In order to take good photo, you have to do more than merely point and shoot a camera (though sometimes you can get lucky). Photography is an art and skill set that has to be learned through years of experimentation and practice, but there are a few basics that can get you started in the right direction. The following list is a compilation of certain techniques and tips that will help make your photography look that much better:
1) Get Closer
One of the biggest mistakes that amateur photographers make is to shoot a photograph too far away from their subject. To avoid this mishap do the following: take a picture from where you would normally take it, then move significantly closer and take another shot. Once you get into the habit of shooting closer then you are used to, your photographs will start to have a more interesting, distinct, and detailed view.
2) Shoot Quickly
You have to remember that nothing is better than an authentic candid moment, or capturing something that only lasts for a few seconds. The art of shooting quickly is often overlooked and brushed aside, but if you learn to get quicker on the draw than you may be able to capture better images. Your subject may at any time run away, fly away, change facial expressions etc. so you have to be able to quickly take a photograph at the right time. Do not worry about your pictures coming out well or blurry because it is better to have a shot at the right moment that isn’t perfect, than no shot at all.
3) Compose Your Photo
Even if you do not plan on selling your photograph or displaying it in a gallery, the conscious effort to compose your photo will yield a much better result. The basics to composing a photograph are simple: crop out any extra elements, keep the horizon level, place the subject where you think it belongs instead of accepting its placement as is, and work within the rule of thirds.
4) Pay Attention To Lighting
This tip is very simple but may save a bunch of your photographs from being uninteresting and having crappy colors. Paying attention to the light that you’re working with can be as simple as noticing where shadows are falling. Be aware of how the lighting affects your subject and don’t be afraid to play around with different angles and lighting sources in order to get your desired effect.
5) Keep It Simple
While a lot of us strive to utilize every setting and extra attribute that our cameras may have, getting a full grasp on a simpler set-up will usually churn out better results. You do not have to merely rely on fully-automatic settings, however using semi-automatic settings (such as aperture-priority), will likely give you the ability to shoot better photographs. Learning the balance of not letting the basics control you and not getting too caught up technicalities is usually the best way to shoot.
6) A Steady Shot
This one may be obvious, but acquiring a steady hand is essential for shooting crisp photographs. There is nothing worse than being excited about a shot only to realize later that it’s blurry. There are a couple of ways you can acquire the skill of shooting steadily: use a tripod, lean against a solid object, or practice holding a steady hand. Take some time to perfect the craft of holding your camera properly, and getting down a solid stance for shooting photos.
I hope that you found this list helpful and that it has inspired you to go out and shoot some photos!
Tags: aperture, camera, photo, photograph, photographer, photography, tripod
