by Evan Toya

You can use poles and tall objects in interesting ways.

Don't put poles coming out of people's heads.

Good Photo

by Falisha Trujillo

Watch for objects such as branches, signs, and people walking by on the street. Position your subject in between them for a good shot.

Bad Photo

Watch for unwanted objects getting in the way of your subject. You can use them well, but you have to position your subject just right.

Good Photo

by Falisha Trujillo

Close up shots showing the detail of your finger or other objects can be interesting. Remember to set your camera to macro (flower) mode to get these shots.

Bad Photo

Keep your fingers, camera straps, etc., out of your photos.

Good Photo

by Victoria Garcia

Have your subject peek around corners or objects.

Bad Photo

The headless subject is not good.

Good Photo

by Rachael Montano

When shooting into the sun, force your flash on. This lights up the subject's face as well as get good highlights on their face and shoulders from the sun.

Bad Photo

Without the flash, the subjects tend to get lost in the shadows.

Good Photo

by Evan Toya

Glare from the sun and other objects can be used to produce very interesting effects.

Bad Photo

Don't let the sun glare out your subject, though.

Good Photo

by Rachael Montano

Use harsh shadows to enhance or give interesting features to your subject, like this mask over Adrian's eyes.

Bad Photo

Watch for harsh shadows that wipe out the subject.

Good Photo

By Michael Ryan Peck

When shooting from a dark area (inside) to a bright area (outside) through a window, the objects inside will go black (silhouetted). Use them as a border, but don't expect any detail from them. Focus the camera on the objects outside the window.

Bad Photo

Just like shooting into the sun, your subject will go into the shadows if you shoot them in front of a bright object like a window.

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by Victoria Garcia

When your subject is small in your photo, simplify the background to make your subject stand out.

Bad Photo

What is this a shot of anyway?

Good Photo

Often having blurred objects in you photos is bad, but it can be used well. Get a photo of something in motion with the background blurred and you can have a great shot. Move the camera with the subject to get this shot.

Bad Photo

Here is the typical shot of with bad blur. You normally want the moving subject, i.e. Troy, in focus.