Grand Canyon National Park (Bird in picture is a California Condor)

If you are trying to photograph a rarely spotted animal, there are a few things you can do to keep it from noticing you so it does not run/fly/swim away.
-If possible, always put your camera in "discreet" or silent mode so the shutter or any beeps from the camera will not scare away the animal.
-Stay completely still.  If you have to change angles, move slowly.
-Do not make any sudden movements
Good luck!
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2014

Wildlife

When photographing animals, even ones as seemingly harmless as a squirrel, do not get too close to them.  Always use the zoom feature, because they will bite.

Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2014

Repetition

Sometimes, repetition of a subject creates a pattern in a picture that is interesting to look at.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Happy New Year!

Use the flash

Even in daylight when shooting portraits, it is a good idea to focus on the background, then use the flash in the subject's face.  That way, the background and subject will be in focus.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013
Model: Shira Siegel; permisson granted by model

Contrast

It is important to have contrast in a photo.  Contrast in photography context is the difference between lights and darks.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Follow your subject

If you are trying to take a picture of an animal that is outside while you are inside, you will probably get a lesser quality picture that is tinted by the window screen.  Try to quietly go outside, if possible, and the picture will be much better.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Mt. Marcy, New York

Sometimes, a simple object like grass or a rock makes a good subject if you have an interesting background.

Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Fireworks

When photographing fireworks, use a slow shutter speed to capture the whole firework at its brightest.  This was taken with a 5 second shutter speed.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Reflections

Reflective objects can make interesting subjects for a picture.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Be patient

When taking a picture of something multiple people are trying to take a picture of, take the time to move around until you find a place where people's hands and cameras don't get in your picture.  Distractions like that would take away from the subject.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Detail

Sometimes, the details of something common and otherwise boring, can make an interesting picture.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Shutter speed

When taking pictures of wildlife in the dark that is sensitive to a flash, use a long shutter speed instead.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Subject Placement

There are a few good places to put the subject in a picture.  One is in the center, and the others use the rule of thirds.  The rule of thirds is that if you divided the picture into a grid of nine spaces with four lines, the subject would be on one of the corners of the line.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Background (San Jose, Costa Rica)

Sometimes in a picture, the background can stand on its own.  There is no clear subject in this picture, but it is still interesting to look at.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Perspective

This bridge looked boring from other angles, but when I went under it, I got a better picture.  If you can't get a good picture of a subject, try a different angle.

Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Sunlight

The amount of sunlight can completely change a scene.  For example, I took a picture exactly like this when it was cloudy, and it was boring.  I came back later and took this, and the amount of sunlight changed the color of the water so that it is a better picture.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Color Contrast

In a photograph, it is usually good to have color contrast.  For example, in this picture, the bird's legs, eyes, and beak stand out from the rest of the photo.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Time of the Day (Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica)

If you find a good subject, but can't get an interesting picture of it, try coming back at a different time of the day.  For example, I couldn't get an interesting picture of this volcano, but I came back when there were fewer clouds around it, so now it looks better.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Wildlife

When taking pictures of wildlife that moves around a lot, such as this monkey, set your camera to a fast shutter speed, then set your camera to drive mode (which takes many pictures quickly).  Look through the pictures later, and at least a few will be good.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013

Subjects

To get a good picture, you need something for the eye to focus on.  For example, this picture would be boring without the two people walking in the distance.
Photo ©Kalyana Duggal 2013