You have a very nice camera and some pretty decent equipment to go along with it. You can take a good picture but somehow, your images never come out looking like professional shots. This photography-related article will go into detail on how you can get the most out of your camera.
A good photography tip that can help you is to not be afraid of getting your work critiqued by other people. Putting your work out there can leave you feeling vulnerable, but it’s very valuable to know how other people perceive your work. It can help you improve a lot.
If you can’t use a tripod while taking photos for some reason, you should always brace your upper body on a solid surface. Hold your breath if you can while taking the shot. This will minimize shake during the exposure, resulting in clearer pictures. A tripod is always best, however.
When aiming for the perfect shot, remember to keep sunlight in mind. Too little and you can’t see the subject. Too much and one of two things happen. The first is that too much sunlight is directed into the camera’s lens or on the subject and washes out the picture. The second is the person being photographed has to blink or close his eyes because of the massive amounts of sunlight coming into his eyes.
Be sure your photo has a solid focal point. Without a good focal point your photographs will end up looking empty, leaving the eye with nowhere to rest. Your viewers will be more appreciative of a photo that has a clear focus, even if you are shooting a landscape or other wide setting.
Keep your photo subject simple. The busier the subject is the more difficult it is to capture something that is going to be interesting. Keeping the backgrounds simple will make it easier for the eye to focus on the subject that you are capturing. Keeping it uncomplicated seems simple, but many forget to do it.
Natural light will always provide you with the highest quality photos. Cloudy days are actually better for shooting than sunny ones, because the clouds act as a natural diffuser, spreading the light out and eliminating shadows and harsh contrasts. Opt for your next photo shoot outside on an overcast day.
On your smart phone (as long as it has a camera), keep a special inspiration album within your photos. Every day you may stumble upon some amazing, inspirational idea, moment or place. Snap photos of these locales and moments, and store them in this inspiration album. Next time you are looking to try something new with your photography, look back to your inspiration folder for some great brainstorming ideas!
Finding another photographer to mentor you or joining a club can improve your photography skills. While you can gain a lot of knowledge from another person, you should not let them influence your style. Compare the same objects together and notice how each picture differ.
Leave yourself some “Lead Room” or “Active Space” when dealing with subjects that move in your shots. This is just basically some empty space either in front of the subject or behind the subject. This makes for a less-cluttered and more pleasing action shot for the viewer to look at.
Always stabilize your hands when taking pictures. If a tripod is not handy rest your arms on a table, wall or even another person to get a clear shot. Also, holding your breath while taking the picture will keep the camera from moving and assure the picture you need.
Keep an eye out for all kinds of natural geometry when taking pictures. Pay special attention to any “lines” that your eye can pick up on in the area or on the subject that you will be shooting. Find the “line” and use it to take a good shot.
Learn to turn your camera on it’s side. If the subject that you are shooting is taller than it is wide, then use your camera to make it take up more of the frame. Turn your camera on it’s side and take a vertical picture instead of the traditional horizontal one.
You do not want to miss the perfect shot because you were playing with the settings on your camera. At the same time, you don’t want to settle for factory presets. Know your options, and choose a setting that lets you switch certain elements you wish to control.
For more creative photos, experiment with unorthodox angles. Anyone can see a scene head-on and take a photo of it. Look down at things from high up, or get down on the ground, and look up at them. Try composing a shot on the diagonal or from the side to make it more interesting.
In conclusion, you want to be able to maximize your camera’s potential, especially, because of the amount of money you have already put into it. There is a lot you can do right and a lot you can do wrong with photography. Follow the tips provided and you should be happy with your results.