Taking pictures is fun, but taking good pictures requires work. Unlike most of us, good photographers have learned all the tricks of the trade, and that knowledge and skill shows in their work. The following piece includes several of the ways skilled photographers produce impressive results.
You should use digital techniques in order to shoot pictures that look like graphic pencil sketches, oil paintings, watercolors, and more. There are a variety of photo editing programs out there, but all the cool kids use Photoshop. With image editing software, transforming your photograph into a painting is sometimes as easy as applying a simple filter or mask.
Choose what will be in the picture. A good picture should be like a small window showing a certain aspect of your subject. Avoid the desire to show more than is needed. If you want to give a more general impression of something, take a series of pictures, rather than a single photograph with no real focus or details.
Don’t let your picture-taking technique get too complicated. You don’t need to mess with a bunch of different color and motion settings to produce a beautiful photograph.
Overcast skies should not be included in the composition of a picture. If you have too much gray sky in your photo it will make it look muted. If you cannot exclude the overcast sky from your shots, you may want to consider taking black and white photos. If it is a nice day outside, put as much of the blue sky in your pictures as you would like, but be careful with the lighting.
Don’t forget the little things you see when traveling, they might make an amazing photograph! A picture snapped without any particular motive may become important to you later by stimulating your memories and helping you call back the ambiance of your trip. You can also take photographs of everyday items from a variety of perspectives.
The more photos you take, the greater chance you will have one that is really great. If you have a large enough memory card, you can take as many pictures as you want without ever worrying about whether or not you will have enough room. If you have a good memory card, you can also shoot with RAW format.
As you take different pictures, accompany each with a brief, written note. If you take countless photos, it may be hard to recall why or where you took them. Carry a small notebook with you so you can take brief notes as you take each photograph.
When working in low lighting conditions, many digital cameras have a built in flash feature that pops up automatically. The convenience of this feature can be great for quick candid shots; however, if your goal is more professional shots, weigh options for the purchase of an external flash option. This will allow greater diversity in your lighting needs. Ensure that there is a “hot shoe”, or port that allows external flash, on top of the camera. Most devices available can sync perfectly with compatible cameras.
Consider enrolling in a photography group, or team up to take shots with a photographer who shares your interests. Listen to any technical tips they have, but be sure to keep your own style. You can even compare photographs of the same subject with another photographer and discuss the differences.
It might seem like a beginner’s tip, but even pros forget that sometimes less is more. When dealing with any photo, don’t over-think things. Simple natural shots are sometimes the best ones. Keeping things simple in your photos is what catches your viewer’s attention, simplicity often creates a big punch!
Play with the concepts of scale, expressions, and perspective in your photographs. Any simple subject can be transformed into something artistic when it is used in a funny, unique way, or made to look much smaller or much bigger than it is. Your composition of your photos will create interest when you are creative with common objects.
Many people think it is good to wear white for a picture, but it is actually a bad idea. A lot of the time cameras are set on auto focus. Auto focus means the camera is going to try and get a reading on everything in what the camera is seeing. White clothing usually gets washed out in these pictures.
If you plan to take photos that include more than one person, advise everyone in the group on choosing the proper clothing. This holds true whether you are dealing with a family, a large group or a couple. Not everyone likes matching colors, but complementary colors or patterns should be encouraged. Suggest neutral shades or warm colors, as they will blend with natural environments. If you are considering a more festive, brightly colored setting, advise the subjects to balance colored tops with black bottoms. This ensures that the various colors do not compete for the viewer’s attention.
Taker your camera and start practicing these tricks. You’ll be surprised just how fast your photography gets better.