Quick Tip #9:
Take better pictures with a few photography pointers

I believe that there are no "ordinary" days, and every life has countless moments of meaning. Here are a few pointers that can help you to become a more thoughtful photographer — simple ideas I hope will kick it up a notch. Your moments deserve it!

DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT. Photojournalists carry their cameras almost 24/7! Make sure you have a protective case so you can safely keep it in your purse whenever you're out and about. And store it in one specific place at home, so when a photo op arrives, you grab it in a heartbeat.

And for the times you have slipped and left your camera at home, use your cell phone camera. Better to have a photo that's a little lower quality than no photo at all, and cell phone optics are becoming better all the time. Be sure to read up on its features so you can use it well.

CAPTURE THE EVERYDAY. We usually think of photographing only the big moments, but take some time to capture "a day in the life" every month. What do you have for breakfast? What is your favorite outfit? What book are you reading? Who are your kid's playmates at the moment? One of the folders you'll create (see Quick Tip #3 on photo organization) will be called "Everydays." It is fun to create a monthly collage of these photos; in five years, they'll be priceless. They can be one of the highlights of the Fusion Album and Family Yearbook.

BEFORE AND AFTER. Every event includes preparation. Balloons are blown up before a party, hair is styled before a prom. Afterward, shoes are removed from tired feet and wrapping paper is gathered in colorful wads. These scenes can be an important part of the whole story.

THE CANDID CAMERA. Part of the reason we don't like to pose people is that we don't want to make the moment all about the photo. But if you don't pose your subjects, they'll get used to seeing you with the camera and will pretty much ignore it. The moment goes on uninterrupted, but is preserved for the future. The next time you want to take photos — don't announce it, and don't draw attention to yourself. Catch people in the act of being themselves!

BE A CREATIVE POSER. Of course, there will be times you'll want to pose your subjects in a significant setting. Remember that faces are usually the focal point. Instead of a horizontal lineup, put your subjects so that their faces form a circle — the closer together, the better!

Feeling creative? Take the shot from below (you can lay on the ground and they can look down on you) or from above (have THEM lay on the ground with their heads in a circle). Props also make posed shots more interesting. Giving your subjects something to hold makes them more at ease in front of the camera. Use your imagination!

THE RULE OF THIRDS. You may think that putting the subject as close as possible to the center of the frame will lend emphasis to it. Actually, artists discovered long ago that moving the subject off center makes a much more interesting composition.

Imagine your digital display has two horizontal lines, dividing the display into thirds, and two vertical lines dividing it evenly as well. This renders four points where the lines intersect. Placing your focal points in one of those places greatly decreases the "mug shot" quality of your photo.

TWO STEPS CLOSER. Coming closer to your subject will dramatically decrease the distractions in the frame. Of course, you can accomplish this when you crop, but generally it's best to just take a few steps closer for a more intimate look at your subject.

GO SIDEWAYS. We often just pick up the camera and shoot horizontally. But when you create your modern digital scrapbook page, you'll probably want to use both, so be sure to take some shots in a vertical format.

READ THE BORING STUFF. You've heard it before: Please take the time to read your camera's owner's manual! If you've lost it, you can probably find it online. Two hours invested up front reading and a little simple experimentation can save frustration in the future.

The three types of settings you will want to understand involve:

Lighting (i.e., daylight, nighttime, indoor low light, flash vs. natural light)

Focal Distance (i.e., closeups, distance, mid range)

Action (i.e., a still or slow-moving subject compared to sports action)

Understanding how to manipulate your camera settings in different situations will make your photos immeasurably better. The preparation may be dry ... but the results will be awesome! Take just a little time to prepare yourself for big rewards later.