Count the number of photographs in any issue of Epistle. Wouldn’t you like to see more? I would. But we need your help. Here’s a quick lesson on taking photos that will look good in a picture frame as well as on the printed page.

Look at that first photo. That’s me, your dedicated newsletter designer. If you turned the page and saw an article with this photo, you might assume it was a biography about me, seeing as there is not much else in the composition. “Head shots” are great for bios and bylines. But a close-up picture is also ideal to show a kneeler, an altar hanging, a flower arrangement. For portraits or close-ups, skip everything else and zoom in on your subject.

There I am again. But now the photo tells you more about the setting — I’m but one of many things to see. This is a great way to show an altar dressed for a special occasion, a building in its surroundings. It’s not so great for a reception; people are just too small. Take small groups where possible. (In fact, consider it a portrait and zoom in on the group.)

In the last photo, you see me and you see what I’m doing — it’s about the work. At conferences, meetings and workshops, consider this kind of composition. Show us the people and their handiwork. What are they knitting for the Seamen’s Institute? Where is that flower going in the arrangement?

My Favorite Photography Tips
1. Put heads in the top half of your photo, not smack dab in the middle.
2. It is OK for the sun to be behind your subject. Just turn on your flash (lightening bolt icon without the “A”).
3. When using a flash inside, don’t zoom. Walk up closer to take your photo.
4. To keep yourself from jiggling, especially in low-light situations, snugly rest your elbows against your sides and click softly.
5. The camera’s focus is usually centered. But what if you want your subject off to the side? Center your subject, press the shutter release button halfway and hold it. Then slightly reframe your composition, and press the button the rest of the way.

Setting Your Digital Camera
If you have a digital camera, it is easy to produce a high quality photo suitable for printing in Epistle. Using these settings will also allow you to print larger pictures on your printer at home.

• For the highest quality photo, set your camera to the setting with the highest number of pixels (i.e., 2272 (length) x 1704 (height)). The larger the number, the better the picture quality and the larger the file size (which will fill up your memory card faster).
• All digital images are compressed. However, choosing the lowest compression (usually superfine or fine) will give you a better picture.