Taking a step into the wondrous and creative land of photography for the very first time might feel a tad bit intimidating, but by keeping the helpful tips listed below in mind, you will soon find yourself taking photos on par with some of the best photographers in the field.
Avoid taking pictures under an overcast, cloudy sky if possible. If your photos contain too much gray sky they will appear washed-out and muted. However, if you are shooting in black and white, an overcast sky can make a beautiful photo. If the sky is blue, you should put it in your photo, but be careful of the light.
Do not make adjusting your settings too complex. Learn how to use your camera one feature at a time. Learn each one completely before moving on. This will allow you to focus on capturing the picture, instead of spending all your time fiddling with the camera while your subject simply walks away.
One of the best ways for you to learn about photography is to study examples of how to hold your camera and work your subject during photo shoots. In addition, you can talk to someone who has been in photography for a long time to gain valuable insight on your craft.
Shoot during the “golden hours,” especially if you are shooting human subjects. The time around dawn and dusk are named “golden hours” because the hue of the light makes objects look like they are glowing. This light also complements human skin, making human subjects appear to look better than they would in photos taken at other times of day.
An important photography tip to keep in mind is to always make sure there’s a clear focal point in your photograph. Without a focal point, there won’t be much there to keep the viewer’s interest. Their eyes will just wander and they’ll quickly move on to the next photograph.
Don’t rely too heavily on image-editing software. It’s a great tool to have, but if you rely on it too much, your photographs will start to look highly artificial. Try to achieve what you want before bringing it into image-editing software.
Experiment with you camera’s shutter speed settings. Make sure you understand the significance of shutter speeds. A camera comes with a variety of settings. P,M,A and S are some of those options. The letter “P” indicates program mode. This will have the shutter speed ad aperture already set. If you are less than professional, this is often the best setting.
Use a polarizing lens filter on your camera to minimize glare from direct sunlight and to create an even distribution of light. This is essential when shooting in direct sunlight, but also can be beneficial in any lighting situation. Think of polarizing lens filters as sunglasses for your camera. They are inexpensive, easy to attach and have the added benefit of protecting your expensive lenses from scratches.
If you keep your batteries charged at all times, you will not miss the picture of a lifetime. Digital cameras usually use quite a bit of battery power, usually when using LCD screens, so always make sure your battery is fully charged before using the camera. Another good suggestion is to bring along spare camera batteries so that you will never miss a photo opportunity.
Get closer when you are taking photos. Especially when you are taking a series of shots, from which you will chose the best, get in there. The better your scene fills the frame, the better the overall picture will be. Take several shots, so you can get the nicest shot possible.
If you’ve followed the article, you will feel a little more at home in the world of taking photographs. Feel confident in your ability to become a great photographer.
