If you’re finding that a lot of your pictures are coming out with the same kind of style and lacking something that you can’t quite put your finger on, try trying something new. There are an infinite number of ways to get a good shot on any one item or place. In this article, we’ll supply you with a few suggestions that can help change the kind of images you end up with.
Try different perspectives, and take original photos. A great picture should show the world a unique point of view, and exhibit unmistakable personal style. Stay away from taking classic pictures that people have seen a million times. Find unique angles, and do not be afraid to let your creative side loose.
Be creative and unique with your subjects. You don’t want to take the same old photo every other photographer has done. Look for unique shots that people haven’t seen before. Choose interesting subjects that aren’t going to bore anyone who sees them. If you want to make a name for yourself, this is essential.
As you take photographs, also take notes. As your collection grows, it will become more and more difficult to remember the details, such as where and when you took a particular shot. Use a small notepad to write numbers next to the pictures’ descriptions.
When photographing young children, time and patience is your best friend. Children are taught to “say cheese” whenever a camera is focused on them, inevitably creating artificial, fake smiles – or worse. Ideally, a child will become comfortable being photographed when the pressure to “perform” is removed. Simply encourage them to go about their normal activities and then follow them around with your camera, clicking when they naturally smile or are obviously enjoying their surroundings.
Do not forget to take pictures of yourself. You can still compose the background and choose how you want to use light and colors. Give instructions to a friend and look at the preview before you go pause. These pictures will be nice memories when you look back at them.
You have to be quick! Work on your reflexes so you can take faster pictures! It will take practice, but you need to get quick with your equipment. Don’t let a once in a lifetime shot pass you by because you were busy fumbling with cases and caps. Find portable camera storage that will provide easy access.
When working with flowers or a lot of natural subject matter outside, try to take your shots on an overcast day. It seems like it wouldn’t provide enough light, but it will surprise you. This kind of diffused light eliminates any unwanted shadows making it the perfect time to shoot subjects outside.
Experiment with silhouettes. Many people rely on the sun to create a natural silhouette; however, there are many different ways to reproduce this effect. Any background that produces bright light will display the subject in silhouette, providing the subject is not as bright as the background. You can establish artificial light in the background or position your subject before a source of light, such as a window, if you want to create a silhouette image. However, be aware that the silhouette image may call attention to a less-than-flattering aspect of your subject.
Sometimes you need to take a picture of a picture. This can be a bit tricky, especially if it is a digital picture, such as a JPEG. Your camera does come prepared though. Try using your camera’s white balance presets to get the best light for these types of images.
Tell a story! Think about the story behind the photo before you take it. It will not only give your photo more meaning to you, but it will give your viewer a story line to imagine as they take in your photo. No photo is meaningless, but a picture with a story is captivating!
Do not underestimate the disposable camera as a way to take wonderful photos. The technology has improved, and you can take shots equal to, and even better than, your durable film camera. Many disposable models also offer a built in zoom feature. New disposables are not the same old junk cameras they were ten years ago.
There are some occasions where over exposure can add a gorgeous perspective to a photo. This will make the photo look clean and simple. Making the image brighter than it really is a technique, that when done correctly, can add a beautiful effect to a simple photo that may otherwise be bland.
Now that you have a handful of new ideas to help improve your photography style, have fun and try to see how many of them work for you. You may find that all of them improve your pictures, or you may find that some just don’t add what you’re looking for to the style they already have. Most importantly, just have fun!
