You have an appreciation for photography but you have no idea how to work a camera. This article will break down some of the basics steps of how to use a camera and how to get great looking images, no matter if you have a point and shoot camera or a dSLR.
To shoot better photographs, try to stand closer to what you are framing in your shot. Moving in closer allows you to frame your subject, and avoids disruptive backgrounds. It also allows you to focus on facial expressions, which can be important elements to any portrait photographer. Having the subject at too great a distance means missing the little details that make a great photo.
Try using different shutter speeds and remember what works for a specific situation. Depending how fast or slow you set your shutter speed, you can create a variety of effects ranging from crisply focused actions shots to softly blurred images. Using a fast shutter speed can help you catch moving objects, while the slower speed can help you get those natural scenes.
Don’t be afraid of taking pictures. If you use the wrong settings, it’s okay. Go ahead and take the picture anyway. If you want to photograph a person or pet, go up and ask if it’s okay; create a release form to sign if it makes you more comfortable. Just go do it!
If you want to take high quality portraits, do not rely on your camera’s built in flash. Instead you want to look at investing in a softbox to use for external lighting. If you can’t afford this, look into purchasing an external flash unit with a diffuser for your camera.
Make sure you have a good sense of depth when shooting landscapes. Put a person in the foreground to get the sense of scale of the surroundings. Set a small aperture, try one no greater than a f/8 if it’s a digital or f/16 with an SLR, so that your foreground and background can both be sharp.
When taking photographs, make sure that your subject is as relaxed as possible at all times. One way that you can increase relaxation is to use music in the background. This will draw your subject’s focus away from the importance of the photographs so that you can achieve the highest quality picture.
A great photography tip is to always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t shut off your creative vision when you don’t have a camera nearby. You should always be looking at things and visualizing. This is a great way to stay fresh creatively and to always be inspired.
Try to plan out all of your shots. You should plan out everything from the subject, to the angle, to the lighting in the area where you will be shooting. Taking a bit of time to plan all of this out, can lead to much better and more interesting photographs.
Take your camera with you as often as you can. You never know when a great opportunity for a photo will present itself. Keep your camera out and ready if you expect to use it – by the time you get your camera out of the bag, get the lens cap off, and adjust your settings, your shot is gone. Hang the camera around your neck. Of course, if you’re in a high-crime area, or if you don’t want it to be obvious that you are a tourist, you may need to be a bit more discreet.
In conclusion, you have a love for the art of photography but you do not know the first thing about how to take a good picture. Hopefully, you were able to follow along with the advice provided in this article so that you can take this on as a hobby and start creating your own art.
