Sourcing your own photos for articles, blogs and websites

It’s always better if you can use your own photos for your articles, blogs or websites etc because it will help to keep your page unique. The last thing readers want to see is the same photos used over and over again on the internet.

You don’t necessarily need to be a photographer to take your own decent photos. Keeping your camera handy at all times and your imagination open should be enough.

Take your camera with you and have a wonder around your local area, the town, the parks and even the local cemetery. For everything you look at, ask yourself if it would make an interesting picture.

• Would that stone wall make an interesting background image?
• Would that dog wondering around on its own demonstrate loneliness, a mans best friend or a good quality of life?
• Would those public toilets demonstrate hygiene, could they be used to capture your make-up on the side from a mirrored view or could they give the impression that you are stood in a swanky hotel? (Avoid this one if it’s busy)
• Would that tree represent beauty by day and give off a haunted feeling by night?

Most of us wonder around with a blind eye to the things that are around us. The tree just looks like the same old tree, the pathway is the same old pathway; it’s nothing new to us but could look quite different if thought about in another way.

Ever notice how effective a canvas or painting looks?

Ask yourself what is so special about it and think about whether there is anything similar like it in your area that you could take a picture of.

Don’t just assume that you can’t take a good photo, have a really good mess around with your camera. If the image doesn’t look so great then try it in black and white, try it with a flash and without a flash and whatever else you have available on your camera.

When you have spotted something you want to take a picture of, always try to make sure that it is your main focus so centre it in the lens as much as possible.

Stand with your back against the sun to avoid a glare in your pictures. If you’re taking a picture of a small item then consider putting a sheet of paper or card behind it so that you get a plain background if you don’t like the one that is available.

You could make it an adventure for the whole family, if you’re not too concerned about the camera taking a few knocks then consider giving it to the kids and telling them to take some photos of things they like or point things out to you.

You’d be surprised at what things they will find that you might not usually give a second thought to.

This photo on the right was taken by my daughter. I love the way the flower is blurred but everything else in the background is in focus, plus you can also see nature at its beauty with the city line behind it.

This might not be every ones cup of tea but a big smile and a bit of front will go a long way. If you have seen something that would be perfect for an image then consider asking the owner for their permission to photograph it.

Maybe it’s a picture of their dog walking along the beach or a flower arrangement in their garden. Be polite and approach people with consideration.

My parents always taught me: ‘if you don’t ask, you don’t get’.

Ok, so I don’t mean make up some dodgy business cards that claim you and your camera are gifted but imagine you are one, put yourself in their shoes and think what pictures you would want to show off to the world. Plus you never know; one of those photos might just spark off an amazing idea for your next piece of writing!