How to Take Better Instagram Photos
- Collette
- Jun 4, 2018
- 3 min read
So these are a couple of the first pictures Oliver took of me... go ahead and cringe.
Like every other millennial I strive to have a perfect instagram feed, full of pictures of me actually looking... good. So after seeing these valiant efforts from Oliver, I set out to do some research on how to help him take better pictures of me. If you're struggling to learn how to take better pictures (either from behind the camera, or need some tips for your personal photographer) check out my tips below.
1.Take Candid Pics!
Instead of calling on your subject to pose in front of a nice view, snap a photo of them admiring the view themselves! Candids of them browsing in little boutiques, drinking coffee, or just walking down the street can be great too. Often people's poses look artificial and awkward, so take that out of the equation and catch them off guard!
2. Exploit the Golden Hour
The “golden hour” is a term used by photographers to refer to a small window of time during sunrise or sunset, when the sunlight is perfect for taking photos. This is a time when sunlight takes a soft, golden glow. With these perfect lighting conditions, photos look more stunning and dramatic. Even if you don't think you're doing anything interested during this time, snap a picture just in case.
3. Give feedback
Don't be afraid to direct them, personally I'd rather the photographer tell me I look bad in the moment than to get home and find out I've wasted a good backdrop by posing terribly. If your girl is posing and her arm looks weird, let her know! Then suggest how she might move it to make it look better, remember; she can’t see what she looks like, but you can!
4. iPhoneography
Nope, you don't just point and shoot. You have to tap on the preferred subject, hold until it's focused, and then click to shoot. There's also the rule of thirds, so use the grid on your iPhone to position your subject. Lighting is important as well, tapping on a lighter object will darken the whole picture, while tapping on the dark item will lighten the picture, so play around with it!
5. Take WAY more pictures than you think you should
With one background, taking 20 photos will make your subject super happy. Pictures you might think are good enough might not be the ones your subject is shooting for. Snap at least 3 photos at each angle on each pose, and do 3 or 4 poses and angles with each backdrop and location!
6. Its all about angles
As you take more and more pictures of someone, you'll begin to learn angles and poses that they look best in, so try to stick to those as you figure them out. Also, don’t be afraid to get in a dorky squat to get the perfect angle of your subject, usually just taking a photo straight on isn’t flattering. Low angles are often fun, as well as at her 4 and 8 o'clock. I suggest never making your subject move to be at the correct angle, rather, you as the photographer should use this opportunity to get a little exercise and move around your subject.
7. Utilize surroundings— or don’t
One thing I've noticed with Oliver is that his focus always falls on how to make the surroundings look good in the picture-- that's not why someone wants a picture with themselves in it. Use the background to make your subject look good, that's the point of the photo, after all. A blank wall can be a great background if your focus is the subject, not the wall.
8. NEVER make fun of your subjects poses!
Nothing is worse than really feeling your look and striking a pose you've seen others really pull off, only to have your photographer make you feel like you're not pulling it off. As a photographer, you should be building your subject up! You'll see their confidence grow before your eyes, and nothing is more beautiful than a confident woman (or man)!
Some pictures for a little pose, angle, and lighting inspiration and ideas!
Credits: Instagram @PIAMUEHLENBECK, @MARIEFEANDJAKESNOW, @ALEXISREN, @CHLOEMORELLO
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