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With the price of digital photography within the grasp of nearly everyone, taking scores of pictures of nearly everything has become a fad. If you don’t like one, you have a dozen others to choose from. Gone are the days when pictures were well planned because, good or bad, each one cost you money. Unfortunately, gone also are the days when amateurs studied how to take a good picture.

Sadly, even with dozens of pictures taken at an event, far too often not one of them is worth keeping, except as a reminder of the day. If you’re interested in Virginia photography or anywhere else and the above describes you, then learn these ten rules of taking a good picture, drawn from the Kodak website, then practice them before your next really important event.

The first principle is, get down on the level of the subject. The top of a child’s head is not usually what you want to remember. Instead, get down where he is, on your knees or sitting so that you can look straight into his eyes. Don’t worry about your pride; it won’t outlive your memories.

Principle number two: notice the background. A cluttered background will distract from the subject. Too, at times the background will give false impressions. Two weeds growing behind the subject may give him the appearance of antennas, or horns! Be sure the background highlights the subject.

Rule number three: use a flash, even when you’re outdoors. Today’s cameras will measure the amount of light on the subject and then will determine if a flash is needed. If the subject is close, force the camera to use the flash anyway. This will eliminate shadows on a face in the sun, and, in the shade, it will brighten the face.

Rule number four: move in close. Friends rarely want to see whole bodies; they want to see faces. If you can, move in as close as possible physically. Fill the picture with your subject. If you must use the zoom lens, remember that the flash still must light the entire area, not just what you see.

Rule number five: Consider taking the picture vertically. Every camera takes rectangular pictures. A single subject may be better when the camera is turned 90 degrees. You can always turn the picture in the computer, camera, or printer later.

Rule number six: Is the focus right? When your close subject is off center, the camera may focus on the background instead, leaving the subject blurry. To fool the camera, push the shutter button half way down as you point the camera directly at your subject. This procedure will lock the focus. Then, leaving the button half pushed, move the camera where you wanted it and take the picture. The camera will focus on the subject even though it is not in the center.

The seventh rule goes with number six: don’t always center your subject. Sometimes you say more with an off center subject. For example, you could send friends a picture of your new house taken straight on. Instead include the winding driveway on one side. This picture will be inviting people to visit. Be sure to follow rule six when doing this.

The eighth rule is, know the parameters of your flash. Most digital cameras have built in flashes with a range of ten feet or less. Beyond that, the picture will be dark and/or grainy. And remember the zoom rule- the picture may appear close when actually the subject is beyond the range of the flash.

Principle number nine: check your light. Outdoor shots of people are best without direct sunlight. If this is unavoidable, then be sure to use the flash, as described previously. The long shadows of the early and late part of the day are best for scenic shots.

The tenth rule is, direct your own picture. Arrange the subjects as you want, move to a different perspective if that is best, add some props as needed to balance the picture. In other words, don’t just take a shot; prepare the shot the way you want it. A good picture will do more than just record an event. It will make the viewers feel the event as well.

Following these tips will have your pictures turn out far above the norm. However, some events require a professional. If you’re interested in, or near eastern Virginia, consider the services of Del Haven Studio, an accomplished Virginia Beach portrait photographer.