Timing

Another very important aspect of great photos is timing. There are two parts to good timing: time of day and point of greatest impact.

Time of day is important because it affects the lighting of the photographs. Early in the morning and late afternoon provide the best lighting, because it is softer and not directly overhead like it is at midday. Shooting at night also has a lot of effect, especially with city shots, where bright lights make a lot of contrast.

The moment of greatest impact is also important. Often this means you may have to wait a few seconds for the best photo, but it will be worth it. This is especially important when photographing animals and people.