6 Photography Tips

1. Fill the frame with what you like: Some of my favorite things on this earth are flying bugs and flowers, even though my allergies are terrible around them. For that reason, this frame is filled with flowers a little friend. Nothing makes my heart warmer than watching a sweet little bug drink nectar.

2. Rule of thirds: Placing a subject on an intersecting point of a 3x3 (imaginary) grid can make an image's composition more interesting. In this case, the subject is aligned to the bottom right point.

3. Symmetry/asymmetry: Experimenting with symmetry and asymmetry can help with the balance of an image. In this case, asymmetry is utilized. The main subject and flower its perched on are aligned to the left, while splashes of color created by a shallow depth of field are aligned to the middle and right side.

4. Contrast between subject and background: Contrast can help emphasize your subject against its background. This butterfly's most notable colors are yellow, orange, and white, all of which contrast nicely against the spot of blue in the background. A shallow depth of field helps to further separate the two.

5. Close proximity: It's a good idea to get closer to your subject. This allows you to capture more detail and more personal interaction than at a distance. The butterfly in this shot was within arm's length of me, which gave a better chance to capture intricate details on its wings.

6. Shooting with the direction of the sun, not towards it: When shooting towards the sun, a subject can appear too dark while the light source appears blown out. It's best to shoot with the sun and where its light falls.