This batch of tips is a great starting point for novice photographers to learn valuable skills and tactics. You will find that a beginner will have a place to start if they wish to become a professional at photography by following these tips.
Try using a variety of shutter speeds to determine the best methods for different settings and circumstances. Photography lets you capture a single moment or show motion over time by adjusting shutter speed. Using a faster shutter speed will let you catch objects while they are in motion, while a slow shutter speed is great for capturing serene natural settings.
Getting Closer
When photographing landscapes, create a sense of depth. Create a good sense of scale with the use of a recognized object in your foreground. To gain sharper images, adjust your aperture to a smaller setting; try f/16 for full-frame single lens reflex cameras and f/8 for the more standard digital ones.
Stand close to your subjects to take better pictures. Getting closer lets you frame a subject, and prevents distracting backgrounds. If you are shooting a person, getting closer also allows to capture their facial expressions with greater clarity. Tiny details can be missed if the subject is far away.
Taking photos with a like-minded photographer or joining a photography group are both ideas to consider. You will gain a lot of knowledge from others, but don’t let their ways rub off onto your photographs. Compare the stylistic differences between photos you both took of the same object.
Keep your camera settings simple. Focus on learning a single aspect of your camera’s settings before moving on to the others. This way, you can concentrate on taking the shot instead of fiddling about with camera settings while your subject walks away.
If you believe the nostalgic sentiments associated with film-based photography and would like to try your hand at doing it the old-fashioned way, pick up a film camera at a second hand store. You can use ISO 200 rated black and white film to get some very dramatic looking photographs. Use different types of paper when you develop your prints, for example a fiber-based paper.
Try new things, and don’t fear trying new techniques. That’s the best way to develop your own style and allow others to see the world from your perspective. Try to stay away from taking pictures that are described as ‘classic’. Try out a creative style with your skills, and try unique angles.
Whether you want to enter photography or just improve your photo quality, learn correct composition. Like some other artistic ventures, if you do not have good composition, it is not good! Take the time to learn and implement different types of composition to improve the overall quality of your photographs.
There are great photographers you can look to for inspiration. Viewing others’ work will help you remember that capturing a moment can be done in so many different ways.
Whenever you are going somewhere new, get some ideas for taking pictures. To find great ideas and inspiration, just take a look at a rack of different post cards. Study the postcards, taking note of the subject matter and the way the photographer shot the pictures to take advantage of some specific qualities of the subject, then use these techniques when taking your own photos.
When you are going through your photographs and picking the ones that you want to show to others, be sure to pick the cream of the crop. Don’t show everyone or all of the exact same subject. It can get very boring for others to see the same thing over and over again. Keep your photo displays fresh and interesting, and show off a variety of aspects of your creative photography talents.
Use natural lighting when possible because it isn’t harsh. You will not want the glare of the sun, so choose outdoor lighting that is lower, either first thing in the morning or after the sun has dropped in the afternoons. If your subject is facing into the sun, it can distort the picture with shadows, and can also make it hard for your subject to keep a relaxed face. If you do use sunlight, position your photo so that the sun is hitting the subject from the side.
Ensure you have an extra charged battery so you do not miss the greatest photos. Modern digital cameras use a lot more power than older cameras because of their LCD screens, so don’t get caught off-guard; charge your camera’s batteries often. You could always carry a spare set of batteries with you so you can change them out, and you’ll never miss a great photo.
Do you need to take shots of some subjects that have been rained upon? Sometimes, the weather does not oblige; however, you can create your own rain by carrying around a water spray bottle with you to spray your subjects.
With a little luck, the ideas here will help you start to take better quality pictures. This series of tips was put together as a guide of features and methods to help you express yourself in your pictures.
Read your camera’s instruction manual. Manuals are usually large and bulky. In most homes, they will be tossed in a junk drawer or even thrown in the garbage. Instead of letting it gather dust, crack it open and give it a look. You will avoid simple errors and improve your skill.