How to Turn Average Photos Into Stunning Images

With the rapid technical development and wide affordability of advanced digital cameras a huge amount of people is meanwhile able to enjoy the pleasure of digital photography. However, most photographers are still tempted to use the comfortable fully automated setting of their cameras without knowing how easy and rewarding it is to switch to advanced camera settings for stunning results. The step from just a "Snapshot" to a stunning image is smaller than you may think...

Ideally use your camera in Aperture priority mode. This gives you control over depth of field. The camera will set all other parameters accordingly. Small values result in a smaller depth of field higher values increase the depth of field. If you take landscape images, make sure you use an Aperture at around f11.0 to f14.0. It is also recommended to use a tripod for best results in landscape photography. For portraits a shallow depth of field (f1.4-f5.6) often gives you a nicer results as "disturbing" elements are blurred away and the spectator's focus is on the person.

The secret to success is how to compose your images. You can have the best camera and might have chosen the perfect settings for your image. If your composition is boring your picture will not make it. It is the composition that will determine if your picture is poor or stunning. With some easy rules you can turn your pictures into stunning images:

Rule of Thirds
Do not place your subject in the centre. It is much more appealing to place your subject(s) according to the rule of thirds. Some cameras even have the function to divide your viewfinder with two horizontal and two vertical lines into nine segments. Place your subjects on the spots were two lines cross.

Lead in Lines
After applying the Rule of Thirds in Landscape Photography you should find lines that lead to your main subject like a path or a fence.

Dutch Angel
It can also add another exciting element to an image when you hold your camera at an angle other than 90 degrees. Try it and play around with this. You'll love the difference. This is one of my personal favorites as it changes the perspective out of the "normal".

Starting following these few simple rules there will be no more rainy days - you are already on your way to becoming a great photographer that takes stunning images. I wish you loads of fun and hope you enjoy your transformation...

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