As a new photographer, these are some of the ideas that will help get you going. Keep your camera with you all the time.
10. Don’t go crazy buying the most expensive equipment
It’s possible to get very nice photos with an inexpensive point and shoot. The more photos you take, the more you’ll know about what kind of camera to get when it’s time to upgrade.
9. Consider a tripod
On the other hand, an inexpensive tripod is worth getting, especially if you have shaky hands.digital photographers could improve the results that they get out of their cameras simply by attaching it to a tripod.. For even more stability, use your camera’s timer function with a tripod.
8. Use flash outdoors
Bright sun can create unattractive deep facial shadows. Eliminate the shadows by using your flash to lighten the face. When taking people pictures on sunny days, turn your flash on. You may have a choice of fill-flash mode or full-flash mode. If the person is within five feet, use the fill-flash mode; beyond five feet, the full-power mode may be required. With a digital camera, use the picture display panel to review the results.
7. Experiment with your camera’s settings
Many people who buy a DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera is going to think they’re a ‘photographer’. Which, hey, that’s fine. Everyone needs a hobby. But, if you own a DSLR camera, then take the time to learn how to take your camera off of the “auto” setting and do a little bit more. Understanding your camera settings will make you a better photographer.
All of these: aperture, shutter speed, ISO speed, etc. are things to pay close attention to when you are out shooting.
6. Move it from the middle
Center-stage is a great place for a performer to be. However, the middle of your picture is not the best place for your subject. Bring your picture to life by simply moving your subject away from the middle of your picture. Start by playing tick-tack-toe with subject position. Imagine a tick-tack-toe grid in your viewfinder.
Now place your important subject at one of the intersections of lines. You’ll need to lock the focus if you have an auto-focus camera because most of them focus on whatever is in the center of the viewfinder.
5. Be a picture director
Take control of your picture-taking and watch your pictures dramatically improve. Become a picture director, not just a passive picture-taker.
- A picture director picks the location
- A picture director adds props
- A picture director arranges people
4. Focus on Your Subject
Practice shooting with different apertures and monitor the results afterwards to learn how depth-of-field affects your photo.This will help make those landscapes fascinating and lovely.
- Aim so the object you want in sharp focus is in the center of the viewfinder.
- Press the shutter button down half-way and hold it.
- Move your camera until you have the composition you like best.
- Press the button down the rest of the way to take the picture.
3. Experiment with Shutter Speed
One of the most basic, overlooked, and fun aspects of photography is that you have the power to slow time down or catch a split second.
One image happens so slowly that we could never see it and the other happens so quickly in real time that we would never notice it. Play with shutter speed!
Use a slow shutter speed and a tripod to make a pretty picture of any creek or stream. On the other hand, you can use a fast shutter speed (1/500 and up) to capture an object in motion.
2. Keep Your Camera Settings Simple
you will probably get the best results if you do not try to use settings all the time and instead learn a simple set up that works best for you in most situations.
Instead of relying on a fully automatic program, pick a simple, semi-automatic program such as aperture-priority and master shooting in that mode. Then, you’ll be able to control certain basics without letting the other basics control you, and thus keep that 150 page manual where it belongs – in your camera bag.
1. Be Bold
Don’t allow yourself to be paralyzed by fears of using the wrong settings, or an non-politically-correct social policy.
If you are afraid of upsetting someone by taking their picture, just go up and ask if it’s okay. Ask them to sign a release and offer a print in return.
With wildlife, adopt a low-impact method when you go places where few photographers have gone before.
Be wise… but be bold.