Many people take pictures. However, most do not know the proper techniques needed to go from just taking pictures to making stunning photographs. Becoming a great photographer just involves learning a bit of information and then applying it when you’re taking those special shots. The tips presented below can be integrated into your fund of photographic know-how.
Try different digital techniques to come up with wonderful photographs that look like watercolors, oil paintings, and graphic pencil sketches. Adobe Photoshop is widely considered the industry standard for digital images, but there are numerous other companies with adequate programs. You will be able to instantly convert the photo into artistic portraits with the simple click of the filter button and choosing the medium that you prefer.
Capture the smaller things when traveling with your camera. It is imperative to chronicle many aspects of your trip so that you can look back and reflect when you come home. Take a picture of the bus you took or the hotel lobby. Take pictures of the outside of a theater or your goofy doorman.
Choose what will be in your shot. A good picture should be like a small window showing a certain aspect of your subject. Don’t focus on too many different things. If you are trying to capture an impression, take a couple of photographs instead of just one singe picture that has no detail or focus.
When traveling, take a picture of the knick-knacks and souvenirs you buy. Make separate photo albums for each trip you have photographed. These pictures can be placed in an album to create the story of your trip, with memories to treasure in future years.
When you are photographing nature, steer clear of taking photos that include a sky that is overcast. If you have too much gray sky in your photograph, it will create a washed-out appearance in the image. However, if you are shooting in black and white, an overcast sky can make a beautiful photo. If the sky outside is a beautiful blue, include it in your photos but watch the light.
As you take photographs, also take notes. When you look back at your pictures, you might have a hard time remembering where you took them. Get a small notepad and make sure you write down the number of the picture next to your description.
Your arms should be positioned near your body when you use a camera. Also, make sure you support the camera from the bottom and the sides. The idea here is to reduce the shaking caused by normal movements. The end result should be clearer photos. Putting your hands beneath the lens and camera, instead of having them on top, prevents you from dropping your camera accidentally.
You need not stand directly in front of an object to photograph it. Take your photos from all different angles to get different effects.
If your batteries are fully charged, you never risk missing the perfect shot. When you use the LCD on your camera or the flash, your camera drains power quickly. If not fully charged, you may miss out on some great shots. You will want to carry extra camera batteries with to be prepared for any shot.
Pre-focus your camera and move to where your subject isn’t dead center in the frame. Centering a subject is extremely common, especially among amateurs, and tends to make for a very uninteresting photograph. Try to off-center your shots so that they are more enticing to the viewers.
Shoot photos of a wide range of individuals. Do not take photographs of people without their consent. The pictures can become great memories of the places you’ve been or people you’ve seen. They will make excellent companions during a travel and can transport you to a unique moment preserved in time. Look for candid expression and casual clothing.
Shutter speed, ISO and aperture are important aspects of any great photo. It’s important to find the combination of these. It is those three elements which make up the exposure of the shot. Unless you are seeking a certain mood, try not to take under- or over-exposed photos. Try experimenting with these features, and see how they interact together and what combinations you like.
It is important to combine your ISO, aperture, and correct shutter speed. These are the elements that determine exposure when you are photographing subjects. Both overexposed and underexposed pictures should always be avoided, unless you are going for that particular effect. With a little experimentation, you can strike the right balance between the 3 settings to deliver the results you want.
When you are taking photos, remember that sometimes less is more. A photo does not need to be overly cluttered. Simple is elegant and artistic.
Find someone to take pictures with you or join a club. While other photographers can provide you with valuable information and advice, be careful not to begin imitating their personal styles in your own photography. Looking at shot comparisons can show the different points of view found in photography.
Play with the notion of scale, perspectives and expressions. Simple objects take on whole new looks when photographed in a non-typical setting, or when placed in a silly or unusual situation. To get a new view of a familiar object, work on the compositions.
There is an erroneous emphasis on placing your subject in the center of your photograph. Though the pursuit of perfection maybe a noble one, it is not needed in the realm of photography. Capture a more interesting picture by having your subject be off to the side of the frame. Turn off any auto-focus mechanism that wants to lock your subject into the middle of the lens. Use manual focus and then lock prior to clicking your photo.
You can use small items to set the scene when you are photographing a wedding. You could select a close-up of the bouquets waiting on the table for an example. It also allows you to catch a few hidden gems of details that might be overlooked when the event is finally underway.
Have some fun experimenting with different expressions, perspectives and scales. You can make an object appear bigger or smaller depending on where you place it, or try using it in a funny situation to express a more artistic photograph. Putting an object somewhere creative can help something familiar look very unique.
Many times the subject looks directly into the camera. Shake things up a bit by having your subject look away from the lens and focus on something in the distance. Another idea is to tell your subject to concentrate on something or someone in the frame of the shot, without looking directly at the camera.
If you’re just becoming accustomed to photographing a new type of subject or background, make sure you spend some time taking practice shots. Test out many shots your environment, and find what works in varying situations. In hectic environments, the lighting can change from second to second, so don’t feel the need to count every shot as a “real” shot.
Lower Resolution
Unless you learn to properly use your camera’s ISO functions, you may be ruining your shots. The more the ISO is the higher you can view, that means all aspects of the photo. If your shot needs the grain it is fine; if not, it could be devastating.
You may want to set your camera to take lower resolution pictures so that you can fit more images onto one memory card, but realize that you are sacrificing some quality in the process. 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.
Use different shutter speeds for more creativity. Although the quickest shutter speeds are used to freeze a moment in time, consider what is possible with slower shutter speeds, such as 1/30. See that cyclist speeding by? If implemented correctly, you can end up with an image where the backdrop is blurred while the cyclist remains in focus, indicating the speed at which he propelled himself.
Your photos should be edited by you. There are a number of different types of photo editing programs out there. Seek out the programs that have multiple tools for editing the images that you already have in your portfolio. You should also narrow your selection to those that look easy to use.
Use a tripod for great landscape shots. Using a steady base under the camera can be great for landscapes, since you can adjust the settings without worrying about the camera shaking.
Almost any subject can be made more interesting if you change your camera’s settings, or take the picture from a new angle. Experiment with all of these things before going out to take your pictures.
Before you jump in and start snapping away, try to envision a concept for your shot. Take some time to write ideas and notes that you could use for shooting better photos. Like art, photography is best expressed in the details. When you take the time to plan out your photo, it shows. You will be inspired and see much better results, if you take this approach.
When photographing fast-moving targets, such as a runner or race car, set your camera to freeze the subject’s motion, rather than just recording a bunch of blurs. Increase your shutter speed to get better shots. You will also have clearer shots of quick subjects.
Take your time and pose your subject. Candid photos, like from family events, never turn out as good as posed pictures. This increases the odds that more of your subjects will look good in your photographs.
Take some great photographs after posing the subjects properly. If you find your family photos aren’t turning out very well, it could be because you have too many candid shots. Posing your subject will increase the likelihood you get the shot you want.
Remember that images do not always have to be taken with your camera in a horizontal position. Many of the best photos are taken vertically. Use your zoom feature to capture your object correctly.
Squat, kneel, or bend down so that your camera is level with the child’s eyes. This allows you to get the child’s whole face into the photograph. This technique will assure you take much better photos of children than if you try to take a photo while looking down at them.
If you plan to shoot images in dimly lit settings, increase the shutter speed on your camera. You will not get a blurry photo by doing so. Instead, opt for a shutter speed between 1/200th or 1/250th of a second.
Digital Zoom
Leaning how to properly expose your photos is key to great looking photographs. If you learn to use your camera’s histogram, you can avoid this mistake. A histogram displays the amount of exposure in a shot, which makes it easier for you to make the necessary adjustments to create the desired effect.
Make sure you aren’t using digital zoom instead of optical zoom in your close-up pictures. Most cameras will allow you to continue zooming in closer and closer on your subject, but the image quality is always compromised when it switches from optical to digital mode zoom. Digital zoom mode interpolates the pixels of the shot and adds them into the photograph, which lowers the quality of the picture. Read the manual of your camera to see if you can disable the digital zoom feature.
Pay attention to the white balance feature of your camera. The color of light in your photos will affect their outcome. Each type of light casts a specific color according to its temperature. For example, fluorescent light can cast a bluish tinge on photos while incandescent light can make a photo appear yellow. In order for the color in your photos to appear natural, you must use the proper white balance setting.
Try cropping your photographs to make them look more appealing. Sometimes you think your picture is great – except that sock in the background. Other times, you may have the perfect image but you did not line it up right and the result is off center. You can always use a photo editing program to adjust the image later.
You should think about using a flash when you are taking photos outdoors. Unwanted shadows can be created by the sun, particularly facial shadows. If your camera contains a setting for fill flash, you should set the camera to this setting. This will penetrate the face’s deep folds.
When you’re just beginning to take photographs, an important aspect you should be aware of is how the color of light, also known as white balance, affects your pictures. Each type of light casts a specific color according to its temperature. For example, fluorescent light can cast a bluish tinge on photos while incandescent light can make a photo appear yellow. In order for the color in your photos to appear natural, you must use the proper white balance setting.
If you are ever somewhere without a camera and see a possible composition, note down the location and time. Then, you can return when the right equipment and get the shot. Make a habit of keeping a notepad on your person so that you can record and revisit promising photographic sites.
Since you have now read the helpful tips in this article, you are ready to begin implementing what you have learned. But only practice will develop your skills and bring you this success.
Taking the necessary time to educate yourself on the basics is worth it, regardless of whether you are a novice photographer or have just invested money in an SLR camera. ISO, composition, lighting, exposure, aperture, and shutter speed will all be important terms to understand to get the most out of your photos.