Have you ever looked at someone else's photographs and thought, "I can't take pictures like that.", even though you may even have a better camera? The truth is that most of the time it's not the camera, but how it's used that makes for a terrific picture. By learning about your camera and practicing basic photography techniques, you can greatly enhance your digital photography in a short amount of time. The following pointers will help you see noticeable improvement in your photos.
Learn how your camera works.
Even though most cameras come with a "Point and Shoot" or "Auto" setting, by relying on this for all of your shots, you are badly restricting your chances of taking excellent photos. Almost all cameras have many modes, and by taking a moment to evaluate the conditions of the shot and choosing the correct mode, youll find your photographs will be much improved. Modes most often found are: "Portrait" when taking pictures of people or close objects, use this setting if you would like to have the subject clear and the background (if it's distant) slightly indistinct; "Action" for quickly moving objects, or in a low-light situation and prefer not to use the flash, choose this setting to have the camera select a fast shutter speed, which will freeze a moving object; "Scenery" this mode selects settings for distance shots; "Nighttime" choose this for low-light situations if you have a tripod, as the shutter speed will be slow and motion will be blurred; "Macro" excellent for extreme close-ups, great for photographing nature, such as insects or flowers. If you use the correct mode, the camera works with you to depict your subject in the most excellent way possible. It may be that you have manual settings available on your camera, but the use of these is not covered in this article, as they require more advanced technique.
Pay attention to the elements in your picture.
Generally, when shooting a picture, people look only at the subject in the middle and then are astonished when they view the picture and see a telephone pole coming out of their mother's hat! Radically improve the quality of your photographs simply by imagining what the camera is seeing - the whole shot. Notice some ugly wires across the top, any busy or distracting background, and if so, take steps to alter the shot to do away with these problem areas. When taking shots of people, try to have them fill most of the shot. Faces make appealing photos, much more so than whole bodies, for the most part. Chose what the point of the picture is, and then take the shot with that in mind. A little care in the setting up phase will be well rewarded.
Be aware of your camera angle.
In some movies, youll often find that when an evil character is filmed, the camera points up at him, which distorts the subject and makes him look ominous. When taking still photographs, it is also true that angling your shot will create a distortion, creating a point of view, often not one you meant. Be certain that you are even with your subject unless you desire to create a precise effect. Photos of children and animals are often dramatically improved by adjusting camera level. When you become level with them, you correct the usual distortion that occurs when taking the shot from above. For pets and babies, lying on the floor can help to take better photos.
Use natural lighting whenever you possibly can.
Use of flash, in particular the typical camera-mounted flash, lends itself to issues for your photos, like unforgiving shadows, color loss, red-eye, and over- and under-exposure. Sometimes you absolutely have to use a flash, as at an indoor event where everyone is moving about, but overall you will get a better outcome by using existing light, including indoor lamps. You can take eye-catching indoor portraits by surrounding your subject with lamps, being sure to illuminate one side of your subject more brightly than the other, creating soft, attractive shadows. Try different lighting - you'll be amazed at the beauty of shots taken like this.
Hold your camera steady.
Even though this point is fairly obvious, it is good to be reminded of it. When the camera moves around while shooting, the resulting photo will be blurry. Don't push the shutter button - squeeze it gently. When taking shots in low light, be sure to use a tripod or find some other way to support the camera.
Shoot tons of pictures.
With the advent of the digital camera, being miserly with your picture-taking doesnt make any sense. You have no film, no processing, and you only print what you like, so go to town and take loads of tries. Professional photographers take many shots of each scene, aware that each one is slightly different, and taking more improves the chance of an excellent shot. Experiment with lighting, angles and composition. If youre taking moving subjects, you should use the "Burst" setting if your camera has one, to take many pictures in quick succession. At the end of the day, you'll find you have many more "keepers".
Take batteries and an extra memory card with you.
There's nothing worse than getting ready to take the most important shot of the day, and finding that your battery has just died. Act like the pros and be prepared. Have an extra charged battery, or a new pack if your camera uses alkaline batteries, and take a spare unused memory card. Someday you'll be glad you did.
The difference between a snapshot taker and a photographer isnt due as much to the camera, but in how the camera is used. Practice the basics laid out here, and you will be using the techniques of professional photographers - knowing how your camera works and choosing settings for the proper circumstances, carefully designing the shot, taking notice of your camera angle, using flash cautiously and with care, correctly supporting the camera, taking loads of pictures, and being properly equipped.
So, spend a little time getting to know your camera, and get out and take pictures. Soon you will be shooting photographs that you can proudly treasure always.
Learn how your camera works.
Even though most cameras come with a "Point and Shoot" or "Auto" setting, by relying on this for all of your shots, you are badly restricting your chances of taking excellent photos. Almost all cameras have many modes, and by taking a moment to evaluate the conditions of the shot and choosing the correct mode, youll find your photographs will be much improved. Modes most often found are: "Portrait" when taking pictures of people or close objects, use this setting if you would like to have the subject clear and the background (if it's distant) slightly indistinct; "Action" for quickly moving objects, or in a low-light situation and prefer not to use the flash, choose this setting to have the camera select a fast shutter speed, which will freeze a moving object; "Scenery" this mode selects settings for distance shots; "Nighttime" choose this for low-light situations if you have a tripod, as the shutter speed will be slow and motion will be blurred; "Macro" excellent for extreme close-ups, great for photographing nature, such as insects or flowers. If you use the correct mode, the camera works with you to depict your subject in the most excellent way possible. It may be that you have manual settings available on your camera, but the use of these is not covered in this article, as they require more advanced technique.
Pay attention to the elements in your picture.
Generally, when shooting a picture, people look only at the subject in the middle and then are astonished when they view the picture and see a telephone pole coming out of their mother's hat! Radically improve the quality of your photographs simply by imagining what the camera is seeing - the whole shot. Notice some ugly wires across the top, any busy or distracting background, and if so, take steps to alter the shot to do away with these problem areas. When taking shots of people, try to have them fill most of the shot. Faces make appealing photos, much more so than whole bodies, for the most part. Chose what the point of the picture is, and then take the shot with that in mind. A little care in the setting up phase will be well rewarded.
Be aware of your camera angle.
In some movies, youll often find that when an evil character is filmed, the camera points up at him, which distorts the subject and makes him look ominous. When taking still photographs, it is also true that angling your shot will create a distortion, creating a point of view, often not one you meant. Be certain that you are even with your subject unless you desire to create a precise effect. Photos of children and animals are often dramatically improved by adjusting camera level. When you become level with them, you correct the usual distortion that occurs when taking the shot from above. For pets and babies, lying on the floor can help to take better photos.
Use natural lighting whenever you possibly can.
Use of flash, in particular the typical camera-mounted flash, lends itself to issues for your photos, like unforgiving shadows, color loss, red-eye, and over- and under-exposure. Sometimes you absolutely have to use a flash, as at an indoor event where everyone is moving about, but overall you will get a better outcome by using existing light, including indoor lamps. You can take eye-catching indoor portraits by surrounding your subject with lamps, being sure to illuminate one side of your subject more brightly than the other, creating soft, attractive shadows. Try different lighting - you'll be amazed at the beauty of shots taken like this.
Hold your camera steady.
Even though this point is fairly obvious, it is good to be reminded of it. When the camera moves around while shooting, the resulting photo will be blurry. Don't push the shutter button - squeeze it gently. When taking shots in low light, be sure to use a tripod or find some other way to support the camera.
Shoot tons of pictures.
With the advent of the digital camera, being miserly with your picture-taking doesnt make any sense. You have no film, no processing, and you only print what you like, so go to town and take loads of tries. Professional photographers take many shots of each scene, aware that each one is slightly different, and taking more improves the chance of an excellent shot. Experiment with lighting, angles and composition. If youre taking moving subjects, you should use the "Burst" setting if your camera has one, to take many pictures in quick succession. At the end of the day, you'll find you have many more "keepers".
Take batteries and an extra memory card with you.
There's nothing worse than getting ready to take the most important shot of the day, and finding that your battery has just died. Act like the pros and be prepared. Have an extra charged battery, or a new pack if your camera uses alkaline batteries, and take a spare unused memory card. Someday you'll be glad you did.
The difference between a snapshot taker and a photographer isnt due as much to the camera, but in how the camera is used. Practice the basics laid out here, and you will be using the techniques of professional photographers - knowing how your camera works and choosing settings for the proper circumstances, carefully designing the shot, taking notice of your camera angle, using flash cautiously and with care, correctly supporting the camera, taking loads of pictures, and being properly equipped.
So, spend a little time getting to know your camera, and get out and take pictures. Soon you will be shooting photographs that you can proudly treasure always.
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