Photography Tricks That Can Work For Anyone

By David B On Nov 26, 2013

Perhaps you have thought about taking high quality photographs and even wondered if you might become a photographer. What amazing timing! In this article, you will be provided with many tricks that will hopefully help you begin your journey towards taking quality photos.

Experiment with different shutter speeds to see what works best for different scenarios. Photography can help you get that split-second moment or to blur those large time periods. Fast shutter speeds are perfect for motion shots, whereas slower shutter speeds are good for natural, calm photographs.

Don’t be afraid to break some photography rules with your camera. Good photography takes unique style, and you want to show the world a new view through your lens. Try your best to not take stereotypical pictures; you want to be as unique as you can. Be creative, and shoot from unusual angles.

TIP! You can give your photos an artistic touch resembling pencil sketches, watercolors, or oil paintings, by editing them digitally. There are many options for digital editing software, although Adobe Photoshop is considered to be of the highest quality.

Serious photographers have dSRL cameras. Digital single-lens reflex cameras are the ideal way to view your subject just after you take the photograph. Those equipped with a full frame will inevitably provide a more comprehensive image and finer details.

For landscape photography, attempt to capture the natural depth of the view. Have a person or an object in the foreground to provide an idea of scale for your image. Giving sharp focus to your photos can be as simple as changing your settings. Apertures less than f/8 for digital cameras, and f/16 for full framed SLR cameras, will give you the image you really want.

Direct Sunlight

TIP! Decide what aspects of your subject you want to capture in your photograph. An excellent photo will function like a little window, showing a moment in time for your subject.

Many people think that sunny days are great for photos, when in fact, direct sunlight can ruin any photograph. Direct sunlight not only causes glare and unpleasant shadows, but it also creates irregular highlights and makes your subjects squint if they facing the sun. If you can, take outdoors pictures early in the day or toward the evening.

Choose only the best photos to showcase or display. Avoid showing too many photos, numerous photos containing the same subject. People get bored seeing the same thing repeatedly. Always try to show new perspectives, and showcase various aspects of your talent with your photography.

When you are snapping pictures of people, you can blur the background a bit to get the best effect. Having a background that is in full focus will take away from your subject, making it harder to direct your viewer’s focus to the right location. Blur your background to keep it from detracting from your central subject.

TIP! You should always be on the lookout for photographers who inspire you. If you look at other photographers’ work, you can learn new strategies for capturing a scene.

Write down a few notes when you take pictures. When you look at the hundreds of pictures you took, it might be hard to remember where you took all of them, or how you felt at that moment. Use a notepad to record numbers of photos and descriptions.

You need to make sure that you have the right white balance setting on your camera if you are taking pictures under fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lights emit blue- or green-tinged light, leaving your subjects looking too cool. The appropriate setting will compensate for the red tones that your lighting environment lacks.

Less is always more in photo composition. Why would you want to clutter your shots? Adopting a simple, minimalistic style can help you to identify the heart of a shot.

TIP! Before traveling with your photography equipment, take the time to carefully plan which equipment you need to take. Bring along some cleaning accessories, extra batteries, and any lenses you may need.

Make sure to read the camera’s manual. Manuals are usually thick and heavy. Often, people put them in a file drawer or throw them in the garbage. Instead of throwing them out, use time to read its contents. By taking the time to read the manual and familiarize yourself with your camera, you will eliminate frustration and take much better pictures.

If you want pictures that are brag-worthy, remember to stay focused on your subject. Your camera must be in focus at all times to ensure that you retain a well-composed image that reflects the true intentions of your shot. When you are just getting started, keep your subject centered in the picture and in view. Don’t worry about the background.

Knowing what equipment works for you is crucial if you aim to make photography more than an occasional hobby. While some people only select name brands, there is no harm in testing out all the manufacturers that are available.

TIP! Start shooting pictures right away when you leave for a trip. While you are sure to have lots of great instances to get great shots on location, you should consider using the entire trip as potential for unique and beautiful subjects.

Red Eye

Red eye is a minor detail but it can really ruin an otherwise noteworthy picture. Avoid red-eye by not using flash, or if you have to have it, do not have the subject look into the lens directly. Some cameras are also equipped with an easy to use red eye feature.

Use many different shutter speeds. If you are trying to get a good picture you would normally use the fastest shutter speed, but try the slowest for a different effect. Take that cyclist riding past for example. Your resulting shot will capture the bicyclist in pretty sharp detail, while the background will be blurred horizontally, indicating speed.

TIP! Take photos of interesting people whose faces tell stories. Get permission first.

You should feel further prepared for your photography now. If you thought you did a good job before, now your pictures will be outstanding! These tips should give you advice so you can get going improving your photo skills.