That’s fantastic! However, with such a wealth of information available regarding photography, figuring out where to start can be daunting. To get off on the right foot, simply start out by following these simple tips.
Good photographs are those that are kept simple. Often the best pictures are the ones that you take naturally, without worrying about all the extras.
Use the simpler features of your camera settings. It is best to tackle settings one at a time: master light or focus, then learn how to control shutter speed. This will enable you get the image that you want, when you want it, instead of losing time having to fumble with the settings.
Try new things, and don’t fear trying new techniques. Personal style should be in a good photograph to express your point of view. Stay away from taking classic pictures that people have seen a million times. Try looking for angles that are unique, and be creative.
Lots of people believe that taking pictures in bright sunshine creates the best images. However, this isn’t the case, because direct sunlight can ruin almost all photographs. It can leave shadows and glare everywhere as well as uneven highlights. If you’re going to be taking photographs outside, try to take them early in the morning or late in the evening.
Properly framing your subject can improve your photograph. Make sure to zoom in on the focus of the picture, and keep distracting elements out of the picture. This helps your photo remain clutter-free without distracting elements.
Photography is about having fun and expressing yourself. Your photos should be a capsule of a particular time and place in your life. You should be able to look at these photos and instantly remember where you were and what you were thinking when you shot them. Have fun when actually taking the pictures and will will soon fall in love with photography.
When you are choosing which photographs you want to display, look at each picture you have taken and only choose your favorites. Resist the urge to show multiple angles of the same setting or showing too many images at a time. It is very tedious to see this type of repetition. Look for ways to highlight different facets of your photographs as you inject each image with a fresh take.
External Flash
Play around with the settings on your camera and create different compositions for your photographs. It is possible to take very interesting, high-quality photographs without focusing on traditional subject matter. A good photographer makes even insignificant objects look interesting. Experiment to find a style that works for you.
The majority of digital cameras now come with a feature that automatically uses the flash whenever the area you are photographing is too dim. These are great for a quick snapshot, but if you want to take your photos to the next level, consider a professional external flash unit to provide a better range of lighting options. Check to make sure your camera has a “hot shoe” on top that will accommodate an external flash, then go to a professional camera store to ensure that you are getting one that automatically syncs with your camera.
If you are attracted to the old-fashioned feel and look of the photos taken by film-based cameras, you can buy a film-camera at a discount price through a second-hand store and give it a try. You can use ISO 200 black-and-white film to get a great balance between versatility and dramatic results. Once you develop your film, try printing it on different paper styles, including ones that are fiber-based.
Consider joining a photography based club, or simply going out and taking some pictures with a fellow photographer. While you may learn new techniques, make sure you keep your own signature style. You can even compare photographs of the same subject with another photographer and discuss the differences.
Use limits to help yourself focus in on a subject and be more creative As an example, you may decide to take pictures for the day that represent the concept of “sour.” Take that goal one step further, by take 100 different and unique photos of the same subject, or in confined quarters. These strict limits will force you to try new ideas and think creatively.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not a good idea to wear white for a photo. Most photographs will use the auto-focus setting and let the camera interpret what is in the frame. White clothing will almost always get “washed out” in these photographs.
Use natural lighting. Shoot outdoor photos at the beginning or ending of daylight. Strong natural light casts long shadows and causes the people you are photographing to squint. The sun should be hitting just one side of your subject.
If you are going to be taking a picture of a large group, give them some suggestions on how to wear complementary clothing. Matched colors aren’t mandatory, but clothing colors in the same family or in complimentary tones will greatly enhance your resulting photos. Recommend warm colors or neutral hues; these shades blend in well with a variety of different backgrounds. If you are considering a more festive, brightly colored setting, advise the subjects to balance colored tops with black bottoms. This ensures that the various colors do not compete for the viewer’s attention.
Patterns have a natural ability to draw people’s attention. Patterns, especially repeating ones, make photographs much more interesting to view. These can help create fascinating backdrops for your photos.
Use the manual white balance when taking your photographs. This gives you a much greater degree of control over the appearance and mood of your photographs, and can often produce stunning results. It may take some trial and error, but eventually, you will produce beautiful and creative photographs.
Experimenting with the focus can produce some interesting images. You can increase the clarity of the main subject and blur the background by reducing the f-stop number. This is especially good for portraits. A larger f-stop number will increase the depth of the field, making everything in the photograph, background and foreground, focused. This will work well for photographs of landscapes.
Good photographs happen when your camera is kept in focus on your subject. A focused photo will have good composition as well as personal style. In your early photographs, you should focus on centering your subject. The background will fall into place, so do not worry about it.
When you are ready to take a photo, you should first figure out if you need/want to expose the shadows or highlight of your subject. Or, you can use photoshop or some other program to blend two photos together.
Practice Shots
Don’t miss a shot because you’re trying to correct your settings. However, never just use the preset settings where your camera is choosing the settings. Experiment with your camera’s features to see how different settings affect your photos.
Get in as many practice shots as you can, especially when photographing a new environment or subject. Every photographing situation can vary widely, and taking practice shots will give you a feel for the environment. Lighting can change often, do not be afraid to take more practice shots in between your actual pictures.
You can add an extension on to your lenses called a filter. You can screw a filter right on the lens to get additional effects. A UV filter is the most common type you’ll find in photography. It filters the harmful rays out of sunlight. It can also protect it from an accidental drop.
If you do not use the ISO in your camera correctly, it will work against you. The higher the ISO value, the wider the field of view, which translates into grainy prints. If you don’t need grain on a shot, this can really ruin the affect you were trying to achieve.
You need to make sure you take time and pose your subject. If you think that your pictures are not as good as they could be, it might be because your photos are too candid. Doing so helps to give you a perfect picture.
Now that you’ve read this article, you should have some ideas for how to improve your photography skills. Return to this list as needed to brush up on the techniques discussed. Keep working on perfecting your photography, your work will pay off!
Mobile phone cameras are way better than they were five years ago, but lighting remains a problem. They often don’t have a flash, so you must set up your picture so that you won’t need one. Zoom helps to keep strong light sources out of the shot.
