Capturing life’s special moments, in a meaningful way, is possible for anyone who goes out of their way to learn the nuances of photography. Though anyone can purchase a camera, not every person who holds one, will truly master it. Mastering the art of photography is a process that is learned and anyone who seeks out information can become a great photographer. Follow these tips to achieve your maximum potential behind the lens of your camera.
Don’t be afraid of taking pictures. If you use the wrong settings, it’s okay. Go ahead and take the picture anyway. If you want to photograph a person or pet, go up and ask if it’s okay; create a release form to sign if it makes you more comfortable. Just go do it!
A great photography tip is to simply experiment. Don’t be afraid of trying out new things. Try to light your subject in a different way or capture it from a new angle. Trying out new things like this can help you keep a fresh and creative perspective.
You can do a lot to change the quality of your pictures by adjusting the focus of the shot. What is your primary subject? This doesn’t always have to be in the center of the photo. Having your subject in the lower right hand or left hand corner, for example, can increase dramatic aspects of your picture.
Many cameras allow you to set the white balance. This setting tells the camera which colors to see as highlights. When shooting in artificial light (indoors) set the while balance setting to the “artificial light” mode. It will make your photos look as if they were shot in natural light.
Keeping your camera very steady is the key in shooting images that are crisp and very sharp. Many cameras have an automatic stabilizer built right into it to allow for some leeway. If you are still having problems keeping your camera steady, invest in some kind of a tripod.
A good photography tip that can help you is to try taking a lot of different pictures of the same subject. This is a great way to help you become more creative. You’ll be forced to try everything you can to get an interesting, yet unique shot every time.
Take photographs of souvenirs and mementos gathered during your travels. You might take a shot of the store, or photograph the item in its original setting. Photographs showing you with your souvenir, or the place you purchased it, can place the objects in the context of your travels and remind you of the moment you made the purchase.
Learn when to break the rules and defy conventions. The more you look at other people’s pictures, the more you will notice common treatment of popular objects. Do your best to adopt a different style. Approach conventions and trends as something you can learn from, but do not reproduce them in your art.
Now that you have been enlightened by these simple photographic tips, grab your camera and get out there. That “magic moment” is just a click away, and the world won’t stop spinning. So let your imagination run free, then capture the results for posterity. Only you can tell the photographic story that unfolds from your own unique point of view.