How To Increase Your Photography Skills

By Cyrus Caleb Sanchez


Gather all the information you can about different photography techniques to help ensure that you are ready to excel at taking any kind of picture. There are a few tricks that can keep you from falling into the trap of common photography mistakes that cause missed or poor photos.

When you are taking photos, a good rule of thumb is the idea of less is more. Avoid cluttering the composition of your shots with unnecessary elements. Simplicity is the way to go, so keep the shots as simple as possible.

If you like the creative feeling an old camera gives you, consider buying some vintage gear in a second hand shop. Use black and white film with a 200 ISO for a dramatic effect that can work in many situations. Try having prints made on different papers, like fiber-based papers.

Take your photo quickly. The perfect moment you want to capture could be fleeting, so you have to be prepared to catch it without warning. It takes only seconds for an animal to run away or hide. People's smiles begin to look strained after a short period of time. That cresting wave or speeding SR-71 jet fighter that seemed to appear out of nowhere isn't going to pause while you fiddle with your flash. Try not to worry about getting all the camera settings correct, otherwise you risk missing the shot.

Use your camera's focus-lock. Normally, a camera will focus on the object that appears in the middle of the frame, therefore, if the subject is not in the center, you must make the camera focus on it. You can do this by pressing the shoot button with the subject of the shot in the center and then moving the camera until you have found your picture. Depress the shutter the rest of the way to snap the shot.

Try being creative with various kinds of shutter speeds. The common strategy is to use a fast shutter speed so that the action is in focus and clear. Try using a slower shutter speed like 1/30 instead. Did you see the person riding a bike who was going past at a fast pace? The resulting image will portray the cyclist in sharp outline, but the background will appear streaked, as in motion.

Many digital cameras are made with a built-in flash that will pop up automatically when the lighting is dimmer. These are great for a quick snapshot, but if you want to take your photos to the next level, consider a professional external flash unit to provide a better range of lighting options. Check to make sure your camera has a "hot shoe" on top that will accommodate an external flash, then go to a professional camera store to ensure that you are getting one that automatically syncs with your camera.

Keeping your camera at the same eye level as your subject is an important thing to consider when photographing people. This gives your photos that up-close-and-personal atmosphere and draws the viewer's eye to the people in the photo. If you are photographing children this may mean stooping down to their level.

Discrimination is a vital skill for a good photographer; when you are going to show off photos you've taken, present only your very best work. Resist the urge to show people every photo, especially multiple shots of the same person or subject. It might bore people if you keep showing the same photo multiple times. Be fresh, and try different kinds of photography.

Not everyone can take a picture, but everyone is able to enjoy one. If you explore different aspects of photography, you can develop the ability to capture the hidden moments that others may have overlooked. Photography is a wonderful and fulfilling hobby to engage in. As mentioned, sharing your pictures with everyone can also be an effective way to reduce stress--so have fun with it!




About the Author:



0 comments:

Post a Comment