Photography can be a little difficult to understand. A lot of times, this is due to the fact that they don’t know who to get good photography advice from. Read on to pick up some insider tricks for taking photographs, some of which you might not have even suspected were possible.
Use a tripod for maximum camera stability. For random shots of your kids or buildings, a bit of camera shake isn’t a big deal, but for once-in-a-lifetime shots that really matter, a bit of camera shake can ruin a perfect memory. If a tripod is not available, try setting the camera on a flat surface.
Use the simpler features of your camera settings. Focus on learning a single aspect of your camera’s settings before moving on to the others. The picture you want to take may no longer be there if you take too much time worrying over settings before you shoot; the scene may have changed or the person has gone away.
When shooting landscape pictures, cultivate depth in your shots. Have a person or an object in the foreground to provide an idea of scale for your image. You can get decent focus on both foreground and background objects by using a small aperture setting: Something under f/8 with a standard digital camera or f/16 when using a full-frame SLR.
When you are taking landscape photos, consider the sky. If the sky is rather bland and boring, do not let it dominate the photo. If the sky is lit up with wonderful colors (especially during sunrise, sunset or a storm) it is okay to let the sky dominate the photo.
A great photography tip is to keep your sensor as clean as possible. If your sensor is dirty, you’re going to end up with a dirty picture. Having a clean sensor can save you a lot of time by not having to clean up a photo in an image editing program.
Try not to be too mechanical with your shots. Sometimes it is better to get an eclectic angle than to shoot various run of the mill photos. Also, try to implement the scenery into your photos as often as possible if you want to capture a more personal and unique depiction.
Know your camera. If you have recently purchased new equipment, or if you have had yours for a while, but never taken the time to know it’s ins and outs, then do so. Read the manual, or play with the functions extensively until you understand it. Knowing what your camera can do will give you better pictures as you can adjust to changing light and circumstances.
When traveling, take a picture of the knick-knacks and souvenirs you buy. 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. Photographs showing you with your souvenir, or the place you purchased it, can place the objects in the context of your travels and remind you of the moment you made the purchase.
Be ready to take a picture at all times. This does not mean you should have your camera in hand, this means you should be in the proper state of mind all the time. Look at the world as if you were seeing it through your camera. When you see something interesting, take a picture.
Some novice photographers have difficulty understanding photography and its many uses. However, learning more about photography can really help to enhance your images and make the hobby more enjoyable. Now that you know the ins and outs of photography, get out there and start shooting great pictures!
