Digital Photography Tips for Parents

According to Ratcliff, some of the most common mistakes people make when taking pictures involve shooting in the wrong lighting conditions.

Low-light conditions often create blurry images because the photographer moves while the shutter is open. He suggests using a tripod or a fill-flash to compensate for poor lighting.

Too much light in the background of a shot can make the foreground dark or cause so much contrast that the scene is not properly exposed. Ratcliff suggests taking outdoor family photos early or late in the day, when the light is soft.

"The best thing to do when shooting outdoors is to make sure your subject's back is to the sun, then use a fill-flash to fill in the shadows. That way, your subject is not squinting."