TIPS N’ TRICKS: Taking Great Photos

Capture your Hagerty Drivers Club Chapter events—and Chapter members—at their best using these quick n’ easy recommendations.

TIP #1

Up Close and Personal

A long-distance perspective with too many details will distract the viewer and obscure the real highlights. Focus on one subject at a time, close up!

IN ADDITION TO THESE…

  • Candid shot of the entire group

  • Vehicle lineup or single vehicle

  • Photo of the whole venue or event setup

…CAPTURE THESE:

  • 2-3 individuals sharing a conversation, laugh, or moment.

  • A specific, special detail on a vehicle or a look under its hood.

  • Event-specific “look and feel” (i.e., decorations, food/drinks, scenery, etc.).

TIP #2

Put Your Brights On!

Well-lit photos look energized, exciting, polished, and professional.  Whether you’re taking photos indoors or outdoors:

  • Set your smartphone camera flash to “automatic” mode so that it adjusts to lighting.

  • When possible, take photos in areas with a lot of light and very little shadow.

  • If taking a group photo, lead attendees to the brightest possible space—and make sure that they face towards the light so the shadows fall behind them!

  • Check your photo after you take it: if it looks dark or there are shadows, turn your flash “on” and retake.

TIP #3

Keep it Crisp

Before tapping to capture the photo, check your screen—make sure that the right subject is in focus. If not, tap your screen where you’d like the camera to focus. Wait til the image you see isn’t blurry, then capture away!

TIP #4

3, 2, 1…

Take multiples of the same shot.

You never know when someone’s going to blink or an unexpected jiggle might make your image blurry. Take 2-3 versions of the same photo to ensure at least one good one to post!

Count down for posed photos.

If you’re capturing a group photo or a posed photo, remind everyone to look at the camera and smile—and then give them a good ol’ countdown. That way, you’ll ensure that ALL your members look great!

TIP #5

Use the Rule of Thirds

This one’s getting fancy! Try out the professional photographer’s “Rule of Thirds.” Imagine that your camera screen is broken up into three segments—each one taking up 1/3 of the screen (some smartphones even show a grid onscreen to help you see these thirds). Orienting your image’s main subject at the 1/3 mark or the 2/3 mark, horizontally and/or vertically, creates a balanced and visually pleasing composition!