At every school event, there’s a high schooler taking photos of the event. Most likely that photographer is out of sight, but is taking pictures of what’s going on. Staying out of sight and covering everything thoroughly takes a certain skillset.

Here are a few tips from the photographers about taking print worthy photographs:

Hasan Al-basri, senior: “If it’s something important like a game, you go and take pictures of the game. But at the halftime or there’s like a timeout you pictures of what surrounds you. Like the crowds, and cheerleaders.”

“If you’re taking photos of a classroom try to get [a good] angle and to get the students in the shoot. If you want to take a picture of a specific person, you’ll go and see the project they’re working on. Tell them to not look at the camera and take a picture.”

Bhawantha Nilaweera, senior: “For me it’s like the exposure of the photo and the color balance [that I edit].”

“[For plays] I usually get backstage and right in front of the crowds. I try and get some of the angles in the side.”

“[A good photo has] correct aperture, exposure, ISO, good quality and focus. A lot of action, depending on what’s going on.”

“I think a photo has to tell a story.”

R.J. Walling, sophomore: “The brightness, the quality and if it shows what’s going on. If you see the photo and it shows you what’s going on, then it’s a good photo.”

“I try to capture faces and emotions.”