How To Give Your Photographs More Edge

Gone were the days when people had to splash the cash on digital or film cameras to capture key memories or their scenic daily walks. In today’s age, absolutely anyone could be a photographer by taking photos on their phone and posting it onto social media for the entire world to see, whether that is through a selfie or a picture of what you just ate for brunch.

However, if you want to elevate your photography style or stand out in a sea of mediocre Instagram influencer accounts, these basic photography tips I learned while studying photography for the past seven years could help give your photos a more creative approach that cuts above the rest.

RULE OF THIRDS

Photo composition is a must if you want to take a great photo. Many photographers use this classic tool called the ‘Rule of Thirds’. This is a 3x3 guideline which tells you where to place the focal point of your image. The main idea of this is that your focal point becomes the first thing the viewer draws their eyes to and keeps the image nicely balanced.

Most, if not all, digital cameras have this tool but fret not! Most mobile phones have this grid feature as well, especially if you have an Instagram account. Before you post, Instagram will automatically show the 3x3 grid whilst you edit your image.

LIGHTING

The word ‘Photography’ literally means ‘Drawing with Light’. So, when considering what types of lighting you want in your image it is regarded with the highest importance. Lighting can mean all the difference between a good photo and a great photo.

Depending on what mood you want to create and evoke for your image, lighting can help boost that immensely.

Hard lighting is dramatic and connotes contrast, intensity and harshness.

Soft lighting is evenly distributed and is more flattering to the eye.

COLOURS

Personally, my favourite part of creating images. What colours to you want to show in your image? Do you want your images to be bright and playful or melodramatic in Black and White? Filters or manually editing your image can enhance your image to its full potential. Lighting and colour go together like twin flames.

Photoshop is most photographers' go-to application. Free alternatives I personally would recommend for newbie photographers are VSCO and Adobe Lightroom which can be used on computers and phones.

MORE CANDID!

This is not necessarily taught in most photography classes but definitely a tip that would help change up and freshen your images.

One feature which photographers fondly talk about when taking photos is how they capture the moment, basically freezing time by pressing a button.

In landscape and especially portraiture photography, making your subjects look away and let them continue what they are doing such as being lost in conversation or performing an action looks more creative and nostalgic than stopping them and asking them to look straight at the camera and pose.

Those are some key points to uplift and enhance your images. However, the most important tip of all is: now you know the rules, it’s time to break them! After all, photography and all forms of creative outlets are purely subjective. What matters most is your intuition, see with your own eyes and choose the best image-worthy moments. Snap to your heart's content!