So you’re thinking of taking some great pictures! As you can see, it is a very big world complete with all kinds of techniques. Photography is very subjective which can seem overwhelming to a new photographer. Continue on for some helpful suggestions to get you started.
Get as close to your subject as you need to. Doing this lets you get your subject in frame, and prevents any interference from the background. It can also give you a better grasp of how to capture the emotions and expressions that define a great portrait. If your subject is positioned too far away, it becomes more difficult to capture the minor details.
Choose the subject of your photo. Imagine your camera is a tiny window focused in on just one component of your subject. Do not try showing too much. You may need to make a collage of photographs in order to convey the general impression of your subject, rather than using a single generic shot.
Try out all the different shutter speeds and experiment in various scenarios so you have an idea what works best. You can get some awesome photos at the drop of a hat and this will allow you to blur some time periods together. Using a fast shutter speed can help you catch moving objects, while the slower speed can help you get those natural scenes.
Gray Sky
Try not to capture a gray sky in your pictures. Having too much gray sky can make your shots appear washed-out and muted. If you cannot avoid capturing an overcast sky in your shot, opt for black and white rather than color photos. Blue skies look magnificent in photographs; however, you will still need to take light into consideration.
Don’t be afraid to break some photography rules with your camera. A great picture should show the world a unique point of view, and exhibit unmistakable personal style. Stay away from taking the same type of picture that you have viewed a million times over. Using your creative skills, try using some fresh angles.
Always highlight your very best images for showcases and displays. Don’t show too many photos and vary the subject matter. It is very tedious to see this type of repetition. Keep things unique by trying out different types of shots.
Blur the background when shooting photos of people. When the background is fully focused, the viewer will have trouble determining just what the focus of the picture was supposed to be. Blur your background to keep it from detracting from your central subject.
If you are traveling with your photography equipment, make sure it is stored properly. Bring all lenses that you think you will possibly use, plus a few extra batteries and cleaning tools. Don’t take 50 lenses when five will do, as this could bog you down when trying to carry your camera equipment from place to place.
You will have a better picture if your subject is off-center a little. Pre-focus your camera, and move a little to one side. Having the subject centered in-frame is quite common; such photos are at a disadvantage when it comes to being memorable. Shooting a photo that is not exactly centered on the subject may produce more interesting results for your viewers.
Play with the concepts of scale, expressions, and perspective in your photographs. You can make any object look interesting by placing it in an unusual context. Putting an object somewhere creative can help something familiar look very unique.
To help a wedding album convey the personal atmosphere, take some close-ups of small items belonging to the bride or groom, or details of decorations. You can take these photos before the ceremony begins as a warming up exercise. You might also snap some amazing shots in the process.
If you plan on diving into landscape photography, you need to ensure that your pictures have three key factors. The foreground is closest and sharpest in focus, the middle ground less so, and the background is remote, giving a sense of distance. Not only are these important for photography purposes, but most types of art.
Read your camera’s instruction manual. Manuals are often thick and bulky. The common reaction to a manual is to pitch it into a cabinet and forget it or even toss it straight in the garbage. Actually spend some time reading your manual instead of tossing it. You will find a lot of information that can improve your picture taking and stop silly mistakes from happening.
Filters work as extensions of your lenses. They attach directly to the lens and can be used for a variety of reasons. The most frequently used camera filter is a UV filter. It keeps harmful direct sunlight off of your lens. It also protects your lens against physical damage if you accidentally drop your camera.
There are quite a few good tools and methods that you can use to improve your photography results. Photography can be for everyone, however, the techniques and styles vary from person to person. The advice above was meant to give you a few techniques and tips to help you develop a few building blocks in your quest to take better photos.