Although taking photographs is always getting more popular, many people still wonder whether they should, or even could, learn advanced photographic skills. You can learn a lot about photography from books and online sources, but the best way to learn is by experimentation. Here are some things you can use to become more knowledgeable about this subject.
Use the simpler features of your camera settings. You should learn to use one camera setting at a time. If you focus on features too much, you will miss some great natural pictures. Sometimes, snapping the picture right away is the best decision.
Use speed when capturing your pictures. If you wait, the subject may move or something may move in to block your view. The more rapidly you can photograph your subject, the more likely you are to get your desired shot.
Truly unique pictures are often the result of trying new ideas and experimenting. Good photography takes unique style, and you want to show the world a new view through your lens. Create unique photos that people have not seen many times before. Try out a creative style with your skills, and try unique angles.
Play around with shutter speeds to find out what kind of effects you can achieve. You can capture both a fleeting image or a long time-lapse photograph. Traditionally, fast shutter speed is used for motion while a slower speed is used for still scenes.
A dSLR is a must have if you are seriously pursuing photography. This type of digital camera will give you the most accurate view of your subject as you snap the picture. Those equipped with a full frame will inevitably provide a more comprehensive image and finer details.
Keep the knowledge of the settings on your camera simple. Learn to master one portion of the control, such as aperture or shutter speed, before you worry about the next. This allows you to just focus on taking photos instead of messing with the camera functions so long that you miss out on the picture.
Framing your photo is an important part of photographic composition. Zoom in on the focal point; this will help to take attention away from distractions in the surrounding area. This allows for a simple, effective shot that contains only a single focal point.
If you’re taking pictures of landscapes, you will want to create depth and perspective for the viewer. Put a person in the foreground to get the sense of scale of the surroundings. Choosing an aperture that is small — no larger than f/8 on a consumer level digital camera or f/16 on an SLR using a full-frame sensor — will keep everything from the background to the foreground sharp.
When you have to make a choice on what photos you want to show off, pick the best ones! Resist any temptation to show all of your photos or to display many pictures of similar subjects or settings. This will bore people and it is not a good way to showcase your photography skills. Keep it fresh by showing different facets of your photography.
Get into the habit of adjusting the white balance on your camera. Indoor lighting will often be tainted with yellow tints from bulbs and flourescent fixtures. You don’t need to worry about adjusting the lighting in the room. Simply change the white balance setting to get the perfect shot. You will see your photos come out much more professionally.
Another handy photography tip involves the camera’s shutter. Learn as much as you can about the speeds your shutter has. Your camera has settings labeled A,M,P, and S. Program mode is indicated by the “P”. This setting is automatic, which means you don’t have to worry about setting the shutter or aperture speed yourself. Select the “P” mode when you’re not really sure what you’ll be shooting.
One way to make the subjects of your picture pop out is to have a background that is not as well defined. A sharply focused background pulls attention from your subject, and that is not ideal. You want your viewer’s eye to fall on the intended subject. Make sure there is a distance between the subject and the background to get this effect.
One of the key ways to take great photographs is to take lots and lots of them, so buy a large memory card that can hold them all. Optimizing your storage capacity will ensure that you do not waste time changing memory cards or choosing shots to delete during a session. If you use a big memory card, you will be able to shoot using the RAW format. Using the RAW format will give you more flexibility when you are editing your photos.
Explore your camera’s built-in features, or experiment with odd angles and color palettes. The subject of your photos can be very ordinary, yet will create an interesting picture. Great photographs can be made by taking a picture of something that isn’t usually interesting and making it interesting. Experiment as much as you can, and find your own style.
When traveling, take a picture of the knick-knacks and souvenirs you buy. You could take a picture of the store where you bought something or simply photograph the object with an original background. You will always remember where the souvenirs you bought came from and you will have great stories to tell when showing them.
Most importantly, photography should be fun. Taking photographs should allow you to capture the essence of a memorable event in your life, or perhaps just to snap a glimpse of everyday life. Have a good time while you take your shots and you’ll find that the joy you feel comes through in the pictures you take.
Get close to the subject of your photograph. A subject too far in the distance loses too much detail for the shot to be very good. Make seeing your subject with clarity easier for both you and the viewers of the picture.
If you like the old style that is associated with using a camera that uses film then you should pick one up from a secondhand store and see how you like it. Use black and white film with a 200 ISO for a dramatic effect that can work in many situations. When getting your film developed, look into having your photographs printed on fiber-based, or other types of photo paper that are available.
The built-in flash on a digital camera is usually set to activate automatically when it senses dim light. This is wonderful for taking a quick photo, though if you want your pictures to look more professional, try investing in a type of external flash unit that will give you a broad range of light. 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.
When you are taking photos, a good rule of thumb is the idea of less is more. A photo does not need to be overly cluttered. Simplicity is the way to go, so keep the shots as simple as possible.
Shutter speed, ISO and aperture are important aspects of any great photo. It’s important to find the combination of these. The picture exposure is dictate by these three items. Unless you’re trying for a particular effect, you probably want to avoid taking shots that are over- or under-exposed. Play around with these three settings to see how they work together and which combination will create the most interesting shot.
If you are photographing couples or groups, help them to get better photographs by advising them on their outfits in advance. The resulting photos will be greatly enhanced if clothing is kept within the same general scheme of colors and shades. Consider suggesting warmer colors or those that are neutral so everyone’s clothing blends well with an environment with a natural look and feel. If your subjects want to wear bright colors, suggest that they also include some black pieces so their attire is not too overwhelming.
People usually just look right into the camera. For some unique pictures, try to have your subject look off the camera, have them focus on something outside the field of view of the camera. You might also direct the subject to focus on an object or person within the frame.
Most cameras only allow you to focus on either highlights or shadows in one picture. However, you can have two pictures taken of the subject exposing one of each, and you can use a program like Photoshop to blend them into a perfect shot.
Don’t hesitate when taking photos; however, squeeze the trigger, don’t jerk it. You never know how fast that perfect moment will leave you, so be ready to capture at any moment. Animals will run, people will blink and little kids might start making funny faces while you are trying to get the ultimate shot. Don’t spend all your time fiddling with settings while letting the opportunity for the shot slip away.
Vary the angle at which you take shots to increase their artistic value. Taking a straight, head-on photo of a subject can be effective, but the alternatives available are nearly endless. Attempt to gain different perspectives by getting over or below your subject. You could also consider taking sideways or diagonal shots to make them more interesting.
In most situations, you need to make a choice between setting your exposure to favor the highlights of a picture or its shadows. However, you can have two pictures taken of the subject exposing one of each, and you can use a program like Photoshop to blend them into a perfect shot.
Red Eye
A filter is nothing more than a physical extension of the lenses you use. You attach filters directly to your lenses and you can use them for many different purposes. The most commonly used filter is a UV filter. It keeps harmful direct sunlight off of your lens. It may also protect the lens from scratches or scuffs caused by dropping the camera.
Red eye is a minor detail but it can really ruin an otherwise noteworthy picture. Red eye can be prevented by completely avoiding flash when possible. If you must use flash, you should inform the person not to look straight at the lens. There are also cameras out there that have a feature that eliminates red eye.
Finding photographic equipment that both works well and is enjoyable for you to use is important. While most professional photographers will use the name brand equipment, there are some others that provide good results as well.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you pick up your camera. You will only benefit from what you have just learned if you implement these tips into your photography.
Red eye is a minor detail but it can really ruin an otherwise noteworthy picture. Avoid red-eye by using the flash as little as possible. If you must use a flash, direct your subject to avoid looking into the lens. Many modern cameras have red eye correction built in.