Basic Photography Tips

Well, what I know is I love photography and what I really know is I'm not good in photography -_- but, I have some basic photography techniques that can help you in making nice pictures with the source from here. Making beautiful photography needs nothing than a bit of thought. All you really need is to take a moment before each shot to think clearly about what you are attempting to capture or create. The followings are the 10 basic photography tips. Enjoy!

Photography tips #1: Move in Closer
Each time you spot a subject, snap a shot and then move in closer for a better shot. Having your subject almost fill the frame helps your viewer understand and appreciate your photo. Also, details are often more interesting than an overall view. Keep moving in closer until you are sure the photo will successfully represent your subject.

Photography Tips #2: Be Quick
If it is at all possible that your subject may move, bolt, fly away, stop smiling, or just get tired of waiting for you to take the picture, shoot once right away. Practice getting quicker and quicker to the draw. Do not worry about taking too many pictures and do not wait until you're absolutely certain all the knobs and buttons are in their correct position. As the motto, "Shoot First, Ask Questions Later."


Photography Tips #3: Compose Your Picture with Care
Even if you don't plan on selling your photo to the Smithsonian, make every effort to keep it balanced and beautiful. On one level or another, everyone responds better to a picture that has all elements in balance. Strive to lead the eye along an interesting path through the photo, with the use of strong lines or patterns.


Photography Tips #4: Be Selective
Discern what you are really interested in and center your efforts on getting the best photo of this subject, whether it a still life, your funny cat, your doggy, a friend, a family matter, a mood, a place or culture. The easiest way to do this is to watch your borders - the edges of the view you see through the camera's viewfinder. Then recompose if anything - such as an unattractive telephone wire, an old soda can, a distracting sign, your finger, or your camera strap - hangs into your picture.


Photography Tips #5: Focus on Your Subject
Practice shooting with different apertures and monitor the results afterwards to learn how depth-of-field affects your photo. This is great for taking a picture of your child, your dog, or your husband - subjects stand out against a blurry background.

Photography Tips #6: Experiment with Shutter Speed
One of the most basic, overlooked, and fun aspects of photography is that you have the power to slow time down or catch a split second. One image happens so slowly that we could never see it and the other happens so quickly in real time that we would never notice it. Play with shutter speed!

Photography Tips #7: Look at the Light
By this, I don't mean look into the sun - no, that won't do at all. But it is good to see what kind of light you are working with. Which way are the shadows falling? Unless you want a silhouette effect, where your subject is black against an interesting background, it's generally best to shoot with the sun behind you. How is the light affecting your subject? Is the subject squinting? Is the light blazing directly and brightly upon your whole subject? This works well if you are in love with the bold colors of your subject. Side lighting, on the other hand, can add drama but can also cause extreme, hard-to-print contrasts. Lastly, indirect light can be used to make your subject glow soft and pretty.

Photography Tips #8: Watch the Weather, Too
Look outside and decide whether or not you are going to want to have the sky in your picture. If it's overcast, simply keep the sky out of your pictures as much as possible. This is usually the best way to avoid both muted tones in your subject and washed-out skies in your background. You might also find black and white pictures of an overcast day more pleasing than color. When the day is beautiful, go ahead and make the most of it.


Photography Tips #9: Keep Your Camera Settings Simple
While you may wish to have "all the bells and whistles" available just in case, you will probably get the best results if you do not try to use them all the time and instead learn a simple set up that works best for you in most situations. If you want one accessory, bring a tripod. This one item can solve camera shake issues and help you get beautiful evening shots.


Photography Tips #10: Be Bold!
Don't allow yourself to be paralyzed by fears of using the wrong settings, or an non-politically-correct social policy. Be wise... but be bold.

There you have it, basic but helpful - I hope - photography tips. Now go out there, make some great shots, learn from the failures, and have fun!