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Macaws, BoliviaOur editors have chosen the best photo tips of the year from our series featuring tips from top photographers. It’s the colors in this abstract photograph that allow us to recognize the birds in flight as macaws. Because macaws have such bright and distinctive colors, photographer Joel Sartore was able to create a successful abstract image, one in which birds of quieter hues would have disappeared.—Annie Griffiths Photo Tip: Distinct colors can help the viewer recognize objects in an abstract view. When presented with this advantage, the photographer has more leeway to be creative with time exposures and motion while still allowing the subject to read. Get more tips from Simply Beautiful: Palette »
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Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic

Best Photo Tips of 2011

See the top photo tips of 2011 as chosen by our editors.