
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TIP FOUR - Move in close |
- To create impactful pictures, move in close and fill your picture with the subject
- Move a few steps closer of use the zoom until the subject fills the viewfinder. You will eliminate background distractions and show off the details in your subject
- For small objects. use the camera's macro or 'flower' mode to get sharp close-ups
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TIP FIVE - Take some vertical pictures |
- Make subjects look better in a vertical picture - from the Eiffel Tower to portraits of your friends
- Make a conscious effort to turn your camera sideways and take some vertical pictures
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TIP SIX - Lock the focus |
- Lock the focus to create a sharp picture of the off-center subjects
1. Center the subject
2. Press the shutter button half way down
3. Re-frame your picture (while still holding the shutter button)
4. Finish by pressing the shutter button all the way
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TIP SEVEN - Move it from the middle |
- Bring your picture to life simply by placing your subject off-center
- Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your viewfinder. Now place your subject at one of the intersections of lines
- Since most cameras focus on whatever's in the middle, remember to lock the focus on your subject before re-framing the shot
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TIP EIGHT - Know your flash's range |
- Pictures taken beyond the maximum flash range will be too dark
- For many cameras that's only ten feet - about four steps away. Check your manual to be sure
- If the subject is further than ten feet from the camera, the picture may be too dark
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TIP NINE - Watch the light |
- Great light makes great pictures. Study the effects of light in your pictures
- For people pictures, choose the soft lighting of cloudy days. Avoid overhead sunlight that casts harsh shadows across faces
- For scenic pictures, use the long shadows and color of early and late day
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TIP TEN - Be a picture director |
- Take an extra minute and become a picture director, not just a passive picture taker
- Add some props, rearrange your subjects, or try a different viewpoint
- Bring your subjects together and let their personalities shine. Then watch your pictures dramatically improve
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Vermont Hand Crafters Fine Craft & Art Show – South Burlington November 19, 2009 to November 22, 2009 |
Trey McIntyre Project -- Cambridge November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009 |
Bill Blagg III: A Night of Magic -- Springfield November 20, 2009 to November 21, 2009 |
Artfull Gifts Gift Show – Camden-Belfast November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009 |
America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration -- Plymouth November 20, 2009 to November 22, 2009 |
Karmic Relief: A Cornucopia of Comedy -- Deep River November 21, 2009 |
Crafts at the Capitol -- Concord November 21, 2009 to November 22, 2009 |
Tupelo Night of Comedy – Salisbury November 21, 2009 |
Tap Dogs – New Haven November 21, 2009 |
Homes for the Holidays Tour -- Gloucester November 21, 2009 |
Harvey Robbins's Royalty of Doo Wopp and Stars of Motown -- Worcester November 21, 2009 |
Gospel Choir Fall Concert -- Cabot November 21, 2009 |
Annual Game Supper -- Rupert November 21, 2009 |
Southern Vermont Fiber Event -- Brattleboro November 21, 2009 |
Festival of Sweets -- Burlington November 21, 2009 to November 22, 2009 |
Burlington Choral Society Fall Concert -- Burlington November 21, 2009 |
Sara Tavares -- Cambridge November 21, 2009 |
Dark Star Orchestra -- Lowell November 21, 2009 |
Cuisine of Provençale dinner – Deerfield November 21, 2009 |
Big-Time Vaudeville with Michael Trautman and Michael Menes -- Gardiner November 21, 2009 |
Thanksgiving Parade -- Plymouth November 21, 2009 |
Ringing in the Season -- Bath November 21, 2009 |
Dan Hicks & the Hot Licks -- Norfolk November 21, 2009 |
Lighting Ceremony at Faneuil Hall Marketplace -- Boston November 21, 2009 |
Fine Art and Craft Show by Designing Women -- Freeport November 21, 2009 |
Frozen Turkey Hunt – Boothbay November 21, 2009 |
Open Hearth Cooking Class: A Thanksgiving Menu -- Deerfield November 21, 2009 |
Pianist Peter Serkin -- Portland November 22, 2009 |
Pennsylvania Girlchoir -- Westport November 22, 2009 |
Enter The Haggis -- Norfolk November 22, 2009 |
Leon Russell -- Norfolk November 24, 2009 |
Jeff Pitchell & Texas Flood -- -- Norfolk November 25, 2009 |
Peterborough Thanksgiving Eve Contra Dance – Peterborough November 25, 2009 |
Festival of Wreaths – Nantucket November 25, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Thanksgiving Day Celebration -- Sturbridge November 26, 2009 |
Greg Piccolo and The Heavy Juice Expansion Pac! – Westerly November 26, 2009 |
That's Amore: A Celebration of Dean Martin and Friends -- Springfield November 27, 2009 |
Vineyard Artisans Holiday Festival – West Tisbury, Martha’s Vineyard November 27, 2009 to November 28, 2009 |
Littleton Christmas Celebration November 27, 2009 |
Gallagher -- Salisbury November 27, 2009 |
Not Another Bite. Dining in the Early 19th Century -- Waltham November 27, 2009 |
Thanksgiving Holiday Tours – North Bennington November 27, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Christkindlmarkt - Christmas Market -- Newington November 27, 2009 |
BLiNK! An Evening of Magic -- Portsmouth November 27, 2009 to November 28, 2009 |
United Maine Craftsmen's Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show -- Brewer November 27, 2009 to November 28, 2009 |
Soul Shot – Westerly November 27, 2009 |
Parade of the Big Balloons -- Springfield November 27, 2009 |
Holiday Tree Lighting -- Portland November 27, 2009 |
Local Craft & Wares Fair – Bethel November 27, 2009 |
Arrival of Santa Claus – Westerly November 27, 2009 |
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides with Santa – Old Lyme November 27, 2009 |
Christmas in the Mansion – Milford November 27, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Thanksgiving Celebration at Billings Farm & Museum – Woodstock November 27, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Lighting of the Nubble -- York November 28, 2009 |
Season of Thanks 2009 -- Deerfield November 28, 2009 |
Santa Arrives by Dogsled – Waterville Valley November 28, 2009 |
BEATexpo 2009 -- Stamford November 28, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Torchlight Parade & Fireworks with Santa & Mrs. Claus -- West Dover November 28, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Roomful of Blues-- Westerly November 28, 2009 |
Holiday Open House at the Old Stone House Museum – Brownington November 28, 2009 |
Charles Dickens's Great-Great-Grandson Performs "A Christmas Carol" – Sutton November 28, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Makem & Spain Brothers -- Rochester November 28, 2009 |
Santa at the Zoo – Providence November 28, 2009 |
St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center Winter Carnival -- Woonsocket November 28, 2009 to November 29, 2009 |
Coco Montoya with Jen Lowe -- Norfolk November 29, 2009 |
Wallingford Symphony Orchestra Holiday Pops Concert – Wallingford November 29, 2009 |
Wynonna Judd Holiday Show – New Bedford December 1, 2009 |
The Lee Duo performs chamber music -- Storrs December 1, 2009 |
“A Christmas Carol” -- Manchester December 2, 2009 |
Snowflakes and festive art at the Currier -- Manchester December 3, 2009 |
“A Christmas Carol” – Concord December 3, 2009 |
Brian Culbertson's A Soulful Christmas -- Norfolk December 3, 2009 |
New Haven Tree Lighting Celebration December 3, 2009 |
Sparkle Weekend -- Freeport December 4, 2009 to December 5, 2009 |
“The Nutcracker” -- Worcester December 4, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
“The Nutcracker” -- Rochester December 4, 2009 to December 5, 2009 |
Hansel and Gretel -- Boston December 4, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
"My Three Angels" -- Hyde Park December 4, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
Comedy with Tim Gage and Chris Monty -- Norfolk December 4, 2009 |
Homes for the Holidays Tour -- New Canaan December 4, 2009 |
Jingle Jam -- Storrs December 4, 2009 |
“It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” -- Bridgeport December 4, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
The Barra MacNeils with a Celtic Christmas – Manchester December 4, 2009 |
Firelight Festival – Guilford December 4, 2009 |
Maine Indian Basketmakers Sale and Demonstration -- Orono December 5, 2009 |
Spirit of the Season Christmas Parade – Manchester December 5, 2009 |
Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas December 5, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
Chester Greenwood Day -- Farmington December 5, 2009 |
A Holiday Celebration for Families – Stockbridge December 5, 2009 |
Downtown Holiday Festival -- Providence December 5, 2009 |
Choral Art Society presents Christmas at the Cathedral -- Portland December 5, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
Cherish the Ladies Celtic Christmas -- Woodstock December 5, 2009 |
“The Toys Take Over Christmas” -- Burlington December 5, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
The North Pole Express -- Lyndonville December 5, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
Boston Pops Winter Gala -- Storrs December 5, 2009 |
Vermont Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Concert -- Burlington December 5, 2009 |
“A Christmas Carol 2009” – New Bedford December 5, 2009 |
Audubon Holiday Craft Fair -- Smithfield December 5, 2009 |
Sing We Now of Christmas! -- Manchester December 5, 2009 |
Holiday Open House -- Tiverton December 5, 2009 to December 6, 2009 |
Winter Wonderlands Holiday Tea -- Boothbay December 5, 2009 |
Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair – Portsmouth December 6, 2009 |
Holiday Culinary Tour – New Haven December 7, 2009 |
The Ying Quartet -- Manchester December 8, 2009 |
A Crystal Christmas -- Rochester December 9, 2009 |
Trans-Siberian Orchestra -- Providence December 10, 2009 |
A Christmas Celtic Sojourn -- Worcester December 11, 2009 |
Irish Christmas with An Nollaig in Eirinn -- Concord December 11, 2009 |
seARTS Wearable Arts Show & Sale – Gloucester December 11, 2009 to December 12, 2009 |
Vienna Boys Choir -- Woodstock December 11, 2009 |
Christmas by the Sea – Ogunquit December 11, 2009 to December 12, 2009 |
Wassail Weekend at Billings Farm – Woodstock December 11, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
Craft Boston Holiday 2009 -- Boston December 11, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
Festival of Lights -- Mystic December 11, 2009 |
“All I Want for Christmas” with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra – Barre, Burlington, Rutland December 11, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
Historic Musical Reunion -- Providence December 11, 2009 |
A Night Before Christmas with Spyro Gyra – New Haven December 11, 2009 |
Strafford Wind Symphony Christmas Concert -- Rochester December 12, 2009 |
Cookies & Snow – Waterville Valley December 12, 2009 |
Vermont's Own Nutcracker 2009 -- Johnson December 12, 2009 |
Jamestown Community Chorus concert -- Jamestown December 12, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
Cultural Survival Bazaar – Cambridge December 12, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
US Air Force Holiday Show – New Bedford December 12, 2009 |
Winterscapes -- Providence December 12, 2009 |
Warm Up for the Holidays -- Portsmouth December 12, 2009 |
TubaChristmas – Wolfeboro December 12, 2009 |
Victorian Nutcracker with the Portland Ballet – North Conway December 12, 2009 to December 13, 2009 |
Vienna Boys Choir -- Worcester December 13, 2009 |
Willem Lange reads “A Christmas Carol” -- Randolph December 13, 2009 |
Granite State Ringers holiday concert series -- Gilford December 13, 2009 |
Children's Concert with Jay Mankita – Manchester December 13, 2009 |
Holiday Tea -- Kennebunk December 13, 2009 |
Chanukah Car Parade – Orange and New Haven December 13, 2009 |
Christmas with the Rat Pack -- Hartford December 15, 2009 to December 20, 2009 |
Handel's Messiah with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra – Fairfield December 16, 2009 |
The Victorian Nutcracker – Portland December 16, 2009 |
Brass Quintet and Counterpoint – Warren, Brandon, Grafton, Manchester December 17, 2009 to December 19, 2009 |
Winter Solstice Celebration – West Hartford December 18, 2009 |
New Bedford Symphony Orchestra Family Holiday Pops – New Bedford December 19, 2009 |
Music in the Galleries by Newport Brass Quintet -- Newport December 20, 2009 |
Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols -- Westport December 20, 2009 |
Natalie MacMaster with Christmas in Cape Breton -- Portsmouth December 20, 2009 |
The Music Hall Presents Messiah Sing! -- Portsmouth December 22, 2009 |
Strawbery Banke Holiday House tours -- Portsmouth December 28, 2009 to December 29, 2009 |
Christmas Plus Concert with the Shoreline Ringers -- Norwich January 13, 2010 |
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