How To Take A Good Photo

What is a “good photo”?

A good photo is a photo that represents the attitude, and feeling around the band, while showing how the band is, or at least, thinks of themselves as. In simpler terms, a good picture should show how you and your bandmates want the world to perceive your band. If you want a really serious, sad band, then take a serious, sad picture. If you have a really happy, upbeat band, take a really happe upbeat pictures. Pictures aren’t the time to look cool, they’re the time to show people who your band is.

“I don’t know how I want the world to perceive me!”

Well don’t worry, there are ways to take good pictures if you aren’t yet sure how you want the world to see you and your band. The most common is just an up-close picture of the band, usually leaning against a wall, or doing something “suave”. Another one people do is look off into the distance, with expressionless faces. And that works for most bands. But not if you want to stand out.

Steps to take:

Decide how your band wants to be perceived
Try to capture a picture of that attitude
Don’t be scared if it doesn’t look like an ordinary band picture. That is a good thing

A really great band picture, in my 14-year-old opinion, is something new and interesting. Want to know how many people have done the whole “lean against a wall and stare out into the distance” shtick? TONS OF PEOPLE. How many people have taken a band picture doing something weird like in mid jump into a pool with all your clothes on, or climbing around on the roof? A lot less people! This will really make your band stand out from the rest of the crowd.

In Summary:

Take a picture that reflets the attitude of your band
Try and do something new with your pictures
Don’t take a picture that reflects and attitude that you don’t want it to