Better Pictures Take Time and Thought
A large part of taking photographs for submission is to have an interesting subject that corresponds to the theme of the contest. Photography is one of the many media types being judged in the 2009 Student Artist Competition.

Here are a few tips and techniques below to help you capture the best photo possible for the competition:

• Hold your camera at the subject’s eye level. This will capture the power of their unique smiles and gaze. For kids and pets, this means getting down on their level when taking their picture. The subject doesn’t have to look directly into the lens of the camera because the eye level angle will create a personal and inviting feeling.
• Use a basic background. A cluttered background is distracting, while a simple one will emphasize your subject.
• Check the area behind your subject, and pay attention to trees, poles, or other objects that may appear to be sprouting from your subject’s head. 

 If you have additional questions or want advanced photo techniques, check out these sites: 

Kodak’s Top 10 Tips

Adobe's Digital Kids Club