I remember my Dad owned an expensive camera from Germany which he used throughout most of his life.

It was a bit of an ordeal to get us kids all lined up, adjust the lenses, making sure the sun was to our faces, then snap the photograph.

The film then needed to be carefully taken out of the camera, rolled up, and sent in to be developed.  However, he always seemed to take clear photographs.

So much has changed with technology in the world of cameras.  Taking photographs is so much easier now.

Before I learned to blog, I had never taken a photograph or video with my phone camera.  I certainly do not own an expensive phone.

Below are a few photographic tips I learned along the way which I think will help you take a better photograph.

I have also taken all the photographs in this blog posting.

Tips for Taking a Great Photograph

Keep your camera lens clean from dust, fingerprints, or smears.  It is easy to get things on the lens when you use your phone constantly.

When ever I take a photograph, I clean my camera lens to make sure there are no finger prints to mar the finished photograph.

Take photographs of groupings of multiple things for fascinating contrasts.

Photographs of two items together also looks great.  For example, two shoes, two tea cups, etc.

Display on Front Porch Table of Wreaths

Don’t be afraid to play with shadows or light to get captivating photographs.

The leaves from this tree make a pattern on this building stand out.  It also sets the mood of the below left photograph.

The below right photograph of jail cell keys throws a neat shadow against the stark white prison wall.

First Church in Herndon, cir. 1872 Keys to Open the Cells

Photograph items from different perspectives and angles.

Shooting the same front and center photograph tends to get a little boring.

Different perspectives gives you refreshing new photographs.

Chef’s Salad and Fresh Fruit Dish Lake Newport in Reston

Try taking photographs of reflections in a mirror, glass or on a body of water.

The above photograph shows the scenery reflected over the lake.

The prison window photograph on the right shows a reflection of the white clouds in the sky.  It also gives one the sense of guarded freedom.

Outdoor photographs, also, look great in the natural sunlight.

Prison Window Reflecting Clouds Sidewalk Message-Girls Run the World

Photographs with negative space tend to make the main focus stand out.

Notice how the wording stands out on the blacktop of this photograph.

Night Sky During Golden Hour Trees with Holiday Lights at the Garden Center

Also, try taking photographs during the golden hour.  The golden hour is the hour before the sun rises or sets.

During the golden hour warm hues and long shadows accent the sky creating breath taking photographs.

The above left photographs shows my view from a fast food drive through during the summer months.  The sky is filled with brilliant oranges and pinks.

The right photograph shows lights and shadows of trees and shrubs at a garden center.

The Quarters

Take photographs of a frame within a frame.  For example, photograph the scene out a window or through a door frame.

In this photograph, the circular arched door frame nicely frames the scene and makes you want to pass into the garden on the other side.

Photographs taken of a frame within a frame adds increased depth to the image.

Also, take multiple photographs of the object you wish to capture on film.

I’ll often take 20 or more of a single object before I find a photograph I want to use for Farmhouse Magic Blog.

Then edit, edit and edit using your phone or computer software.  Play around with light, color, pop, warmth, tint, and skin tone until you get a photograph you like.

I have at times taken photographs which are originally too dark.  When I edited the photographs adding more of the light editing feature, they turned out wonderful.

Remember a great photograph tells a great story.

Hydrangea Plants in Bloom

Now, Go and Snap some Photographs!