When it comes to photography, the Gear Patrol crew can certainly agree on one thing: we like it. Whether it’s taking nearly all the original photos you see of the gear we test on this site or just as a personal hobby, we feel strongly that a man should be able to pick up a camera (of the SLR variety) and be able to snap a few good shots. It’s a lot easier than you think, and good shots don’t mean you need expensive equipment - just a few pointers. We’ve compiled 10 simple real-world basics that should hopefully make you the Facebook, Flickr, Shutterbug, Picasa, or Ofoto hero on your next outing.

Lest you forget, photography is an art form; there are no rules. Something accidental might turn out to be your best shot. The important thing is to shoot. A camera that sits around and collects dust serves no purpose. Here are some suggested tips to help your photos stand out a bit more…

Ten Tips To Take Better Photographs

1. Get on the ground (or on a ladder).

Try for a different perspective when framing a shot. Many of us are in the habit of standing in the same position to take most of our photos. For instance, when taking a shot of your dog (or your inebriated buddy lying in a pile of crushed PBR cans), get down on their level and take a few shots from a different viewpoint.

2. Take Shots During Evening And Morning Sun

The last hour before sunset and the first hour after sunrise are referred to as the “golden hour”. With the sun low in the sky, its rays beam through the atmosphere creating warm, diffused light, which is ideal for landscapes and cityscapes.

3. Overcast Days Are Good

People often shy away from taking shots on overcast days, however, for portraits, this type of light can be perfect. Clouds act like giant diffusers, softening the light, and reducing harsh shadows. Shots can be framed so that there is no gray sky in the background. When taking portraits in midday sun, using your flash can neutralize shadows on the face.

4. Use Your Histogram

All DSLRs and many point-and-shoot cameras have a histogram menu – a graph showing the amount of tone in an individual photo. Better-exposed photos tend to have this information represented across the histogram (looks somewhat like a mountain range on the graph), with dark areas represented on the left, grays in the middle, and white on the right. If the “mountains” are pushed to the right, the photo will be too bright; pushed to the left, it may be too dark. So take a photo, check the histogram, and add or reduce light as needed (if possible).

5. Zoom In For Portraits

Using a wide-angle lens on a DSLR or a wide zoom setting on a point-and-shoot when taking a portrait of your girlfriend will make her face look like Andre the Giant’s in short order. So use a normal or telephoto lens or setting. Wide-angle lenses can add distortion to a subject, and the closer you get, the more this effect becomes apparent (although it is sometimes desirable and can have interesting results on certain subjects).

Tips 5-10 on the next page.

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