Even if you aren't much of a photographer, just about everyone brings out a camera for the holidays. You're going to want snaps of the kids excited to see what Santa brought or a shot of your husband when he opens the joke gift that you got him. This quick guide will give you some tips and tricks on how to take better pictures during the holidays.



Don't use the flash. All your other relatives are going to be constantly blinding everyone; you want your pictures to be better than theirs and that means not using flash. The problem that usually arises from not using a flash is that your pictures may turn out blurry. This is because parties are usually at night when there's very little light. When there's less light, your camera compensates by leaving the shutter open longer (letting in more light). The easiest way to solve this problem is to place your camera on a tripod or rest it against a table or wall. Take multiple shots, holding the shutter button down and you're bound to get at least one good shot. Be sure you're using both your hands to support your camera. If your pictures are still coming out blurry, try putting your elbows together and pressing them up against your body. You'll be tenser and pictures will be clear.

Use different heights. When taking pictures of people, you typically want to be at eye level. This is fine for group shots or shots of adults, but when it comes to kids (and there will inevitably be kids around), don't be afraid to crouch down and get to their level. Even lying down on the floor can help bring out some great photos. For shots of objects (presents, decoration, dessert) experiment with different angles instead of simply seeing something and snapping a photo (inanimate objects don't typically move, so they're easier to work with). Try a direct top view or try putting the object in the foreground and some people or other scenery in the background.

Edit your images. Many people head straight for the photo booth at the local drugstore after filling up a memory card. If you really want some good pictures, snapping a photo is only half the job. Plug your memory card into a reader or use a usb cable and upload the pictures. Most cameras come with some basic editing software, but there are plenty of free resources on the internet (Google's Picasa is a great free editor). Some of the best quick things you can do are to crop and straighten your photos. Red eye is becoming less of a problem these days, but be sure to go through and fix all the scary eyeballs. The last (and most important) thing you should do is use color correction. Too yellow? Add blue. If you're colorblind, use the auto color correct feature. Color correction makes every picture you take better.

The best photographer is one who experiments. There will always be other people taking pictures, so try angles that no one else is doing. And don't ever let having a cheap camera be an excuse, just learn to master your camera and you'll become a good photographer in no time.