In order to start taking great photos, you need to learn the basics. Very simple mistakes can ruin a photo or an entire shoot. Learning to avoid them will help you catch that perfect shot.
Avoid capturing an overcast sky in your photos. Including too much of a gray sky will make your pictures appear muted and washed-out. If you find yourself shooting into overcast skies, taking classic, black and white photos may be your best option. You should include the sky in your pictures if it is a clear day and if the light is not too bright.
Experiment with the white balance feature. When you take interior shots, the light bulbs can cause a yellowish hue. Instead of spending the time to fix the lighting, you can just change the white balance from your camera. This will instantly change a so-so photo into a professional-looking shot.
Here’s a great photography tip! Learn as much as you can about the speeds your shutter has. Your camera has settings labeled A,M,P, and S. Using the “P” setting will put your camera into program mode. This will have the shutter speed ad aperture already set. If you do not know what you will be taking a picture of, have the “P” setting on.
When preparing for a trip, pack your equipment carefully. Take cleaning equipment and back-up batteries, as well as all the lenses you expect to make use of. Never take more stuff than you need on any particular photography trip.
When you take photographs, write a couple of notes about them. It can be tough to link a picture to the particular situation and feeling you had when you took it, especially when it is one of hundreds. Keep a notepad handy and write down which number your photo is and a description.
Pre-focus your camera before moving slightly, so your subject isn’t centered in the frame. Centering is generally expected and not that interesting in a photo. Off-centering your photos makes them more interesting to those viewing them.
Do your best to make your models feel at ease, especially if you do not know them. Many people have an instinctive negative reaction to someone taking their picture. Be friendly, strike up a conversation and ask permission to take pictures. You need to make your subjects see photography as art as opposed to a violation of their privacy.
Hopefully you have realized that becoming a better photographer is not as hard as it seems. As long as you’re willing to practice, research, and work to improve, you’ll get better. All of that will pay off in the end as you see great photos you’ve taken.
