Capturing life’s special moments, in a meaningful way, is possible for anyone who goes out of their way to learn the nuances of photography. Though anyone can purchase a camera, not every person who holds one, will truly master it. Mastering the art of photography is a process that is learned and anyone who seeks out information can become a great photographer. Follow these tips to achieve your maximum potential behind the lens of your camera.
Think about the things you want seen in your picture. Many good photos show only a carefully chosen portion of the subject, rather than the whole thing. You should avoid showing too much when taking a photograph. If you want to give a more general impression of something, take a series of pictures, rather than a single photograph with no real focus or details.
When showing off your photographs, make sure to keep your less than perfect pictures at home. You do not want people to see your sub-par work; you only want them to see your best work. Delete any pictures on your camera that you do not want anyone else to see.
Do not shoot in full daylight. You are going to get some of your best photos on an overcast day. The bright sunlight can cause overexposure, loss of detail and terrible shadows. Shoot at dusk or at dawn on days that are not cloudy for optimum results in your photos.
Pay attention to your background. Your main focus should be on your object, but you should use the background to support it. Avoid any unnecessary distractions and clean your background to report the attention on your object. Play with lines and perspective in your background to compliment the shape of your object.
Natural light will always provide you with the highest quality photos. Cloudy days are actually better for shooting than sunny ones, because the clouds act as a natural diffuser, spreading the light out and eliminating shadows and harsh contrasts. Opt for your next photo shoot outside on an overcast day.
When shooting landscapes, remember the rule of thirds which is to keep one-third or two-thirds of the image as the sky or the foreground. This will give the photo more depth and a more dramatic look. This is an easy tip for beginners to follow but will make a huge difference in the appearance of the photos.
Tripods are great pieces of photography equipment, but not everyone has one or can afford one for their shots. So, what can you do in the meantime to make sure that you have steady, sharp shots of your subject? Try leaning against something solid so that you can steady your hands and the camera.
Positioning of the subject can make the difference between a good photo and a great photo. The subject should rarely be dead center in the middle of the photo. When taking your photo, try to position the subject in the upper, or lower third of the image. This effect works best when there is a horizon in the distance.
Develop your creative vision. You can make an object from your everyday life look interesting if you know how to adopt a point of view that differs from what everyone sees. You can use your imagination to show usual objects in original settings or outside of their everyday use. Look at the world with a different point of view.
Now that you have been enlightened by these simple photographic tips, grab your camera and get out there. That “magic moment” is just a click away, and the world won’t stop spinning. So let your imagination run free, then capture the results for posterity. Only you can tell the photographic story that unfolds from your own unique point of view.
