Welcome to the art of photography! As you have probably witnessed, this world is an extremely large one with all types of strategies for it. You might be feeling overwhelmed by the wide range of photographic techniques to choose from, especially since so many photographic principles seem to be matters of personal preference. Here are some suggestions to help almost every photographer.
Shutter Speeds
Try different shutter speeds on the same scene to see which one gives the best results. You can either capture a precise moment or use a higher exposure to blur together a period of time. Fast shutter speeds allow you to capture moving objects while slow shutter speeds are ideal for shooting calm, tranquil scenery.
Good photographs are those that are kept simple. You can frequently take an outstanding photograph without making any adjustments for color, light, motion or any other technical elements.
When selecting photographs to place on display or show to an audience, limit your choices to your very best images. Keep things fresh and not repetitive. Just because you took a photo does not mean you have to show it. You photos will not be interesting and hold your viewers attention if you do not mix things up and photograph different subject matter. Change things up, and show variety in your photography.
Often, photographers only take into account the background in a landscape photo and forget about the foreground. The foreground will be the most viewed area once the photo comes out. Great foregrounds help to show depth in a photograph and can really make for a beautiful shot.
When you are snapping pictures of people, you can blur the background a bit to get the best effect. When the background is fully focused, the viewer will have trouble determining just what the focus of the picture was supposed to be. An easy way to do this is to make your background is further from your subject.
Moving around gives you an opportunity to frame the perfect shot. If possible, take a spectrum of shots from many angles including from above and below.
The majority of digital cameras now come with a feature that automatically uses the flash whenever the area you are photographing is too dim. This is good for random, candid shots, but if you want a professional look, invest in a flash that is external and offers more lighting. For this option to work, verify that your camera carries a “hot shoe” for accommodating the flash unit. A professional camera shop can help you find the right unit that will sync to your camera.
Experiment with perspectives, scale, and expressions in your photographs. Any simple subject can be transformed into something artistic when it is used in a funny, unique way, or made to look much smaller or much bigger than it is. Work on your compositions to get a unique take on a familiar object.
As you continue to explore photography, you will find more and more techniques to improve your picture taking skills. Some ways will work well in the hands of some, while not at all in the hands of others. The tips included in this article are a great way to get started taking memorable photographs.
