Want to learn how to take better pictures? We've put together these tips to help you. With these tactics, you can start taking photos that are more compelling and lifelike, without needing to add expensive accessories. Plus, we've included a few suggestions on how and when to use some of your camera's common built-in features.

Our shooting tips fall into two categories: 1) honing your technique in each shooting situation; and 2) using your camera's features. Ready to set your sights on better-looking photos?

Let's start with how you compose a shot:

1. Get close to your subject. If you're taking a photo of your family in front of the Pyramids, you probably don't mind if the people are almost too small to see — after all, the point is the location. But when you're photographing people and you don't need to capture a famous landmark behind them, use your camera's zoom to get close. A photo filled up by your chosen subject is much more compelling than a photo of someone standing fifteen feet from the camera, with a living room or parking lot surrounding them.

For a memorable photo of a kid and a puppy, get close.

2. Take candids. Capturing candid photos, instead of posed shots, may result in some of your best photos. Yes, we've all taken pictures of people standing stiffly, aiming their best smiles at the camera. But a photo of the same group cracking up afterward will likely prove a much more memorable shot. (Additional hint: If you're photographing a child who is all too aware of the camera, and you don't want that same camera-only grin every time, take advantage of zoom, to shoot discreetly from afar.)
3. Get down on their level. When you're shooting kids, animals, or even people sitting on a low sofa, get down on their level and shoot from there. The result is a much more personal, natural view.

Animals (and garden gnomes) aren't very clearly viewed when photographed from above — you can get a much more representative shot when you get down on their level.

4. Let people group naturally. If you really need to take a posed group shot, one thing you can do is let them sit or stand naturally. A row of people standing in a straight line with their arms at their sides isn't all that engaging, but a cluster of people standing around in a more relaxed way, some with their hands in their pockets, can be very pleasant.
5. Don't photograph people with harsh sun on their face. Sunshine might seem like an important requirement for great outdoor photography, but direct sun can actually result in stark photos of people squinting. Instead, take advantage of cloudy days for good people photos — or, when the sun's out, position your subjects in the shade and turn the flash on. Then you get the benefit of the sunny scene around them, but they look more natural and comfortable.

Using the flash can ease the effect of harsh shadows cast in bright sunlight.