Photography can be a beautiful art form. No really, it can be. In terms of taking better photos and showing some skill in the application of various techniques to make your photos stand out, it is truly a beautiful thing. To start learning some basics as to how to make this work for you, refer to the tips below.
Make sure the background you choose complements the subject of the photo. If you take a photo of a model against a busy background, the viewer’s attention is going to be drawn to the background rather than the clothes. As a general rule, simple backgrounds with colors that contrast with those of the subject are ideal.
If you’re doing a landscape shot, try and capture some movement in the shot. Whether it’s the wind blowing the trees or a wave crashing against the shore, capturing this movement can add an extra layer of depth to the photograph. If you’re going to try and capture movement, make sure you’ve got the shutter speed set correctly.
Framing your photo is an important part of photographic composition. Zoom in on your subject and eliminate any surrounding distractions. This will help keep clutter out of your pictures, and eliminate any unwanted focal points.
Learn about composition rules. Practice and experiment with these rules to create unique pictures. For instance, organizing a picture around diagonal lines gives an impression of depth. You can also play with colors and gradual nuances to give an impression of movement to a picture. Do not follow the rules blindly, but learn when to use them.
The “S” stands for shutter speed. Use low shutter speed to get sharp pictures when capturing moving objects. Set the shutter speed to higher speeds for creating a more experimental picture. This is a cool feature to use when getting photos of fireworks or tail lights on a car. It is an easy way to get artistic features in your photos.
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.
A great photography tip is to bring your camera with you wherever you go. You never know when an awesome opportunity might present itself. If you don’t have your camera during these moments you’ll definitely regret it later. Always try to bring your camera wherever you go.
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.
Play with lens distortion. Most photographs use portrait lenses or zoom lenses to focus on an object, and use a wide-angle lens for landscapes and such. By using a lens for a different use than its intended one, you will get a very original photograph. Do not let this become your style: learn when you can use an original lens.
When you are taking a picture, your arms should be close to your sides. This will help keep the camera still and ensure that your picture turns out clear and crisp. Your non-dominant hand should also be under the camera lens to hold it steady as you snap the picture.
So, now do you see why photography is such a beautiful art form? Discovering your own abilities and improving upon them to make make and take better shots is indeed a thing of great skill. The tips above should have created a good foundation for you to build upon and find your own photographic “muse.”
