A tripod is your best friend. If you don't have one, then breathe like a sniper and steady yourself on something. Tripods can be expensive or cheap, but just get one that you'll use. Try using the time delay more often too.
2. Take more pictures:
This sounds like a no brainer, but it's really a big one. Get a large memory card, or get more cards. You don't have to pay to develop all the pictures, so learn from mistakes. Order spare batteries or get extra rechargeable ones.
3. Do it differently:After taking a picture, try it a different way. Change the settings, progressively move through the white balance or exposure compensation. Review the results and learn about your cameras features.
Is there something behind the main subject? Make sure you're not setting yourself up for some strange merger - you don't want the subject of your portrait to have a flag pole coming out of their head. Use macro and portrait settings to blur backgrounds and create stylized photos.
5. Learn about composition:
Get that subject matter out of the middle. What else is around? Can you shift your picture up to include more sky, or is the frozen lake more interesting? Learn the rule of thirds. Some cameras even come with an option to display a grid for you.
6. Change the angle:
Everyone has pictures of iconic structures and highly trafficked tourist areas. Is there a way you could capture the area differently? Try getting on the ground and taking a few photos. Climb up a hill to find a different perspective.
7. Look for light:
7. Look for light:
Figure out where the light is coming from. If it's casting shadows that you don't want, then try to rearrange the subject. If outside, take note of when the light will be where you want it. Some photographers will only shoot at sunrise and sunset, also known as the golden hour.
Got some tips to add? --Leave a comment
"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams
- Ansel Adams
Nice tips! I agree with them all. For me, composition and lighting were always the biggies. Taking those into account really makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks Janene. Those seem to be the biggest factors in decent photographs.
ReplyDeleteYou can take some good photographs with almost any camera if you just learn how to keep these things in mind.
All very good tips. I love reading photography tips because I'm still far from what I consider to be good. The one thing I always do right is to take a lot of pictures. For tip number 7, if a person is a nature photographer, sunrise and sunset are also the best times to see wildlife. I remember people telling me those were the best times for light, but I never quite realized until I noticed the big difference in my photos.
ReplyDeleteHey Ratty!
ReplyDeleteI love looking at your photos. I did a little reading on your camera too. It's cool that you've got one that's more flexible.
You're right, lighting is a huge part of nature photos. I've noticed that wildlife likes that time better too, it's amazing what you see in nature when you start looking for it.
Thanks,
Evan
Hi Evan,
ReplyDeleteI'm bookmarking your post here while eagerly awaiting the day that I get a new camera to replace my broken one. Good stuff!
Thanks timethief, there's lots of great deals on cameras right now. Digital cameras are coming way down, but will probably drop in price even more in the near future.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing to look at the top of the line cameras and get a glimpse of what will eventually trickle down into the everyday consumer camera.
this is cool, thanks for sharing..
ReplyDeleteHi Evan - useful tips. I've been taking photos for around 30 years but only switched to digital a few years ago so I'm still getting to grips with all the technology that's now available.
ReplyDeleteThanks Glen
ReplyDelete