EGT got a make over! How do you guys like it? I decided to update the theme of my blog so that it was easier to navigate to older posts. Let me know what you think! Anyways, on the topic of blogging I wanted to talk about photography. I’ve noticed I especially love looking at other blogs that have original, high quality photos. A huge part of blogging is having interesting imagery. I thought I’d share some of my tips on how I make my photos look more interesting. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I’ve picked up a few things here and there. Keep reading below for my 7 tips on how to create unique, eye catching and interesting photos.

1.) Color, Shape and Texture

A way to make your photos look more interesting is by using contrasting colors, different shapes and various textures. It’s extremely pleasing to the eye and captures the viewer for a longer period of time. Don’t get too crazy with this though, it’s all about finding balance. The photo below is a great example of balancing these 3 things; the shape of the plant is asymmetrical, the texture of the pot is rigid and the pop of yellow from the magazine, all create an interesting photo.

2.) Evoke Emotion

We love looking at pictures because they make us feel a certain way. Make your photos more appealing by evoking some sort of emotion. The picture below is a great example. It’s a simple photo that everyone can relate to: sleeping in, feeling well rested, the possibilities of a new day, snuggling into clean sheets, the comfort of your own bed, etc.

3.) The Power of Centering

Knowing when to center the subject of your photo is crucial. I choose to center the subject when the background tells a strong story in itself. The subject then enhances the background and really captures the size and space of what’s going on behind him or her.

4.) Capture Candids

Candids are interesting because they show a specific moment frozen in time. Staged photos can often feel too forced and unnatural, but candids feel raw, exclusive and very intimate. Candids give the viewer a sneak peek into the subjects life. And what’s more interesting than a sneak peek? I love the candid photo below of Dave reuniting with his dog, Butler. Both show their contentment during a casual walk around the neighborhood.

5.) Details, Details, Details

Make your photos look more interesting by capturing the little details that other people would normally overlook. The photo below is an awesome example of this. Notice how many intricate details there are; the little square paints in the palette, the veins on the painters hands, the thin pointy paint brush, etc. The little things really do matter.

6.) Play with Depth of Field

Depth of field is essentially how much of a photo is in focus. Playing with the depth of field in your photo is an easy and great way to make a photo look more interesting. It also gives the photographer a great amount of creative control. Having a shallow depth of field means the subject of your photo is sharp and the background is blurry. This makes the subject stand out from it’s background. A deeper depth of field means both the front and back are in clear focus.

7.) Change Your Perspective

Changing the perspective of your photo can make the same photo look totally different. I especially like changing perspectives when it comes to shooting food or people. My favorite two shot perspectives are a bird’s eye view and a level shot. These different perspectives create angles that help give the viewer a deeper understanding of what’s going on in the photo.