Preparing to Shoot Ready to shoot?  Here are some thoughts before you press the shutter: 1)  Vertical or Horizontal?  There are two ways to hold a camera. Which way makes the most sense for your subject?  (The horizontal format emphasizes horizontal subjects and horizontal lines, like horizons. The vertical format emphasizes vertical lines and subjects, like a single human figure standing up.) 2) Get close enough.  The best zoom lens is your feet. Closer is almost always better. Don’t be afraid to let your subject overflow your frame! 3) Exclude the irrelevant.  They say that although both painters and photographers start with a rectangular canvas, painters include and photographers exclude. Find the best angle and get close enough to eliminate background distractions.  Don’t try to include everything in one photo – you’ll just dilute your image! 4) Don’t aim your camera - frame with your camera.  Don’t try to center everything. (Your camera is not a gun! Pay attention to everything inside your rectangular canvas.) If your human subject is looking to the left, add a little space for them to “look into.” 5) Think about exposure.  Is there backlighting which will fool your camera's light meter? Is there a lot of dark black or bright white? Is there a chance that a highlight might overexpose and “blow out”?  Correct your exposure now!  The easiest way is to use your exposure compensation controls (EV+/-) to intentionally override your camera’s automatic exposure settings. 6) Focus. Point your camera at your subject and press the shutter-release button halfway to focus and autoexpose your image. With your finger still holding the button down halfway, compose your frame, and shoot. 7) Brace your camera. Especially indoors! 8) Turn off your flash! Use it only when you absolutely have to. 9) Make more photographs!  Try different angles, different compositions, different light, etc. Don't be afraid to experiment! You'll need to make a lot of photos to get one or two really good ones.