Quick And Easy Tips For Professional Quality Photos
July 10, 2013 by admin
Filed under Photography Techniques
If you are interested in pursuing photography, you probably have questions like where do you start? Are you clueless when it comes to angles and lighting? Even an experienced photographer can use advice sometimes, and this article provides the advice that you need.
Get as close to your subject as you need to. Getting as close to your subject as possible gives you more opportunities to highlight the main subject of the photo, and stops the background from ruining your shot. You also get the opportunity to allow your subject’s face to be the star of the shot; this is especially impactful with portraiture. Smaller details are usually overlooked when the picture is taken from far away.
A dSLR is required for all serious photographers. A DSLR is a single-lens reflex camera that is digital. These cameras are superior when it comes to viewing your subject just as the image is shot. Full-frame DSLRs are best because they have the largest image sensor, and create more detailed photos.
Many people think bright sun makes for great photographic conditions. But, direct sunlight actually ruins many would-be great shots. The sun can cause shadows, squinting, and highlights that do not flatter the subject. whenever possible, choose morning or late afternoon light, rather than mid-day, to shoot your outdoor photos.
In photography, what you have inside of the frame sets off the overall composition of the image. Make sure to not have distracting background items, but zoom in on your major focal point. You will reduce clutter in your photos and prevent unwanted focal points.
Tinker with your cameras manual white balance. Indoor lighting will often be tainted with yellow tints from bulbs and flourescent fixtures. By changing the white balance feature on your camera this will be reduced and you will notice a whole different quality to your photographs. The professionalism should be much more apparent in your photos by using this technique.
You want the background to be slightly blurred when taking photographs of people. A sharply focused background pulls attention from your subject, and that is not ideal. You want your viewer’s eye to fall on the intended subject. This is most easily accomplished by moving your subject further away from the backdrop.
Take a few pictures of vacation souveniers from your trips. Make separate photo albums for each trip you have photographed. This will allow you to create a story behind the objects you bought as souvenirs that you will enjoy when you return home.
Move and look at your subject from different angles. Attempt to shoot your subject from below, above, left or right.
A lot of cameras that are digital contain built in flashes that automatically turn on when the lighting is dim. While convenient for snapshots, a more professional solution is to use an external flash to take advantage of more lighting options. Be sure that your camera can take an external flash component and get one that fits it from a camera store.
When shooting pictures of a landscape, ensure any shot you take has three focal points. You should have a background, mid-ground, and foreground in all of your photos. These fundamentals are used for all different types of art.
Make a custom silhouette. Of course the classic silhouette uses the sunset as a backdrop; however, there are other ways to get the same effect. One way to have a silhouette appear is by choosing a background that is much brighter than your subject. By using an off camera flash behind the subject, or by positioning the subject in front of a bright window, you will be able to create a perfect silhouette. Keep in mind, however, that silhouettes could also reveal a facial or body outline that is less than flattering.
Knowing what equipment works for you is crucial if you aim to make photography more than an occasional hobby. Professionals will often recommend one particular name brand or another, but some lesser known manufacturers also offer strong options.
You need to remember where the sharpest focus will be in the frame. As a rule, this sharply focused part of the photographic image will be in its center. Then, it starts distorting when it approaches the camera frame’s outer edges.
Use different shutter speeds for more creativity. Generally speaking, it’s best to utilize the fastest shutter speed possible; however, you can get some interesting effects with a slower shutter speed (e.g. 1/30). Do you see that cyclist zooming along the road? Your resulting shot will capture the bicyclist in pretty sharp detail, while the background will be blurred horizontally, indicating speed.
Photography is more than just taking pictures, it is an art form, and the more knowledge you gain, the more successful you will become. There are so many things to consider in photography, especially the fact that there is no wrong or right, so use these tips to your advantage in getting a great foot out there.
