This is an admirable goal! However, with such a wealth of information available regarding photography, figuring out where to start can be daunting. Here are some ideas to get you on the road to quickly improving your skills so you can take stunning pictures.
More often than not, taking a shot of a person will provide the best and most lively pictures. Never take someone's picture without first obtaining their permission. When reviewing your travel pictures, these people will give you a lasting emotional connection to your travels, even if the faces do not seem very unusual at the time. What you should look for is casual clothing and candid expressions.
Truly unique pictures are often the result of trying new ideas and experimenting. A creative picture should showcase your own style and allow viewers to see the world in a certain way. Avoid recreating certain famous photographs to see how your view differs from that of the original artist. Experiment with new angles, and be creative.
It is a common misconception that bright, sunny days are perfect for taking pictures. Actually, a lot of sun can make it difficult to take useable photos. Sunlight can cast bad shadows, weird highlights and give your subject squinting eyes. Whenever possible, shoot outdoor scenes during the early morning hours. Late evening hours are equally ideal.
Get as close to your subject as possible. Subjects lacking in color or details are one of the worst things you can see in a photograph. Try to make it easy on your audience to be able to see images clearly and vividly.
If you want to improve photography skills with an SLR camera, you need to play around with the manual settings. Digital photography has eliminated much of the cost and stress that goes along with taking photographs. This gives you the opportunity to experiment with your camera's advanced settings, learning what you should do and not do.
The focus-lock feature is an important tool on your camera. With most cameras pre-set to focus at the frame's center, you will have to adjust the focus if you want it elsewhere. This is usually done by pressing the shutter button only halfway with your subject in the middle, and then moving your camera so the shot is set up how you want it to be. Depress the shutter the rest of the way to snap the shot.
You need to make sure that you have the right white balance setting on your camera if you are taking pictures under fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lights emit blue- or green-tinged light, leaving your subjects looking too cool. The appropriate setting will compensate for the red tones that your lighting environment lacks.
Use a tripod to capture the most clear and precise landscape shots. You don't want a perfect landscape shot to be ruined because the camera jiggled at the wrong moment, so make sure your camera is resting on a steady base.
Increase shutter speed when shooting in low-light settings. This will help prevent any blurring on your final product. Try using a shutter speed of a minimum 1/200 or use 1/250.
Shoot your subjects from a variety of angles to find a unique perspective. The straight-on point of view can be effective, but is all too common. Instead, take your shot from a different angle. Get up higher than your subject, or shoot from the ground up. Frame shots diagonally or sideways to make an interesting composition.
Make sure that your camera and camera equipment have cases that protects them whenever they aren't in use. Many times, the reason for cameras and other photography-related accidents, is because its owner did not protect their equipment. You can find these cases at any electronics store that sells cameras.
Try experimenting with different colors and angles, and all the different features located on your camera. You do not need an original object to take a high-quality picture. A good photographer makes even insignificant objects look interesting. Experiment to find your style.
Now that you are familiar with the ins and outs of photography, you can go out there and put your skills to use. Who knows, you might even develop these skills and become a photographer professionally in the future.
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