There’s a lot you can learn when it comes to photography, and you could spend years learning the craft. However, just knowing a few key tips can mean taking great shots with your camera. This article contains some sound advice on how you can start taking shots you are proud of.
When taking a photograph, take one shot, then move in closer to the desired subject and take a second shot. You want the subject of the photograph to be the majority of the frame. Taking the second shot ensures that you get the better shot from one of the two, whether you were close enough initially or not.
Snap pictures with a sense of urgency. If you take a long time to snap the shot, you might miss it. It will change the look of the photograph. The quicker you and your camera are, the better shots you will get.
Play with the shutter speed setting to get shots of both slow and fast-moving subjects. Slow shutter speeds are great for objects that move very slowly, such as streams. Fast shutter speeds, on the other hand, allow you to get a clear shot of a subject that is moving very quickly, such as a race car.
Pay attention to your light. The lighting in a photograph can bring a subject into better focus or change the mood of the picture. Different lighting setups will result in very different photographs. Avoid harsh direct lighting on your subject’s face, as this will generally cause them to squint.
If you can’t use a tripod while taking photos for some reason, you should always brace your upper body on a solid surface. Hold your breath if you can while taking the shot. This will minimize shake during the exposure, resulting in clearer pictures. A tripod is always best, however.
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.
A great photography tip is to talk to as many photographers as you can to learn their tricks. Learning on your own is an excellent path, but it’s always helpful to hear about what other photographers are doing. You might learn subtle tricks that can really improve your photographs.
Make use of the instant feedback you get from a digital camera. The screen on your digital camera can show you the basics of how your photo came out the instant you snap the shot. Learn from your mistakes and take another shot, there’s no need to wait for your prints anymore.
It is important to find the perfect combination between ISO, aperture and shutter speed. All of these features will work to determine the exposure for your picture. Unless you are shooting for an artsy, atmospheric result, try to avoid under- or over-exposed photos. Experiment with these features to find out how they interact with each other and what kind of combination you like to use.
Consider your photo angles before you shoot. Look through your cameras view finder to see how the background and foreground interact. Check for odd shapes, or things that will detract from what you were thinking when you decided to take the shot. Taking a second to compose your craft will improve your pictures.
Like any science or art form, photography is something you could study and read about for a good portion of your life. Or, you could just apply what you have read in this article and improve your photography immediately. Keep these tips in mind the next time your camera is in your hands and you’ll see better images quickly.
