Digby asked me to write a short note on how amateur photographers can get amazing pictures. You can make the jump from taking snapshots, to shots that jump off the page by just making a few adjustments in how you take pictures.

Amazing pictures aren’t the result of amazing equipment. Like Hockey, if you don’t shoot, you can’t score. Take the shot. I’m often surprised what I capture when I look at my results later in the day. If you are shooting static shots like group shots, etc., look around the edge of the viewfinder and see what you are cutting off (shadow, arms, etc.). Make sure that no telephone poles are growing out of people’s heads.

You’ll find today’s cameras have amazing automatic features. You can shoot all day long in a program mode and come up with excellent results. Automatic exposure and auto focus are your two best friends. Take the time and understand how your auto focus works. What the hot spots are. Today’s cameras are incredibly intelligent over 95% of the time.

Invest in a good lens. If your budget it tight, then do what you can to get one good long and one short lens. When I shoot people (sports, social events, etc.), I always try to make sure I can see the whites of their eyes, especially in candid shots. Personally, I’m pretty much all Nikon, including my lenses.

If you don’t understand how the f-stop and depth of field work, take the time to learn how they can help tell the story. You’ll really use Depth Of Field with your long lenses.

When it comes to group shots like those you might take at a party or wedding, spend a few minutes getting your subjects cozy. To see what I mean, take a shot with your group just standing around. Take the next shot and have them overlapping shoulders and with their arms around one another. The difference is amazing. This is why those candid shots of some beer drinking buddies with their arms interlinked always looks so good.

Don’t forget the flash even on bright sunny days for those group shots. The flash helps fill in the shadows and makes your subjects jump out.

Like buying a house (location location location), do what you can to make sure you are in the right place. If you are somewhat lucky and smart, you’ll be there at the right time. I’m fortunate enough to be a Senior Yachting Race Officer for Canadian Yachting. This allows me to work with the officials at race events and understanding the dynamics of the race, I don't impact on the the athletes.. You can do the same for your family at league games. Get to know the game, officials and organizers. They often invite photographers in with open arms as long as you are transparent to the running of the event. When you are done, supply them with a CD with a few full quality images and allow them to make use of them for promotions. Do not send them 500 pictures as it is just overwhelming.

I do most of my composition at the time I take the shot. I work with the sun, and I do what I can to avoid ‘butt shots’. Sometimes you just can’t have the people and the sun all work for you in the same way. In flat light days (cloudy), you need to make more use of your flash if you are close enough.

I’ve focused on DSLR cameras here, but if you are using a Point and Shoot camera, you can be just as successful by getting in close to take the shot. Don’t hesitate to get friendly with the camera. You will be amazed at the success you have.

With Digital Photography, you will need some good tools to import, edit and catalogue all your pictures. I’ve use Adobe Elements, Adobe Photoshop Album, ACDSee and more. They are all excellent and they will even help create files that you can quickly publish to a web page.

If you take a large number of photos and you uploading to the Net on a weekly basis, have a look at Coppermine http://coppermine.sourceforge.net/ for a web photo gallery. You’ll need some minor technical help getting it installed for your Web site, but it is NOT that difficult and best of all, it is free.

Michael Walker is a Mississauga Photographer who free lances in both the Yachting and Alpine Skiing area. He has been published in Sailing World, Australia Sailing and SAIL!. He works for EMC full time as a Support Director in Burlington.

MORE TIPS:

Bob Harrington, Photographing car races

Rob Skeoch, Sports Photographer