Graphic design is an integral part of marketing. Good graphics has played a vital role in catching people’s attention, even in the old days. So, it’s relatively safe to say that you need high-quality photos on your website. Otherwise, your visitors might dismiss your site and look for other online content creators. So, here are three ways to ensure you can generate and use high-quality photos in your website:

Learn How To Use A Camera

A DSLR or mirrorless camera might look intimidating in the eyes of a beginner photographer. This type of image-capturing device has different buttons and dials that you need to learn in order for you to take breathtaking photos.

Remember, using a camera isn’t as simple as “pressing a button”. You need to learn the tricks of the trade for your photo shoot to produce awe-inspiring images to place on your website.

With that in mind, some of the technical terms in camera and photography tech you need to learn include:

  • Aperture – Measured in f-stops (e.g., f/2.8, f/4, f/16), the aperture is the variable opening of the lens wherein light passes through to get to the digital sensor. A low f-stop has a large opening in the lens, which means more light can pass through.
  • Shutter Speed – This refers to the speed at which the camera’s shutter opens and closes.
  • Exposure – Also called exposure value (EV), this term refers to a number representing the combination of aperture and shutter speed to create desired effects in photography.
  • International Standards Organization (ISO) – This term refers to the strength at which the camera’s software compensates for the lack of light. Use a low ISO, like 100 to 400, for environments with adequate light. Otherwise, use a high ISO, like 800 to 3200, for dark areas. But, inputting high ISO can add picture noise or grain to the image, so be wary in that regard.

Use Lighting To Your Advantage

By now, you should know how to use a camera. The next step is to ensure you can produce images with proper lighting.

Lighting is one of the vital components of good photography. After all, you don’t want to upload a pure black or white image in your site, unless you’re trying to let people know the differences between black and white hues.

Nonetheless, if you don’t have access to lighting fixtures for your photo shoot, use natural light to your advantage. Sunlight works well in this regard. You may click here to learn additional tips regarding this matter.

Also, avoid using a flash if you don’t know how to use this particular feature yet. Misuse of this photography peripheral might result in pictures with undesirable color and lighting.

Furthermore, ensure that the sunlight isn’t behind your subjects. Otherwise, your pictures will come out dark with low contrast, not to mention the fact that your main subjects will become a dark silhouette.

However, you can break this particular rule of photography. You can shoot high-quality silhouette images for your website. But, you need to learn how to compose your shot correctly.

Learn Proper Composition

Many high-quality images on the Internet have masterful compositions produced and edited by experts in the fields of photography and web design.

Proper composition allows the eye to highlight the main components of an image. Think of composition as a magnet that diverts your attention to the things that you should see in a particular photo. If misused, a lousy composition might make you ask, “What are you supposed to be looking at in this photo?”

So, here are some quick tips to help you use proper composition and make your photos stand out on your website:

  • Rule Of Thirds – Divide your photo into a 3×3 grid. Make sure that your main subject only takes up 3 or 6 boxes.
  • Symmetry – Use symmetrical lines and shapes to your advantage to generate pleasing photos.
  • Natural Fames – Use objects, like arches, to highlight your main subject in the distance.

Experiment with different composition techniques to see which idea suits your photos the best. Also, ensure that you’re taking measures to produce sharp images. Your composition might be spot-on, but that trait wouldn’t matter if your camera produced blurry images.

Put your camera on a tripod, lean on a wall while you’re shooting, or put your gadget on a flat surface while you’re capturing the image. These techniques will help you produce pin-sharp photos to upload on your site.

Conclusion

In summary, learn how to use a camera, and don’t worry if you find it intimidating to use this device. Use proper lighting and composition to your advantage to produce high-quality photos for your website. Last, remember to practice and polish your photography skills to ensure you’re posting high-quality images for your site every single time.

About the Author

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Mirko Humbert

Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.