2. Missing subject!
If the subject of your
image is not obvious at
the first glance, then you
should probably ask
yourself why you took
the picture. If the
answer was ‘because of
the X’, and the ‘X’ is not
distinct, you need to try
again.
The subject should stand out – by contrast, color, light,
motion, or focus.
3. Distracting background?
Most shots will include background elements
that are part of the shoot location. Make sure
the background does not draw the viewer's
attention from the main subject. Always check
the elements in the background of the shot you
are framing. Background clutter or distracting
objects can usually be avoided by repositioning
your camera (moving it left or right), changing
the camera angle, or moving your subject.
Mergers are another form of distracting background. Background
objects or strong graphics that visually merge with the subject can
not only be distracting, they can also be humorous. Again,
reposition the camera or the subject to avoid mergers.
4. Distracting background?
The fix:
1. Use fill flash—often called
Flash On or Forced Flash.
2. In this setting, the flash fires
even if there is enough
available light to capture the
image without flash. It is a
good way to get accurate
color balance under unusual
lighting.
Capturing subjects against a bright background or when
the subject is backlit can lead to underexposure.
7. Everything in one frame…?
Lack of an obvious focal point or a subject can compromise an
image with the qualities of a great photograph.
8. Everything in one frame…?
The causes:
1. Shooting against a busy or competing background or
foreground
2. Trying to fit too many elements in the same picture
3. Clicking a photograph from a distance, making your subject
too small for an obvious focal point
The fixes:
1. Move closer to your subject
2. Use the zoom feature
3. Ask yourself: ‘What is the subject of this photograph?’ and
‘Does my subject fill the frame?’
9. Red Eye
Red eye may be a small
flaw, but it can still be the
difference between a
frame-worthy photograph
and the one you dismiss to
a dusty shoebox in the
back of the closet.
Although it only affects a small area, red-eye effect can
have a big impact on image quality.
10. Red Eye
The causes:
Capturing images in a dim/dark settings (the flash light reflects off
the subject's eyes, illuminating retinal blood vessels)
The fixes:
1. Avoid using flash whenever possible (If unsure, click some test
shots with and without flash to determine the necessity)
2. If you have to use flash, request your subject not to look directly
into the camera lens
3. Opt for digital cameras with the red-eye reduction feature
11. Headroom space
Headroom refers to the space
between the top end of a
subject’s head and the top
end of the frame.
1. Too much headroom gives a
sinking appearance
2. Too little headroom places
visual emphasis on the person's chin and neck
The fix:
When framing shots of people, pay attention to where the
eyes appear; a simple solution to this is to keep the camera
lens and the subject’s eyes in a straight line.
12. Bad lighting?
A lot of image quality problems can
be solved by employing some simple
lighting techniques.
In the absence of a lighting kit, we
can make best use of natural or
available lighting.
The fix:
1. Whenever possible, shoot in a
well-lit area
2. Avoid bright light in the background
3. Move the subject to a better lit area
13. Quick tips!
• Know your camera: Undertake some testing before the event.
Experiment with different modes, the flash feature, etc.
• Take multiple shots: This will help you to choose the best shot
• Focus: Nothing can be as bad as an out-of-focus subject
• Check for lighting: Whenever possible, shoot in a well-lit area
• Avoid distractions: Make sure the background is clean and neat,
and avoid other distractions in the frame
• Headroom: Keep the camera lens and the subject’s eyes in a
straight line
• Never disturb official logos: When shooting corporate events,
make sure the full logo is visible in the frame; else, avoid
including it
• Battery backup: Make sure the battery is fully charged
14. Overuse of Photoshop
Slanted horizon? Rotate the image!
Face is underexposed in the picture?
Increase the brightness!
There’s a gaggle of geese flying behind the
subject? Clone them!
And it’s a really long list. What do we do?
PHOTOSHOP IT!
Fixing mistakes during post processing, which could have been
corrected when shooting the image, is a waste of time.
With digital cameras, all you need to do is click another picture.
And now with high-storage memory cards, it is easier!
15. Overuse of Photoshop
The Fix:
1. Before you start shooting, do a quick check for the
basics…white balance, lighting, proper exposure, and
distracting objects around the subject or in the background
2. Analyze your shots and try to fix it the next time
Understanding the root cause of mistakes and then
working on them each time you shoot will hone your
skills to become a better photographer.
Do not allow yourself to repeat old mistakes
