Although most people think that taking a picture is just as simple as pointing and shooting, there really is an art form to it. Typically, your photos never look quite as good as you imagined they would. However, once you learn the proper techniques, it really is simple to take great pictures.
Keep the settings on your camera simple. Figure out each of your camera’s controls individually, like shutter speed or aperture, before tackling the next. This way, you can concentrate on taking the shot instead of fiddling about with camera settings while your subject walks away.
Create depth when you shoot landscapes. Put a person in the foreground to get the sense of scale of the surroundings. If you set a small aperture, one that is not greater than f/8 (for many digital cameras that are made for consumers), or f/16 (on a full-frame SLR) you will notice that your foreground and background look sharp.
A dSLR is a necessity if you’re aiming to be serious about your photography. This is a digital single-lens reflex camera, which provides the best method for seeing your subject immediately as the photo is taken. Those equipped with a full frame will inevitably provide a more comprehensive image and finer details.
Find other photographers whose work you admire, and look to them for inspiration. By taking the time to view the art created by other photographers, you will be inspired and reminded of all the different ways a subject can be shown in one single shot.
Move and look at your subject from different angles. Experiment with taking a picture above and below your subject, as well as moving off to the side.
Discrimination is a vital skill for a good photographer; when you are going to show off photos you’ve taken, present only your very best work. Don’t show all your photos, or even too many images of similar subjects. Those viewing your photos are sure to quickly bore from seeing the same subject repeatedly. Keep your photo displays fresh and interesting, and show off a variety of aspects of your creative photography talents.
Almost all digital cameras contain a built-in flash, and it will pop up automatically when dim conditions are detected. Even though these may be convenient, you may want to get an external flash with different light ranges, so that you have more control over your lighting. To attach an external flash onto your camera, make sure it has a hot shoe on top. Then take it to a camera store, so they can help you pick out a flash that lines up with your camera.
Take a tip here to enhance your photographs! When you know how the shutter speed affects your photographs, you can manipulate them to add interest to your pictures. These are labeled S, A, M an P on your camera. “P” means program mode. This setting is automatic, and it adjusts your shutter and speed for you by itself. If you don’t know what you’re shooting, use your “P” setting.
Try to hold steady when taking shots, it’ll prevent you from producing blurry photos. Even a very slight movement can cause motion blur and ruin that perfect shot. Make sure to square up your shot and hold your breath before hitting a shutter button.
Having people in your pictures can add authenticity, perspective and interest. You should always ask permission first. Pictures like these help you to find more vivid memories when you look back, even if at the time the people seemed unremarkable. It’s a great idea to focus on the unique styles and expressions visible in each individual picture.
Less is always more in photo composition. You should not add too much to your pictures, or you will run the risk that they will look cluttered. Adopting a simple, minimalistic style can help you to identify the heart of a shot.
When traveling, photograph your souvenirs as you purchase them. You can take a photo of the item in the store you bought it from, or put it in a location which will show both the beauty of the terrain and the local culture. After returning home, your pictures and your souvenirs together will help tell a more memorable, engaging story.
Read your camera’s manual. Often times a manual is very long and drawn out. The common reaction to a manual is to pitch it into a cabinet and forget it or even toss it straight in the garbage. Instead of discarding the manual, invest some time in absorbing the material it contains. There are a lot of dumb mistakes and sub-par techniques you can easily avoid if you review your camera’s manual.
Photography isn’t an arcane art that only a select few can master. Practice your shooting to gain experience, and hone your skills. One of the great benefits of digital photography is that it is very easy to sort through images you want to keep, and discard the rest. You will get better and better as time goes on, taking shots of everything and judging them later on to evaluate how you might have gotten a better photo.
Though you may want to set your camera at a low setting to store more pictures on the storage card before downloading, know that you sacrifice image quality when you do that. If you do not plan to print your pictures and will only view them on your computer, it is acceptable to shoot images in lower resolution.
When dealing with any kind of landscape subject, you need to make sure that your photos have three very important things. They include the foreground, midground, and background. These fundamentals are used for all different types of art.
When setting up a scene to be photographed, you must choose between emphasizing the subject’s highlights or shadows. Good photo software will let you take two pictures demonstrating each effect, and blend them to create the perfect balance of both.
You’ve probably been disappointed by your picture taking efforts at some point. Take some advice here to avoid having that experience again in the future. Experiment with new techniques and share your results with friends and other photographers.
Finding a type or brand of equipment that works well for you is essential if you want to develop photography as a lifetime hobby. Many professionals prefer name brands, but there are a few other manufacturers that also provide great results.