Have you ever gone through your friends’ photos on their phone, browsed through sites like We [heart] It, or just come across really great photographs on social media platforms, and wondered how on Earth these people managed to get such great photos using their smartphone and no other fancy camera equipment?
Don't worry, I've done it, too.
I've also tried to simulate the photos I've seen on Tumblr, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Pinterest and so on ... I'd be lying if I said I've succeeded. In fact, after numerous attempts at getting my pics to look just right (hundreds of selfies, and plant, cat, groupie, sunset and freshly painted nails pictures later), I'm still a long way from being on track.
So, I figured, instead of trying to do it right all the time, let's research how to get it wrong – with the hope that it would be like reverse photography (get it?).
Here's some advice that I found online. I hope it helps you, too.
Keeping your camera on autoflash
Trust me when I say there are times where you absolutely don't need the flash. Believe it or not, the flash may sometimes contribute to your bad-looking photographs.
Let natural light be your best friend and turn off that autoflash.
Backgrounds
We've all seen those photo fails where the background completely ruins the photograph and makes it look completely ridiculous. You don't want to be like those people do you?
Always choose a background with colours and objects that will complement your subject and make your photo stronger.
Make the little things count
Generally, most of us are so focused on the big things in life, we tend to miss the smaller things that have the potential to be just as important and interesting. The same goes for photography.
Can you imagine if macro photography wasn't a thing? We wouldn't know the beauty of dewdrops on a fern with the early-morning sun shining through, or just how freaky a spider's eyes really are.
So capture as much as you can, moments, details, subjects, etc. You never know, they could turn out to be some of your favourite photos and memories.
Pictures, pictures everywhere ...
With the above being said, don't photograph EVERYTHING!
Unless this year's autumn leaves are shaped like squares and coloured silver, or the sunset was black, purple and green instead of its usual orange, red and yellow, or there's another supermoon/red moon/lunar eclipse, we can only handle so many of the same photograph.
And besides, nobody really cares what the road lines look like (unless your area has pink road lines), or how cute your cat's face is (100 pictures later we probably even know the length of its whiskers).
