Photography can be a beautiful art form. No really, it can be. In terms of taking better photos and showing some skill in the application of various techniques to make your photos stand out, it is truly a beautiful thing. To start learning some basics as to how to make this work for you, refer to the tips below.
To create photographic images that resemble paintings, try having your photos printed onto matte or semi-gloss papers, then painting them by hand with photographic oils or pastels. These items can be picked up at most art supply stores and many camera shops. The most popular paints are made by Marshall’s and are created specifically for use on photographs.
Play with the shutter speed setting to get shots of both slow and fast-moving subjects. Slow shutter speeds are great for objects that move very slowly, such as streams. Fast shutter speeds, on the other hand, allow you to get a clear shot of a subject that is moving very quickly, such as a race car.
Pay attention to your light. The lighting in a photograph can bring a subject into better focus or change the mood of the picture. Different lighting setups will result in very different photographs. Avoid harsh direct lighting on your subject’s face, as this will generally cause them to squint.
Consider trying new things; don’t be scared of taking pictures that are original. That’s the best way to develop your own style and allow others to see the world from your perspective. Do not take pictures that people have seen over and over again. Try to find interesting angles, and be creative!
Make sure you have the right lighting before taking a photograph. Lighting is perhaps the most important factor in producing a good black and white photograph, because it affects the texture, contrast and shape of the image. Side lighting can produce some dramatic photographs as it creates shadows and highlights the edges of shapes.
A great photography tip is to talk to as many photographers as you can to learn their tricks. Learning on your own is an excellent path, but it’s always helpful to hear about what other photographers are doing. You might learn subtle tricks that can really improve your photographs.
The best way to ruin a photograph is to move the camera while shooting. Keep your camera steady, and give it some support when pressing the shutter button. When talking with professionals, they will tell you to always use a tripod. Sometimes a tripod is just not a practical solution. Use whatever is available like propping the camera against a wall or on top of a fence to take a great shot.
A fantastic tip that can make your photographs more interesting is to start utilizing patterns. Patterns can be an excellent design motif if you use them correctly. You can find patterns on almost anything. You can find them on lots of clothes, in architecture, and even in nature.
A good photography tip you should try is to to add an object to your photograph that will show the scale of another object. A big tree might not look that impressive by itself, but having a tiny person standing right next to it can make the tree look humongous.
Don’t just rely on straight on flash from your camera for your shots. That only guarantees a burst of frontal lighting. Get a little more creative and try to create soft lighting conditions. How do you do that with flash, you ask? You can do that by bouncing your flash off of a wall or ceiling.
Take candid shots. Instead of taking posed pictures, try taking pictures of your subject with family at work or doing something they love. When your subject is comfortable they will be more at ease and you will end up getting some unique shots. This works especially well when trying to photograph children.
If you are serious about photography, use a tripod. Tripods hold your camera still, which means that you will get an exceptionally clear shot when you use them. They come in particularly handy when you are taking a picture of a landscape, a sporting event or anything happening at night.
When framing your photo, always think about the rule of thirds. This should actually be the rule of ninths, because you are envisioning your photo space into thirds both horizontally and vertically. Try to place your subject to the left or right, top or bottom, instead of dead center in the picture. This will make the viewer’s eyes move around the image instead of stareing straight into it.
So, now do you see why photography is such a beautiful art form? Discovering your own abilities and improving upon them to make make and take better shots is indeed a thing of great skill. The tips above should have created a good foundation for you to build upon and find your own photographic “muse.”