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.
Don’t try to pose your subjects for every picture. Candid, action shots are often times some of the best. You will capture a person in their natural setting, in their natural mood, and the picture will look more “real” because of it. Take lots of candid pictures and you’re sure to get a few that are great.
Overcast skies aren’t great for pictures. Showing too much gray sky in photos will make pictures appear muted. If the sky is overcast, perhaps you should shoot the photograph in black and white. A bright, blue sky can create a lovely backdrop as long as you are careful not to overexpose the shot.
Do not use the flash on a camera unless you are in a darker location. Using a flash outdoors in a location that already has a lot of light will just make your picture come out too bright. Some cameras have an automatic flash setting so that your camera knows when the flash is needed.
Only select the best shots that you have if you are planning on showing your pictures to someone. This will help them form the highest possible opinion of you and your work, which is desirable if you are trying to land a job. Always present your best work to others.
The “S” stands for shutter speed. Use low shutter speed to get sharp pictures when capturing moving objects. Set the shutter speed to higher speeds for creating a more experimental picture. This is a cool feature to use when getting photos of fireworks or tail lights on a car. It is an easy way to get artistic features in your photos.
More often than not, taking a shot of a person will provide the best and most lively pictures. Get permission first. Pictures like these help you to find more vivid memories when you look back, even if at the time the people seemed unremarkable. Seek out spontaneous actions and everyday attire.
Along with taking shots of people, objects, nature and animals, also take pictures of your souvenirs when you travel. Make separate photo albums for each trip you have photographed. This photographic memento creates a lasting memory of the context in which you made your purchase and makes it even more meaningful when you return home.
If shooting outside or in an area that is bathed with outdoor lighting, confirm whether or not flash on the subject is appropriate. You want to turn it off if it is bathed in bright sunlight or other really bright conditions. Turn the flash back on when in heavy shadow or darker areas.
Always make sure that you are using the best shooting settings for your subjects. They differ depending upon the subject or the lighting. Generally though, you want to keep an eye on the ISO. Try to use the lowest ISO possible for the situation to avoid any grain in your shot.
Whether you want to pursue photography as a profession or just want to take better amateur photos, you should learn everything there is to know about photo composition. Just as it is true with any other form of art, your composition is key to creating awesome images. Learn and apply various best practices regarding composition to improve your photography.
If you are taking pictures of subjects near fluorescent lighting, you’ll need to manually set the white balance to correct for the tinting effect this causes. It’s all about lighting and color tones, so be very aware of how fluorescent bulbs can negatively affect your images.
Try framing all of your shots. It doesn’t have to be just a metal or a wooden frame, you can use a more natural one as well. It is possible to build a natural frame by looking for items in the picture. This is an ideal method to use when you want to practice getting a photo’s composition right.
Use manual white balance for taking your photos. This has a dramatic effect on the mood of the photo, and provides you with the ability to control the way your photos look. You can allow for a learning curve while you start out in photography, and you will find that using manual white balance can let you get really creative.
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!
