That’s fantastic! With so much information available, it can be hard to know where to start. Here is some advice that will cut through all the middle ground and aid you in improving your shot quality quickly.
Get close to your subject for a better shot. This will help you frame your subject, and block out disruptive backgrounds. It also allows facial expressions to really stand out, which can provide your pictures with a lot of emotion. The intricacy of portraiture can be lost entirely if you keep your distance from the subject.
Always check out other photographers and what they are taking pictures of. When you see the work of photographers you admire, you will be reminded of the limitless potential for your pictures.
A vital photography composition factor, is framing. Zoom in on your subject and eliminate any surrounding distractions. This can keep your pictures from feeling cluttered, busy, and distracting to the eye.
Adjust the white balance on your camera manually when possible. Often, incandescent bulbs commonly found in homes and businesses result in a yellow tinge to photographs taken indoors. By changing the white balance feature on your camera this will be reduced and you will notice a whole different quality to your photographs. This will definitely provide your pictures with a professional appearance.
Ensure you have an extra charged battery so you do not miss the greatest photos. You should always load your digital camera with fully-charged batteries, because it can be a real energy hog, especially when you use the LCD screen. If you are really serious about photography, then you might even want to carry extra batteries in your camera bag, so you never miss anything good.
External Flash
Digital cameras almost always have a built-in flash that will go off when the external light is too dim. These are convenient for quick photos, but if you are hoping for something a little more professional, consider investing in an external flash unit for a broader range of lighting. Ensure that there is a “hot shoe”, or port that allows external flash, on top of the camera. Most devices available can sync perfectly with compatible cameras.
Allow your camera to automatically focus on the subject, then move slightly in such a way that the subject is no longer in the center of the frame. When a subject is in the center, it is very mundane and not fun to look at. Take interesting pictures by making the subject off center.
ISO, shutter speed and aperture are important settings, and you may have to try different settings for the best results. It is those three elements which make up the exposure of the shot. Unless you’re trying for a particular effect, you probably want to avoid taking shots that are over- or under-exposed. See what kind of combinations you can come up with by switching up these three features.
Just like a military sniper, once you have your picture ready and in focus, you should pause to hold in a breath and steady yourself before taking the shot. You could ruin your shot by accidentally moving. Take a spare second, right before hitting the shutter button, to hold your breath and get a straight shot.
You should now have a clue as to what you need to do to improve your photography skills. Return to this advice if you ever feel you need a refresher course. With practice and research, you can develop a keen eye for photography and turn your hobby into a passion.
