We are often led to believe that you need a whole host of expensive equipment and a degree in order to take good photographs. Of course, this is far from being the case. Actually, taking great photographs is much more about learning some basic rules of composition. As long as you know those, you will find that your photography skills are vastly improved in a short space of time. And as we shall see, you don’t need to spend hundreds upon hundreds on equipment in order to take decent photos. In this article, we are going to take a look at some of the expert tips and pieces of advice for taking better, more captivating, photography. If you want to know how to capture the moment in style, read on to find out how.
Frame It First
It might sound simple, but to begin with you need to know what you are actually photographing. The fact is, most people don’t really think about it when they are taking photos – they just point and click, and worry about it later. This might be fine for holiday snaps and so on, but if you want to take photos that look professional, then you need to think about how the shot is put together before you even look through your lens (or look at your screen). Try to figure out the composition of the shot, see it in your mind’s eye. If you have seen a plant or flower, and you would like to photograph it, work around it from many different angles and see what looks best. Remember that you need to take into account anything that might be in the background, where the focus should be, what kind of colours there are and whether they are complimentary or clashing, and so on. There is plenty to consider before you even take the photograph. A lot of this will seem difficult to get used to at first, but with time you will find that it becomes easier and easier. For now, make a vow to stop for a second and think about the photo before you pick your camera up.
Consider The Light
Lighting is one of the most important elements in all photography, and when you are taking naturalistic photographs it can also be one of the biggest frustrations. Too often, the light levels seem to be all off for what you are trying to achieve, and many photographers know the frustration of wishing that the sun was shining either a bit less or a bit more fully! However, you have to work with what you have been given in the moment, and that is the best attitude you can possibly have. You should also remember that there is nothing that says you have to take the photo today. If it is not an action shot, and you can come back to the same spot at a later time, then you could always try another day when you are happier with the light levels. At the very least, you need to think about what the light is doing in your photo, and whether or not it is adding or subtracting from the image. With more consideration comes a greater photograph.
Make The Most Of The Equipment You Have
One of the biggest mistakes that those just starting out in photography make is that they think they can’t get anywhere until they have a better camera, proper equipment and so on. Actually, this is nonsense. These days, you can take fantastic photos with your smartphone if you know how – and learning how is not that hard. What’s more, the Internet abounds with landscape photography tips for smartphones and many pieces of advice around smartphone photography, so it shouldn’t be too hard to learn what you need to learn in order to get going. Don’t be afraid to use your phone – if anything, it will afford you a great opportunity to learn the essentials of photography before you do splash out on that expensive equipment.
Slow Down & Check Later
It is worth remembering that many of the best photographers have learned the art of slowing down, carefully considering their subject, and leaving the checking over until later on. In other words, take your time with your shots – you will have a steadier hand, you will find that you are able to capture just as many interesting moments, and you will be happier with the results. And wait until you get home to check over the individual shots. All that time spent staring at the screen only means you are missing more potential moments to capture.
