Canon’s top tips for the perfect pics

SNAPMELBOURNE will culminate on November 16 in a day of snapping and sharing as we celebrate what we love about Melbourne. But you don’t need to wait until the big day to start.

HOW does your suburb wake up?

Looking out over the bay, the city skyline or the Dandenongs? With a jog through the park? Or perhaps with a coffee and a delicious breakfast at your favourite cafe?

#SnapMelbourne will culminate on November 16 in a day of snapping, hashtagging and sharing as we come together to celebrate what we love about life in Melbourne.

But you don’t need to wait until the big day to start. We’re offering a chance to practice taking your best pics now.

Polish your skills by taking pictures this week that reveal how your city wakes up.

We’ll publish some of the best shots taken and shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #SnapMelbourne — don’t forget to make the photo viewable to the public so we can see your fantastic pics.

In the coming weeks, we’ll have more themes, tips and tricks — inviting you to send in shots of local larrikins and characters, and to post pictures of your passions as you show us what you love most about our town.

Race horses walk the beach after a dawn wade in the waters of Port Phillip Bay, Mordialloc. Picture: Jason Sammon

CANON’S TOP TIPS

The Canon Collective experts have offered some top tips on how to take the perfect morning shot for #SnapMelbourne this week.

Silhouettes work brilliantly for sunrises. Aim your camera at a bright light source, then let the subject of the shot turn black to create this striking effect.

Head to your local cafe. You can find all kinds of fantastic colours and contrasts here. Try to capture the textures in the walls, colour choices and materials used, wait for the right moment, then snap.

Most people think you can’t actually shoot into the sun but doing so creates a halo around the subject, producing a “sun flare” which can make a great shot.

Mornings mean longer shadows. Aim your camera at the ground to capture the shadows. This is known as shooting “into the scene” for a creative snap.