The Northern Lights are one of nature's most spectacular displays of true majesty. These emotive and spectacular streams of coloring, also known as Aurora Borealis, dance in the cool night sky in colors of blue, purple, yellow, red, green, or pink. The irregularity is caused by the sun's energetic particles interacting with the atoms and molecules in the planet's air. The different shades are related to the different types of gas particles that smash, with the most well-known being a yellowish green. During the colder months, the Aurora Borealis is more grounded and visible, and timing is critical. Auroras happen on planet earth as well as on different universes in the planetary group like Jupiter and Neptune. Be that as it may, for the present gives center around top survey areas access Canada. So wrap up in your hottest parka, get your Tim Horton's espresso and be keeping watch for wild moose, Eh? Where to see the lights in Canada There are five key provinces and territories in Canada where catching sight of the elusive phenomena is almost guaranteed. Manitoba Churchill, in the far north of Manitoba, boasts ideal Northern Lights viewing conditions on almost 300 nights a year thanks to its location directly beneath the Aurora oval itself. Relax at Churchill Wild's Seal River Heritage Lodge or Dymond Lake Eco Lodge, where the friendly staff will make sure you don't miss a chance to enjoy the lights. The Churchill Hotel will arrange a night in an Aurora vault - a warmed plexiglass bubble located away from the town's light pollution to provide free views of the incredible show - for an experience you'll never forget. Saskatchewan and Alberta Some of the best northern lights in Canada can be seen in these 2 provinces, mainly because of how the aurora arch hits these two provinces. In Saskatchewan, you'll find a lot of Northern Lights action north of Saskatoon. In this region of the province, there are 11 provincial parks open all year. Pinehouse Lake and La Ronge, as well as the Paws'n'Paddles Wilderness Tours, are two wonderful sites to start your Northern Lights journey. Saskatchewan's license plate slogan, "Land of the Living Skies," is certainly true. The Yukon The most north westerly of Canada’s territories is sparsely populated and has minimal light pollution – stellar conditions for Aurora Borealis sightings. The show is at its best here in the beginning of winter, under the pitch-black sky and better still when you’re watching from an outdoor hot tub. At the Northern Lights Resort & Spa you can observe the northern lights from that hot tub, a teepee, or a cozy cabin with expansive glass walls. Alternatively, keep warm by a wood-fired barrel stove while you wait for the show to begin on a tour organized with Northern Tales Travel Service. For the best photo opportunities, head to the Midnight Dome in Dawson City – a scenic spot that overlooks the Yukon River and epic Klondike Valley, Aurora blazing overhead. Northwest Territories/Nunavut A 2-hour departure from Vancouver on the northern shores of Great Slave Lake, the capital of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, lies inland so it's typically liberated from murkiness and cloud ­-fundamental for the most clear view. As a matter of fact, the view is obvious to the point that the Northwest Territories normal 240 evenings every extended period of ideal aurora seeing circumstances. Aurora searchers as a rule stay in inns like The Explorer or Chateau Nova prior to branching away to a survey area. Floor covering up well - or enjoy Aurora Village's fire-warmed Teepee experience. Further off-framework, the eco-grant winning Blachford Lake Lodge and Wilderness Resort is available just through a 25-minute bushplane departure from Yellowknife and offers hotel or log-lodge convenience with in-house gourmet experts.

April 2, 2022 Many folks in Canada and the upper United States have been fortunate enough to witness heightened northern light activity during the previous few days. Auroras have been seen as far south as Nevada, and they look to be a bright red. Because of a massive coronal mass ejection from the sun, a strong geomagnetic storm watch was in effect from March 31 to April 2, 2022. An aurora surged across the northern United States and Canada on Wednesday night. Many others remarked on the aurora's intense red, which could be seen with the naked eye, while the dancing lights showed in greens, purples, and pinks. Hundreds, if not thousands, of amateur photographers have been out exploring dark dirt roads throughout the continent in search of the ideal snap as the aurora borealis was anticipated to explode in the night sky during the last several days. If you didn't know, the northern lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a stunning, colorful show of light that can be seen in the northern hemisphere's night sky, but not as frequently as they have been in recent days. The bright dancing lights of the aurora are actually collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the earth's atmosphere. Northern lights have been seen as far south as New Orleans in the western hemisphere, but equivalent regions in the east have never witnessed the enigmatic lights. The finest spots to see the Northern Lights (in North America) are in Canada's northwestern provinces, including Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Alaska. Dre Erwin, a photographer from Craven, Saskatchewan, Canada, shot the light show at 1030 p.m. "Having lived in Regina and Moose Jaw for much of my life, these were some of the greatest reds I've ever seen." "Normally, only a camera can see red, but these colours were apparent with the naked eye," Erwin explains. Auroral displays come in a variety of colours, although the most prevalent are mild green and pink. There have been reports of red, yellow, green, blue, and violet hues. The lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from patches or scattered clouds of light to streamers, arcs, rippling curtains, or shooting beams that cast an eerie glow across the sky. Auroral displays can also be visible over Greenland's southern tip, Iceland, Norway's northern shore, and the coastal waters north of Siberia. Because auroras in the southern hemisphere are concentrated in a ring around Antarctica and the southern Indian Ocean, they are rarely seen. Areas that are not subject to 'light pollution' are the best places to watch for the lights. Areas in the north, in smaller communities, tend to be best. Photographers frequently have to travel outside of the city to locate these dark skies. "It's ideal to go out throughout the day and scope out a site before it gets too dark," Erwin advises. Persistence is often required. Fun Fact: Some people claim to hear noises associated with the northern lights, but documenting this phenomenon has been difficult. Did you get some pictures of the northern lights in Canada or the United States over the last few days? We would love to see them...

I love this quote: "Set your life on fire. Seek those that fan your flame"! My translation to that is this: dont be hanging out with people always wanting to pull you down or make you look bad. The prerequisite to hangout out with any person is that they nourish and inspire you. They feed your flame! Look around you..who are the people you call friends? Who are the ones you text most often and talk to? Do they believe in you and support you? For me, I have always removed those who try to bring me down. When I was in high school, all some of my closet friends did was smoke up...they sat around, did nothing but get high, joke around, play video games, and get nowhere in life! I remember a kid, 14 years old dropped out of school just to hang out with them more often...and what did any of them do? Well put it this way, they didn't discourage him from dropping out that's fore-sure. So for me, leaving this group of friends was very tuff at the time...these were my buddies and at the time I couldn't see myself not hanging out with them! But, if it wasn't for my bravely and courage at the time to walk away, I wouldn't be where I am and who I am today! Always have a person beside you fanning your flames! Drop your phone for a second and look around you...are the ones you talk to and keep close throwing logs on your flame or pissing on it?! Thanks Will Smith for the encouragement :)

Imagine growing up and not knowing there was something this amazing and magical in the sky at night! Well that's me: and it's the story for so many people, even those in the far north believe it or not. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, I never knew we could see the northern lights frequently in southern Saskatchewan until just recently. One can always "enhance" a picture to make the northern lights look brighter then they were, but these pictures are basically straight out of the camera! We decided to take a drive a few minutes north of the Regina after noticing on Facebook that Iceland got a good show a few hours ago. Hint: this is usually more predicable and a better indication of aurora display, then any app might be ;) It wasn't until I moved back home from northern Saskatchewan was I able to witness them here for myself in southern Saskatchewan, and wow, I wasn't disappointed! We almost left Condie Nature preserve before the northern lights got really good - another reminder that perseverance always pays off. I felt bad for all the people who left before us. Perseverance" something I learned doing aurora borealis photography up north. Sometimes it might suck having to stand around and wait for something that might never happen - maybe it's a bit of faith as well. Maybe it's that we often are looking down in life or maybe too busy living in city life, we fail or forget to look up from time to time. Regardless, it was pretty exciting to see them here and I am glad to have got some footage for everyone to enjoy. I'd love to see your pictures - please share anytime!

It was years ago Sharon Maurice Natomagan picked up her first camera. I think it was a Polaroid” Sharon says, “it was when I was about 12 years old when I first discovered photography”. After discovering how to take pictures, Sharon fell in love with it. “My pictures are everything to me” Sharon says, “taking pictures helped me get through some difficult times in my life.” A lot has changed since then. Now digital cameras make it so much easier for the youth to go out and use the cameras. We don’t need to develop the pictures like we had to back in the day says Sharon. "They basically can go out and take as many pictures a they want". The local photography club in town offers free cameras and equipment including a studio space for youth to sit down, talk about why they took the pictures they did, and edit them together. Sharon works at the Pinehouse Health Centre as a Public Health Educator and is currently one of six people on the board of directors for the Pinehouse Photography Club. “Using photography really helped me get through some tuff times when I was a kid so I can relate to what some of the youth might be going through” Sharon says. “Helping kids now with therapeutic photography really makes me feel good”. Sharon and one of her colleague’s from the Pinehouse Health Clinic, Verna Iron, recently took a group of 13 youth from the photography club to Meadow lake aquatic center as a token of appreciation for their hard work. “Things like this happen because of people who support the club and donate” Sharon says. Sharon says she plans on doing more with the youth and the club and has even offered her cabin for youth retreats in the summers. “Seeing these kids happy with smiles on their face is really rewarding” Sharon adds. The Pinehouse Photography Club uses therapeutic photography to help youth heal from trauma. The club uses it to help prevent mental health problems by using the camera as a tool for the youth to see beauty in life. For more information, you can follow them on their Facebook group or their website.

When And Where Can I See the Northern Lights? Have you ever wanted to take pictures of the northern lights but just didnt know how? It's actually pretty easy. The legendary Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) is one of the most beautiful and spectacular natural phenomena in the world, visible in the higher latitudes of the Northern hemisphere. That means one of the best places to see the Northern Lights is in Canada. Viewing this natural light show is easier than you’d think! From August to May, the Northern Lights bejewel the night sky in the Canadian Arctic, against a backdrop of incredible scenery and possible rare wildlife sightings. You can use any camera with an option for Manual settings. Following these steps, most modern cameras will produce beautiful digital photos for on-screen purposes. Step 1: Set to Manual Set your camera to Manual. Set your lens to Manual. Turn off Image Stabilization (typically the button next to ‘manual’ on your lens). Turn your Flash setting to OFF! Why must I use the Manual settings? Automatic settings are great in daylight, when the camera can sense and measure it’s surrounding. But cameras don’t see in the dark, and thus the Automatic setting is useless in Northern Lights conditions. If you leave your lens set to Automatic, it will continuously zoom in and out in a failed attempt to find focus in the dark. And because of the dark it will want to use the flash; to read the area. Your flash, however, is a harsh light pollutant and will wash out the Northern Lights and temporarily blind everyone around you. Make sure your flash is set to OFF. Step 2: ISO setting ISO 1600 is a good start What does the ISO setting do? This is what controls the light sensitivity of your ‘film’. Some of you may remember a pre-digital era when you had to choose a different ISO film for different occasions. ISO 100 or lower for sunny days and ISO 200-400 for cloudy days. Digitally, now it’s a turn of a button. The ISO button. The higher the ISO, the less light you need to “develop” a picture. But beware; with higher ISO comes lower quality. Most modern cameras do well with ISO 1600 (or even more) without compromising quality. Older cameras may produce grainy photos on ISO above 400/800. Step 3: Aperture = f-stop f-2.8 or the lowest f-number you can get What does the aperture do? The aperture, or f-stop (f-2.8, f-4, f-5,6 etc) on your camera tells you how widely your lens is open = the size of the opening letting light through the lens. This you can adjust by setting the f-stop. Confusingly, the lower the f-number, the bigger the opening. For Northern Lights photography we want the biggest opening (the lowest f-number) possible on our camera. Because: the more light your lens can take in = the lower shutter speed you can use = the quicker you can capture your shot = the more detail you can get in your Northern Lights image (because the lights are constantly moving). Step 4: Shutter speed 10 sec. is a good start What does the shutter speed do? Shutter speed = exposure time = the time your lens is open and absorbing light. You will need to adjust the shutter speed as the strength of the Northern Lights changes through an evening. For example: Soft lights = 10-30 sec. shutter speed. Strong lights = 1-6 sec. shutter speed. Step 5: Use a Tripod Mount your camera on a tripod Why do I need a tripod? Holding your breath and keeping very very still is not gonna cut it. You may be taking your photo for 30 seconds, that’s half a minute. Maybe it will even be windy. Bottom line: you will move = your photo will be blurry. So use a tripod. It can be as minimal as you like, it just needs to not be a living, breathing human body… as you will hopefully be in spite of the cold conditions Step 6: Zoom & Focus Zoom out (lowest mm setting on your lens) Here are some focus-finding options: Set to the infinity symbol, if you have one: ∞ Pre-set your focus during the day Zoom in on a star or the Moon/star, set the focus and zoom back out “But my camera has auto-focus” Not in the dark. Get to know your manual focus options. If you have the infinity option (∞), great. But test it, it may not be exact. Ideally, find your focus during daylight hours, and either memorie it or make a mark on your lens rim (use tape, white marker, Tippex etc.). And always zoom out completely, the Northern Lights occupy a large space in the sky, and we want to capture as much of it as we can. Step 7: Remotely release the shutter Use a remote control, or a 2 sec. self-timer, or an app. Why can’t I just push the shutter button? Earlier, we talked about the problems of being a living, breathing human body. Every time you touch your camera you will shake it, causing a possible blur in your photo. This is also applicable when you push the shutter-release button. Remote control is best. 2 sec. self-timer is also good. Some cameras can use apps. What next? Try out all these Northern Lights Photography settings before going out on your hunt. Get to know your camera. Once you are out, set everything up and do some test shots. Adjust the settings as needed. If your image is too bright, lower your shutter speed or ISO. If your image is too dark, up your shutter speed or ISO. It’s as simple as that! Replacement batteries? Normally not needed for a 3-4 hours night out Northern Lights hunting. But, if your camera is highly technical or if you will be using an app, you may be needing 1-2 extra batteries. Want a picture of yourself under the Northern Lights? No problem, it’s actually quite easy! You will need a friend and a strong flashlight, or ideally a manually operated camera flash (don’t attach it to your camera, just hold it behind the camera and shoot manually). Use all the same settings as above for the Northern Lights. And then the aim is to freeze the subject, you, in motion. As a living, breathing human being you can’t stay completely motionless for the duration of exposure time. So: You stay as still as humanly possible during the whole exposure time. Anywhere during the exposure time your friend flashes you with a quick light. Do some test shots to get used to the method and find the best lighting. Et voila! You have a photo of yourself under the Northern Lights! Information obtained from https://happyworld.is/northern-lights-photography-settings/

It has been a very cloudy and cold winter so far in Pinehouse Lake Saskatchewan. Most days and evenings have been cloudy and not the right settings for night photography. "It has been really tough waiting everyday and every night to go out" says Dre Erwin, President of the Pinehouse Photography Club (PPC). "Photography gives myself and others an opportunity to not only learn a new skill, but gives us the opportunity to seek beauty and find happiness" says Erwin. "Not having the lights really does impact my own mental health as well". The last 3 nights Pinehouse saw clear skies and northern lights! "Finally" says Charlene Halkett, PPC member and volunteer. Over the last 3 nights, 5-6 members of the PPC were able to get out and do night photography, some of them for the first time ever. 9 year old Aliyah Smith was one of them. Along with other members, Aliyah quickly learned how to take pictures of the northern lights. "It was so much fun. I just didn't wanted to stop even though my toes were really cold the first night" said Smith. "Doing night photography can seem intimidating at first because it requires some different equipment and techniques. But what we want to do to teach youth that it isn't that hard with the right direction" says Erwin. The PPC organized in Pinehouse Lake and a branch of the Canadian PhotoHealth Authority, using therapeutic photography to help teach photography to youth and use the skill to help them answer questions such as "How does taking this picture make you feel? What do you want other people to think/feel when they see this picture? How does taking pictures and being apart of this club help with your own mental health? For Aliyah, "photography makes me feel happy!!" "I want other people to think how amazing it is up here and I want them to see what I have done and I am just 9 years old", Smith. "We want youth to be proud of their community and we want them to practice seeing the good in life," says Erwin. "The more one looks for positivity, the more they will attract it in their own lives". For the youth and members of the PPC, this is what they aim to do not only in Pinehouse, but all over the country. "Being in the club is awesome! I love photography especially with the northern lights and it makes me feel happy and I forget about any bad thoughts or feelings I might have", Smith. "When we were ready to leave, it was Aliyah who didn't want to stop lol" says Erwin. "She really enjoyed it!". "It is what the youth in Pinehouse are asking for...more of this!" Situated in Pinehouse Lake, the PPC aims to provide cameras, equipment, and training to anyone in the community. "It's been a long, tough uphill battle at times" says Erwin. "Often we don't have enough volunteers to help either!" "It doesn't matter where I go, the gym, to the store, or messaging me on Facebook, youth are constantly asking me "When is the studio open?" When can we go out and take pictures?" says Erwin. "As a primary care nurse I have my own commitments and obligations but I see what the club is doing for youth as such an innovative way to help prevent mental health issues in the future!". "It is the youth that really matter and their mental health so even though it's often very challenging, to me it is so worth it!" says Erwin How can your community start a therapeutic photography club?

Slow down and take extra time with their travels. Especially if you’re in active wildlife corridors like valleys, somewhere that’s close to trees or tall grass – places that animals want to hide. Last year, 387 people were injured and three people died in just under 13,000 vehicle collisions with deer and moose.

When it comes to mental health problems, say depression and anxiety, most of what is offered are responses to the problems such as medications, support, and counselling. We look at getting verbal help when we deal with things like depression or anxiety. But most often, we are left after wondering "now what!?" "If I didn’t find out about you guys I would probably be doing cuts on my arms and I would be probably still in my depression putting myself down," -Keara Tinker, youth photographer. There are so many reasons why photography can be therapeutic. Photography can be used as a way of expressing yourself with the use of a camera. Without even saying a word, people can take pictures to express their emotions and feelings. Youth are encouraged to go outside, connect with nature and get physical exercise. "I love going outside and exploring, looking for things to take pictures of," Tinker. They come to the club, meet new people, make new friends and bonds with others. "It feels like our own little family" Louis Iron, youth photographer. Photographs often allow positive feedback from others, which can be huge when going through depression or dealing with anxiety. "Kids share their pictures on social media, they get likes and messages from people all over the country," Dre Erwin, President of the Pinehouse Photography Club. "Having the club and all of you support me encourages me to do more and start helping others to do the same." -Charlene Halkett, photographer With so many youth feeling isolated and alone especially in northern and rural communities, "having this positive feedback, something they created, is such a rewarding experience for us all", Erwin. “Keeping your emotions all locked up is something that’s unfair to you. When you clearly know how you feel. You should say it.” — Taylor Swift Those that practice therapeutic photography begin to see life in a different way. "I never seen Pinehouse the way I see it now" says Angelina Ratt, youth photographer. It provides a shift in perspective (you’re literally looking through a new/different lens, often seeing the world differently). "Photography helped me a lot in life. Before, I was going through depressing and negative thoughts all the time" -Louis Iron Using photography helps give people a positive focus. It begins to help, especially youth, in how they perceive the world around them. Youth practice focusing through the lens, say to get a clear or sharp picture, eventually they begin to apply this technique to everyday life. "The more you look for beauty, the more you practice looking for the perfect shot, the more you see in even without the camera in front of your face," Dre Erwin, President of the Pinehouse Photography Club. Focusing through the camera leads to "increased ability to focus in your life and focus on what positive things that you want in your life. "It is the law of attraction" Erwin. "What you think of the most is what you will attract," -Erwin When youth begin practicing this, they begin to always looks for beauty and the perfect shot, "wherever they are and whatever they are doing, they begin to focus on what is good in life, and no so much on what is bad or maybe what happened in the past" Erwin. "A man is but the product of his thoughts. What he thinks he becomes." – Gandhi Photography acts as non-verbal communication, which can be huge when dealing with issues like depression or anxiety that are hindered by stigma. "So many of our youth have never talked about thoughts of suicide or depression with anyone before. This is so enlightening to see how photography opens the door to talking about your thoughts and feelings" Erwin. Youth begin expressing themselves through their pictures, a perfect opportunity for self expression and reflection. "We ask youth questions like 'what inspired you to take these pictures; how do they make you feel and what were you thinking and feelings when you took them; how do you want others to feel when they see them.'' Erwin. Therapeutic photography also works like a form of meditation for the youth. It provides them like a “flow” state with photography, but often it simply helps youth to focus externally — rather than getting caught up in the thoughts racing through their mind. "Photography was my escape from the pain I was going through. Whenever I was having a bad day, I knew I could always go to my camera" -Chris Triffo, Wavelength Director Photography can be a connection to your subconscious mind, helping youth to discover powerful personal insights about the cause behind their depression. Often the answers we seek externally are found within us. For more information, you can contact the PPC here or visit their Facebook group.

“Most of the these youth have never had this opportunity to go to BC before. Many of them haven't barely even left their home community of Pinehouse, so we were very excited to do this for them” Dre Erwin, President of the Pinehouse Photography Club. "I love the PPC family!!!" -Tyson Ratt Sponsored by Six Rivers Fund, 13 youth were given the opportunity to do photography this summer at Tie Lake, British Columbia, close to the USA border. With the power of taking pictures, youth learned the value of group therapy and using the camera to talk about their personal feelings and emotions. Often the youth would take pictures, then come back and talk about them, what inspired them to take the pictures, reflecting on their thoughts and emotions. The club was also sponsored by the Community Initiatives Fund (CIF) and was awarded $9000 towards the purchase of 30 Nickon CoolPix cameras. "These cameras are so easy to use, the quality is amazing, and the youth just love using it," Mallory Lariviere, program director. Louis Iron, 16 year old who attended the trip says "the pictures are amazing and we can connect using WIFI and Bluetooth to our Ipads and phones." "I was so happy being there" - Dakota Natomagan, youth participant The Pinehouse Photography Club (PPC) uses therapeutic photography with youth to help start the conversation about mental health. Jonathan Durocher, a 13 year old who attended, says he loved the trip. "I really miss it and wish we could do it again right away", says Durocher. Durcocher was one of 13 youth, between the ages of 13-18 from the Pinehouse Photography Club (PPC) had the adventure of a lifetime this past summer as they all got chosen out of a hat to go for a week. "I dont think about being sad or depressed when we are taking pictures. BC was so amazing and I made so many new friends," Durocher. "I was able to feel like myself and open up about my feelings" -Louis Iron Therapeutic photography provides youth with an outlet to express their feelings and emotions. "Having all these youth together with us, we were able to spend some quality time with them for an entire week," Erwin. "We could be out taking pictures together, relaxing at the cabin, or in the vehicle, but we all had the opportunities to share a lot of personal things. We all shared a lot of laughs and even tears," Erwin. "I really feel like I am important now. Photography really did save my life" -Keara Tinker, youth participant. Youth were all given an all expenses paid trip to BC and back. A lot of fundraising was needed. Jon Ray Durocher, volunteer and Vice President of the PPC, "We all worked tirelessly for months before the trip, making and selling pizzas, selling ice cream, so we could provide the kids with some spending money too". Youth ended the trip in west Edmonton mall and were all given $100 each for spending money there. Shortly before arriving back in Pinehouse, youth were able to witness and take pictures of the northern lights. "It was such an amazing way to end the trip," Zackary Warren, youth participant. Louis Iron was just talking about the recent suicide of his step father. "And then I get a chance to see these lights and take pictures of them. It was like a sign from him that everything will be ok", Iron. For final evaluation, youth were asked to write short evaluations about their experiences and how it helped with their mental health. This also included depression scoring and follow up. For more information and to see their personal stories, you can join their club on Facebook.

"Adam" phenomenon was recently witnessed in the early hours of Aug 26th, 2018 near Pinehouse Lake, Saskatchewan. Clouds occupied most of the sky until about 1am when a group of aurora hunters backed up their gear and drove all across town and out into the country to get their shots. Aurora hunter Jon Ray describes what he saw: "Well we were out late last night and all through the morning when we witnessed this wriggly part of Steve. That's when we decided it needed a name too. So what better name then Adam and Steve lol". Jon says Steve is often a line and rarely has these wriggly waves in them. Steve likely forms when electrically-charged particles from the sun collide with magnetic energy found in Earth’s atmosphere. It streaks across the sky at a speed of approximately 21,600 km/h Jon Ray says, "it's just an amazing experience being out there you know. We never know when it's going to get good or even if it will. So there is a lot of standing and waiting going on...Lots of excitement too :)" The group hopes to go out again this week and witness "Adam" and Steve once again.

So what goes through your mind when your out and about taking pictures? Do you have a plan, do you go out to capture a certain picture or moment, or do you go out and just take a bunch of pictures, hoping for the best? If your like most people, you just hope to get a bunch of good pictures to post or enlarge but planning ahead can help you out in the long run. 1. Straight and Level One of my biggest pet peeves in photography is when a picture isn't straight. Sometimes its difficult to do perfectly and often can be corrected in post production. This also applies to camera shake and how you hold the camera. Focus on deep breathing while taking pictures - much like being a marksman sniper. It is also important to try to follow the rule of 3rds - your horizon should be 1/3 from the top or bottom. 2. Is your picture telling a story? One of the biggest challenges in photography, but regardless, you should be taking pictures that tell a nonverbal story. Are there emotions that you want to convoy to the viewer - maybe the love shared between two people. Ask yourself "why am I taking this picture? What is it's purpose and what message do I want to convey?" 2. Focus What are you focusing on. What do you want viewers to see. What do you want your viewers eyes to be drawn to and look for competing focus points and ask yourself if they are distracting or not. Should you reposition yourself? Think of the rule of thirds for example. 3. Are you close enough? Another common mistake in digital photography is taking shots where your subject is too small in the frame. Shots that fill the frame with your subject tend to be much more dynamic and show a lot more detail of your subject. To get this effect you have the option of moving yourself closer, moving your subject closer or using a longer focal length to give the effect of closeness. 4. Is there enough light? Always give consideration to how your subject is lit. Without light you’ll lose detail and clarity in your image and your camera will have to compensate by doing things like increasing ISO and lengthening shutter speeds (which could lead to noisy and blurred images). What is the main source of light, where is it coming from, is there enough light, do you need artificial light sources (flash etc), do you need to stabilize your camera on a tripod to stop camera shake due to low light etc. Read more on using artificial light here and here as well as photographing moving subjects in low light conditions.Crooked-2 5. How will someones eye travel through this image? This is related to asking about focal points but gets in touch with the fact that while you’re photographing a still image your viewers eyes don’t remain still as they look at an image. People tend to follow lines and are attracted to shapes and colors so considering all of these different visual elements and cues can help improve your shots considerably. Read more on horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines and how they impact a shot.