Most of us take more photos than ever, yet surprisingly few make it beyond our phones, computers or cloud storage. We might capture hundreds of pictures on a holiday or dozens at a family gathering, only to realise later that none quite feel worthy of a spot on the wall. In this article we will tell you how to take good photos you’ll actually want to print and frame.
Creating a photo you’ll genuinely want to display isn’t just about having expensive equipment. While high-quality digital cameras can give you greater control over details, focus and lighting, the biggest improvements often come from how you approach the photograph in the first place.
A little more thought before pressing the shutter can turn an everyday snapshot into something you’ll enjoy looking at for years.
Decide What the Photo Is Really About
One of the easiest ways to improve a photograph is to give it a clear subject.
Imagine photographing your child playing on the beach. If your frame includes several strangers, parked cars, signs and half the picnic area, your child can easily get lost among everything else happening in the image.
Before taking the photo, ask yourself what caught your attention. Then look for ways to make that the obvious focus.
You might move closer, change your position or wait a few seconds for distracting people to leave the background. Small adjustments can create a much cleaner image.
Pay Attention to the Light
Lighting can make an enormous difference, particularly when photographing people.
Bright overhead sunlight often creates harsh shadows around the eyes and face. Softer light tends to be much more flattering and can also produce richer colours.
When you have some flexibility, try taking outdoor photos earlier or later in the day rather than around midday. Indoors, positioning someone near a large window can provide beautiful natural light without requiring specialist equipment.
You can also use open shade outdoors. Standing underneath a tree or beside a building can soften direct sunlight while still providing plenty of illumination.
Think About Where the Photo Will Hang
It might seem strange to think about a frame before you’ve even taken the photograph, but doing so can help with composition.
If you have a narrow vertical space on a wall, take some portrait-orientation photos rather than shooting everything horizontally. If you’re hoping to create a large landscape print, give the scene enough room to breathe.
It’s also worth leaving some space around your subject. Cropping is often necessary when preparing an image for a particular print size, and an extremely tight composition can leave you with limited options.
Check the Background Before You Shoot
Some of the most annoying photography mistakes only become obvious afterwards.
You take a wonderful family portrait, then notice a power pole appearing behind someone’s head. Or perhaps there’s a rubbish bin, brightly coloured sign or pile of laundry competing for attention.
Make a quick background check part of your routine.
Before taking the photo:
- Look around the edges of the frame.
- Check behind your subject for distracting objects.
- Move yourself or your subject if necessary.
- Straighten obvious horizontal lines such as horizons.
These checks take only seconds and can save you from trying to fix distracting details later.
Take Several Versions, Not Just One
You don’t need to take hundreds of photographs of the same scene, but relying on a single shot can be risky.
People blink. Children move. Pets turn their heads at exactly the wrong moment. Autofocus can occasionally choose something other than your intended subject.
Take a few variations, especially when photographing moments that can’t easily be recreated.
Try changing your height or moving a little closer. Take both horizontal and vertical versions. For portraits, ask the person to look away for one shot rather than smiling directly at the camera every time.
Often, the less posed photograph becomes the favourite.
Edit With the Print in Mind
A photograph that looks good on a bright screen may appear slightly different when printed. Before ordering a print, spend a few minutes reviewing the image carefully.
Basic adjustments to brightness, contrast, cropping and colour can help, but avoid pushing them too far. Heavy filters and extreme saturation might look impressive on a small screen but can become distracting when enlarged.
Most importantly, check that the image is sharp where it needs to be, particularly around faces and eyes.
Photograph the Things That Matter to You
A frame-worthy photograph doesn’t have to be a dramatic landscape or perfectly posed portrait. Sometimes the pictures we value most are much simpler: a grandparent laughing, a pet asleep in its favourite spot or an ordinary afternoon with the family.
Technical improvements certainly help, but meaning matters more.
Slow down, notice the light, simplify your composition and take a few extra seconds before pressing the shutter. You’ll end up with fewer forgettable snapshots and more photographs that deserve to live somewhere other than a camera roll.
