Look at this PIC, Is it just me or do the majority of people NOT know how to take a good picture?

I ask friends or family memebrs to take pictures of me and my family when for example, my son is blowing out the candles at his birthday party or any other family moment and they just DO NOT know how to take a decent picture!! It's so frustrating! Do I need to hire a photographer just to have a picture of us as a family without the tops of our heads cut off!?

look at this pic:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22095272@N0...

this always happens!

Well, the cake looks nice...LOL...
Seriously, I know what you mean...What you see is what you get when you look through the camera...HOW HARD IS IT TO CENTER A PICTURE????

I did realize that when you give a person a new camera they tend to panic and shoot quickly and forget to frame the photo...ALSO, people will push the shutter, then start to move the camera, and then the picture is captured...SHUTTER LAG IS THE WORST...and if you give anyone a camera with a zoom lens, they zoom in and out and miss the FREAKIN picture...Finally, when I want a good picture, I tell the person, "don't touch the zoom, and hold the camera still until you hear the click or see a flash." That tip helps, and if you can preview the first picture, and give feedback that helps too...good luck...IT DRIVES ME CRAZY TOO...

you sure do. Hire me.

Awwww... this is kinda cute. Shame they cut off the top of his head.

But you're right - most people really don't know how to compose a picture or how to handle a camera. At least this pic isn't all blurry because the person was breathing... No head, no feet is a very, very common snapshot mistake. Amateur photographers have been getting coached about it for years and years.

I think whoever took the pic was more interested in the cake!!!

Don't be angry...

As frustrating as you feel, since you want the good pics and it's NOT you taking the pic/behind the lens.. you have to know, by now that 100% of the pics taken aren't going to be winners, right? even professional photographers can take 100 snaps and you'd see that only 5% are worth it... In fact, personal friends/family can take BETTER pictures, because there's more "pressure" on them to "focus" and make sure everyone's looking, etc. etc. My RULE of thumb is, make sure that I'm taking the pitcures (meaning YOU) because you won't blame yourself and you won't be angry at someone else. I know you can't be 2-3 places, at once.. but anticipate the "money shots" and Be There.

Your friends/family member tried.. the shot could have been centered and perfect, with your son's finger in his nose or blinking etc. (give them a break). In time, it will pass!!

P.S. -- Sometimes, a family member won't realize that they are tilting the camera.. they actually SEE the shot perfectly.. but, since the camera is actually tilted slightly down its aiming lower (and thus the heads are cut off).

yup u should either u'll regret later like u doing right now...coz pictures are memories for the lifetime...or u hand over the camera to the person who can click better pictures.....

I looked at your pictures,cute kids,I Love the kisses.
but your life on film is not that of a celebrity's or a political figure.
the photos were taken with love and respect from an average person.you could use a better camera.

Some people just have a knack for taking good pictures and some just never will, lol. Have you instructed them on how to take better pics? There should be no need to hire a photographer for this. You could also buy a camera with a wider angle lens or buy just the lens itself.

I hate that. You have the perfect oppurtunity for the perfect picture, and then someone ruins it like that. I mean really, just back up, and it'll all fit. :)

It's actully kind of cute, but even though they cut off part of his head. maybe it was just too crowded. If I lived near u, I would've been a big help. I take good pictures randomnly. It's easy, I can't see how it's so hard to just take a darn picture! my mom is the same. Why don't u just take pictures by yourself? my parents used to do that when I was younger and it always turned out nice.

you are correct, some people just dont know how to use a camera correctly, the other problem i have ran into is that sometimes people really cheap cameras and they want a professional picture, this may not apply to you, but the quality of the camera does have alot to do with the quality.

take care..