Learn Digital Photography – Top Ten Tips for Fantastic Photos

The title of this article may sound simplistic and that if you put these few tips into practise you’ll be taking fantastic photos in no time. In a sense this is true. But, the factor of time and the diligence you put into it is what will determine the success of your efforts. If you take the time the tips will make the difference in your photography journey.

So here are the tips. The question is, how do you incorporate them into your photography? The most important factor is structure. Don’t try to do it all at once. Learn to master each step and implement it gradually into your photography. The key is mastering it. Don’t move on to the next one until you are competent with the previous.

Here are the steps, look at them carefully and start learning.

1. Look your subject in the eye

This means getting down to the level of the subject if necessary and getting your camera level with the subject’s eyes. This is especially so if you are photographing a child. The whole dynamic of the photo changes as this makes it more personal and draws the eye in to the photo.

2. Get in closer

Your goal is to fill your image with as much of the subject as possible. Use your feet before you zoom and exclude any unnecessary clutter. Don’t get in too close as this will result in blurred images.

3. Use a plain background

This will lift your subject off the background. When looking through the viewfinder take note of what is in the background before focusing on the subject. No chimneys growing out of heads or bushes growing out of ears.

4. Move the subject from the centre

The centre of an image is not the best place for your subject. Imagine a grid across your image dividing it into thirds. Two lines horizontally and two vertically. Where the lines intersect is where you place your subject. This will bring your photo to life.

5. Be aware of the light

After the subject the most important aspect of a photo is the light. Know where it comes from and place your subject relative to it. Strong light from the side will bring out the texture of an old building. Soft light on a cloudy day will soften the wrinkles of an old person. Shooting landscapes early or late in the day will give a golden light.

6. Turn your camera

We all tend to take photos holding the camera level in a horizontal format. That’s the way cameras are made. Change the format. Take photos using the vertical format. Many subjects look better in this format. Lighthouses, the Eiffel tower or a portrait of a child all look better shot vertically.

7. Direct your images

Take charge of people in your images. Tell them clearly where to stand and what to do. Choose the location and the setting. Get them to face the direction you want or closer or further away from the camera.

8. Use your flash outdoors

Natural light can cause harsh shadows to fall across faces. You can eliminate these shadows by lightening the face with flash. We call this fill in flash. You’ll find a setting on your camera for this. If you are further than 5 feet use the flash on full power. On cloudy days fill in flash will brighten shadows.

9. Put the sun behind you

The best place to shoot from is when the sun is behind you and slightly to the side. The full frontal lighting will bring out the colour and lighting from the slight side angle will produce a little shadow and bring out the texture and form.

10. Hold steady

Many photographers have the problem of blurry images because they don’t hold or support their cameras properly. Use both hands resting your elbows on your chest or holding them tightly to your side. Relax and don’t tense. Take a deep breath, exhale and press the shutter. Use a support like a wall or pole to steady yourself and if the situation allows use a tripod.

These are just a few tips that will immediately improve your images as you apply them one step at a time to your photography. Plan your time to shoot and structure your learning to get optimum growth in your photography journey.

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