If you have explored a bit, most likely you can see that I love photography. Bonus points if you have read my “About Me” post. Then you know I got a point and shoot in 7th grade, fell in love with taking pictures but was quickly discouraged because I couldn’t get those beautiful creamy photos. Fast forward to my junior year of high school, I got my first DSLR and loved it
I read my owners manuals front to back over and over, still my pictures weren’t what I was wanting (and if I’m being completely honest they still aren’t) so i began exhaustive research online, mainly Pinterest. I was drowning just trying to get started so here are my tips for you if you’re just starting out
Start
I read and read trying to get better pictures but it wasn’t until I just started taking pictures of anything and everything; my dogs, decorations, flowers, grass, my sister, and even myself that I really began to grasp how my camera worked, what button did what and how to fix things. Slowly but surely I began noticing what made my photos better.
Get in Manual
You have to shoot in manual (my opinion, but I think it’s good advice) Maybe you are drowning in information on aperture, f-stops, exposure, shutter speed, blah blah blah and maybe you don’t even know what all the buttons, switches, and dials on your camera do! Well like I said in my first point just start shooting. If it takes you 20 pictures to get your camera set for one shot when you’re just starting that is fine! Get yourself a little cheat sheet: something similar to this and stick that baby in your camera bag if you need to:
But getting everything set on your own will help you to create more dramatic images and help you to develop stylistically. You have much more control over the pictures you are taking, it makes it easier to set the mood of your photos: darker for moody and intense or more light and airy!
Composition
You may have heard of the rule of thirds or maybe not. Here is a quick explanation “The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs. ... The horizon sits at the horizontal line dividing the lower third of the photo from the upper two-thirds.” Via Wikipedia
Not my image but it does a good job illustrating what the description means, if you google rule of thirds you can find an unlimited number of examples. For me I basically just compose my images however feels naturally for me, for my particular subject, and the type of picture I’m going for. Don’t be afraid to let someone fall out of the frame, shoot through some leaves, or let a light ray shine through. The pictures I usually end up liking the most are compositionally unusual. Sometimes I just decide to “go for it” and they end up being super cool pictures!
Take pictures from above or below your subject.
Be aware of the horizon line when you are shooting, putting your subject above the horizon can usually make images much more interesting.
Watch your background: a car, pole, wire, outlet, or pooping dog in the distance do not make for pretty backgrounds.
Don’t cut out feet if you are taking a full body picture (I am super guilty of this)
Just be as aware as possible of all aspects of your image, look at your whole frame and not just your subject.
Lighting
This is huge, I still struggle with shooting in low and incandescent lighting. But I have recently purchased some of these LED lights and let me tell you they have been a lifesaver! I definitely prefer natural lighting but NOT full sun. A nice overcast day is perfect, if only we could control the weather! If you do happen to be shooting at high noon on a cloudless day try to find somewhat if possible, it will soften your light and not leave harsh lines on faces. If you are at a wedding or some similar event where you have no control there really isn’t too terribly much you can do, just work to find the best angle where there aren’t too many shadows on faces. If you are shooting under trees watch for funky leaf shadows. You can also play with the location of your light. If you are shooting with a setting sun (Golden hours, the hour before sunset or hour after sunrise are the two best times to shoot) you can take some pictures with the sun from the back, silhouetting your subject or some from the front which will cast more of an orange “golden” light on your subject. There are lots of incredible things that you can do just by changing the lighting and the angle of the light!
These are my basics, there is so much more out there but if you’re just starting try here! Let me know how it goes!
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