Many people think their photography skills will improve by buying a new, sophisticated camera. In photography, technique is more important than device. Besides, taking good pictures can be done by anyone with any camera, if you practice enough and avoid common mistakes.
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Part 1 of 8: Understanding the Camera
Step 1. Read the camera manual
Learn the function of each control, switch, button, and menu item. Learn basic techniques, such as using the flash (on, off, and auto), zooming in and out, and using the shutter button. Some cameras come with a printed beginner's manual but also offer a larger free guide on the manufacturer's website. If your camera doesn't come with a manual, don't panic, look for instructions on the internet.
Part 2 of 8: Getting Started
Step 1. Set the camera resolution to the highest point to take high quality photos
Low resolution images are more difficult to change later; You also can't crop at will the way you can with the high-resolution (and still printable) version. Upgrade the memory card to a larger one. If you don't want or can't afford to buy a new one, use the "good" quality setting, if available on your camera, at a lower resolution.
Step 2. Start by setting the camera to automatic mode, if there is such an option
The most useful mode is the "Program" or "P" mode on digital SLR cameras. Ignore the conflicting advice that recommends you operate the camera completely manually; advances in the last fifty years in automatic focus and metering have not been without results. If your photo is out of focus or too dark, "then" operate certain functions manually.
Part 3 of 8: Looking For Photo Opportunities
Step 1. Take your camera with you wherever you go
When you hold the camera, you will begin to see the world differently; You will search and find opportunities to take photos. Therefore, you will take more photos; and the more photos you take, the more your photography skills will improve. Plus, if you take photos of your friends and family, they'll get used to seeing you with your camera with you all the time. This way, when you take out the camera, they will feel less awkward or intimidated; so that the photo pose will be more natural and not look fake.
Remember to bring spare batteries or chargers if you use a digital camera
Step 2. Go outside
Motivate yourself to go out and take photos in natural light. Take some normal 'shoot and shoot' shots to see the exposure at different times of day and night. While many people like the 'Golden Hour' (the last two hours of daylight) as favorable light conditions for photographing, that doesn't mean one can't shoot in mid-day light conditions. If it's a sunny day, sometimes an open shady environment can create a soft and attractive glow (especially towards people). Go outside, especially when most people are eating, watching television, or sleeping. Lighting can often feel dramatic and unusual to many people precisely because they can never see it!
Part 4 of 8: Using the Camera
Step 1. Clean the lens from the cover, thumb, strap and other obstructions
It's basic, but all these obstacles (often unnoticed) ruin a photo. This is less of a problem with modern live preview digital cameras, and even less so with SLR cameras. However, people still make these mistakes, especially when rushing to take pictures.
Step 2. Set the white balance
In short, the human eye automatically adjusts to different types of lighting; white looks white to us in almost any lighting. Digital cameras compensate for this by shifting colors in certain ways.
For example, under tungsten (incandescent) lighting, the color will shift to a blue tint to compensate for the red hue due to the lighting. White balance is one of the most critical and underused settings on modern cameras. Learn how to set them up, as well as the purpose of various settings. If you're not using artificial light, the "Shadow" (or "Cloudy") setting works best in most conditions; makes colors appear very warm. If the result is too red, it can be easily fixed with software later. "Auto", the auto mode on most cameras, works well at times, but also sometimes causes colors to be a little too cold.
Step 3. If possible, set the ISO speed to a slower one
This is not a problem for digital SLR cameras, but is especially important for digital point-and-shoot cameras (which typically have small sensors that are more susceptible to noise). A slower ISO speed (lower number) reduces noise in photos; however, it forces you to use a slower shutter speed, which limits your ability to shoot moving subjects. For still subjects in good lighting (as well as still subjects in low light, if you're using a tripod and remote release), use the slowest ISO speed available on your camera.
Part 5 of 8: Taking Great Photos
Step 1. Arrange the shot carefully
Frame the photo in your mind before framing it in the viewfinder. Consider the following rules, but especially the last one:
- Use the "Rule of Thirds", the main points of interest in your drawing are along the line of thirds. Try not to let the horizon or other lines "cut your image in the middle."
- Get rid of distracting and distracting backgrounds. Move the position to avoid looking as if the tree is growing from the head as a background. Change the angle to avoid staring at the window from across the street. If you're taking vacation photos, take time for your family to put all their trash away and take off their backpacks or backpacks. Get that mess out of the picture frame, and your photos will look better and less cluttered. If you can blur the background of a photo, do so. Etc.
Step 2. Ignore the suggestions above
Think of the suggestions above as laws that can be applied to most situations but always remember to interpret them wisely, not as absolute rules. Obeying the rules makes photos look boring. For example, clutter and a sharply focused background can add context, contrast, and color; perfect symmetry in an image can add drama, and so on. Every rule can and should be bent for artistic effect. This is how amazing photos are made.
Step 3. Fill the frame with your subject
Don't be afraid to get closer to your subject. On the other hand, if you use a digital camera with a lot of megapixels, you can crop it later with the software.
Step 4. Try an interesting angle
Instead of aiming straight at the object, try looking at the object from above, or crouch down and look up. Choose an angle that shows maximum color and minimum shadow. To make an object appear longer or taller, a low angle can help. You may also want to make the object appear smaller or make it appear floating; to achieve this effect, you must place the camera over the object. Unusual angles make portraits more interesting.
Step 5. Focus
Poor focus is one of the things that spoils a photo. Use autofocus on your camera, if applicable; usually, this is done by half-pressing the shutter button. Use the "macro" camera mode for close-up shots. Don't adjust focus manually unless autofocus has a problem; like metering, autofocus usually does better than you.
Step 6. Balance ISO, shutter speed and aperture
ISO is how sensitive your camera is to light, shutter speed is the length of time your camera takes a picture (which ultimately changes the amount of light that enters), and aperture is how wide your camera lens is. Not all cameras have this setting, most are only available on digital photography cameras. By balancing this and centered as much as possible, you can avoid the noise caused by a high ISO, the blur caused by a low shutter speed, and the side-by-side dark effect caused by a low aperture. Depending on how your photo should look, you'll need to adjust these settings accordingly so that the light levels are good but still give the image the effect you want. For example, you take a picture of a bird coming out of the water. In order for the image to be in focus, you will need a high shutter speed but you will also need a low aperture or high ISO to compensate for the exposure. A high ISO will make the image look grainy, but a low aperture will work well as it creates a blurred background effect that attracts birds. By balancing these elements, you can create the best possible image.
Part 6 of 8: Avoiding Blur Photos
Step 1. Stay still
Many people are surprised at how blurry their images can be when taking close-up shots, or taking long-distance shots. To minimize blur: If you are using a full-sized camera with a zoom lens, hold the camera body (finger on the shutter button) with one hand, and stabilize the lens by holding your hand under it. Keep your elbows close to your body, and use this position to prepare yourself. If your camera or lens has an image stabilization feature, use this feature (this is called IS on Canon equipment, and VR, for Vibration Reduction, on Nikon equipment).
Step 2. Consider using a tripod
If your hands are always shaking, or use a large (and slow) telephoto lens, or are trying to take photos in low light, or need to take consecutive identical pictures (such as with HDR photography), or want to take panoramic photos, this is better. when you use a tripod. For long exposures (more than a second or more), it is better to use a release cable (for older film cameras) or a remote control; You can use your camera's timer feature if you don't have one of these devices.
Step 3. Consider not using a tripod, especially if you don't have one
Tripod reduces mobility, and changes the frame of the shot quickly. Tripods are also heavier to carry around, preventing you from getting out and taking photos.
For shutter speed and the difference between fast and slow shutter, you only need a tripod if the shutter speed is equal to or slower than the reciprocal of your focal length. For example, if you have a 300mm lens, then the shutter speed must be faster than 1/300 second. If you can avoid using a tripod by using a faster ISO speed (with a consequent faster shutter), or by using the image stabilization feature of the camera, or moving to a place with better lighting, then do it
Step 4. If you're in the situation of having to use a tripod, but you don't have one, try one of the following to reduce camera shake:
- Enable image stabilization on your camera (only digital cameras have this feature) or lens (only expensive lenses are common).
- Zoom out (or switch to a wider lens) and get closer. This will minimize the effect of small changes on the camera, and increase the maximum aperture for shorter exposures.
- Hold the camera on two sides away from the middle of the camera, such as the grip near the shutter button and the opposite end, or at the end of the lens. (Do not hold the fragile folding lens in the aim and shoot, or block parts of the camera that will move on their own such as the focus ring, or block the view of the camera lens.) This will reduce the angle, when the camera moves a certain distance your hand shakes.
- Press the shutter slowly, steadily, and gently, and do not stop until the picture has been taken. Place your index finger on top of the camera. Press the shutter button with both fingers to stabilize; keep pushing the top of the camera.
- Support the camera with an object (or your hands if you're worried about scratching your camera), and/or support your arms against your body or sit and hold them on your knees.
- Support the camera on something (perhaps a bag or strap) and use a timer to avoid shaking when pressing the button if the support item is soft. This often causes the camera to drop, so make sure the drop is not far away. Avoid this technique on expensive cameras or cameras with accessories such as flashes that can break or damage parts of the camera. If you anticipate this, you can bring a pillow, which will work just fine. Custom made "pillows" are available, pillows filled with dry nuts are inexpensive, and the filling is edible when worn or needs upgrading.
Step 5. Be still as you press the shutter button
Also try not to hold the camera for too long; this will cause hands and arms to shake. Practice raising the camera to your eye, focusing and measuring it, then take the picture in one fast, smooth shot.
Part 7 of 8: Using Lightning
Step 1. Avoid red eyes
Red eye is caused when your eyes enlarge in low light. When your pupil dilates, the flash illuminates the blood vessels in the back wall of your eyeball, which is why the eye appears red. If you must use the flash in poor light, try asking the subject not to look directly at the camera, or consider using "bouncing flash." Shooting lightning above your subject's head, especially if the surrounding walls are bright, will cause red-eye. If your flash device is non-separable, which is easier to customize, use the red-eye reduction feature if available on your camera. The red-eye reduction feature blinks several times before opening the shutter, causing the subject's pupils to contract, thereby minimizing red-eye. Better yet, don't take photos that require lightning; find a place with better lighting.
Step 2. Use lightning wisely, and don't use it when you don't need it
Flash in poor light often causes reflections to look ugly, or make the subject of a photo appear "faded"; the latter is especially true for photos of people. On the other hand, lightning is useful for filling in shadows; for example, to remove the "raccoon eye" effect under bright midday light (if you have fast enough flash speed sync). If you can avoid using flash by going outside, or stabilizing the camera (so you can use a slower shutter speed without blurring), or setting a faster ISO speed (for a faster shutter speed), do so.
If you don't intend to make the flash the main light source in the image, set it so that the exposure is right at the stop aperture, wider than what is stated to be correct and the one you use for the exposure (depending on light intensity and shutter speed, which cannot be above sync speed). lightning). This can be done by selecting specific stops manually or semi-automatically, or using "flash exposure compensation" with modern, sophisticated cameras
Part 8 of 8: Staying Systematic and Gaining Experience
Step 1. Browse your photos and find the best ones
Find out what makes the photo the best and continue using that method to get the best shot. Don't be afraid to delete or delete photos. Be brutal; if you find the photo unattractive, throw it away. If you, like most people, take pictures on a digital camera, it will cost you nothing but wasted time. Before you delete them, remember you can learn a lot from bad photos; find the reason the photo doesn't look good, then "avoid that step".
Step 2. Practice and keep practicing
Take as many photos as you can, use up your memory card entirely or use as much film as you can wash. Avoid messing with film cameras until you can get decent pictures with a simple digital camera. Until then, you will have to make a lot of glaring mistakes to learn from them. It's easy to spot and learn right away, when you know what you're doing and why the current situation went wrong). The more pictures you take, the better your skills will be, and you (and everyone else) will like your pictures even more.
- Take pictures from new or different angles, and learn something new about taking pictures, and keep at it. You can make even the most boring everyday life look amazing if you are creative enough to photograph it.
- Recognize the limitations of your camera; how well the camera performs under different types of lighting, how well the autofocus at various distances, how well the camera handles moving subjects, and so on.
Tips
- When shooting photos of children, lower yourself to their height! Images taken from below usually look ugly. Don't be lazy and get down on your knees.
- Remove photos from memory cards" as soon as possible. Make some if you can. Every photographer has been, or will be, heartbroken when he loses a precious picture unless he cultivates this habit. Make a backup!
- To find an interesting corner of a tourist location, look at where other people are taking pictures, then go somewhere else. Don't take the same picture as everyone else.
- Don't be afraid to take too many pictures. Take pictures until you think you got the best picture! It usually takes time to find the perfect composition, and your subject is worth the wait. Once you find something that interests you, treat it like a treasure and give it your attention.
- If the camera comes with a neck strap, use it! Extend the camera as far as possible so that the neck strap is pulled, this will help stabilize the camera. Apart from that, it also prevents you from dropping the camera.
- Take notes and make notes about what works and what doesn't. Review your notes as often as you practice.
- Install photo editing software and learn how to use it. This tool can correct color balance, adjust exposure, crop photos, and much more. Most cameras come with software for making basic adjustments. For more complex operations, consider purchasing Photoshop, download and install the free GIMP image editor, or use Paint. NET (https://www.paint.net/), a lightweight free image editor for Windows users.
- Westerners tend to like photos full of faces or people, for example those taken within 1.8 m. East Asian people tend to like photos of people standing at least 4.6 m from the camera so the images look small and these photos mostly depict the location/background. Photos like these are not about 'me' but show the places that 'I visited'.
- Read a big city newspaper or a copy of National Geographic and see how professional photojournalists tell stories in pictures. You can also browse photo sites like Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/) or deviantART (https://www.deviantart.com/) for inspiration. Try the Flickr camera finder (https://www.flickr.com/cameras/) to see what people can do with cheap shoot and shoot cameras. Take a look at Camera Data on deviantART. However, don't spend so much time looking for inspiration that you don't go out looking for objects.
- Camera type doesn't matter. Almost every camera is capable of taking great photos in the right conditions. Even modern camera phones are good enough for many types of photos. Learn the limitations of the camera and overcome them; don't buy new equipment until you know exactly what its limitations are, and are sure they aren't holding you back.
- Upload it to Flickr or Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/) and maybe one day, you'll see your photo used on wikiHow!
- If you are taking digital pictures, it is better to shoot in low light, as they are easier to fix with software. Shadow details can be restored; white light (pure white areas in overexposed photos) can never be recovered, because there isn't any color there to recover. Film cameras are the opposite of this; Shadow detail tends to be poorer than digital cameras, but white areas rarely appear even in very bright lighting.
Warning
- Ask permission when taking photos of people, pets or their property. The only time you don't need to ask permission is when you're taking a picture of an ongoing crime. Asking permission is polite.
- Be careful when taking photos of sculptures, works of art, and even architecture, even if they are in a public place. In many jurisdictions, this is often an infringement of copyright in works.
