Below we have complied our top 10 tips to improve your photography, some of these tips don’t just pertain to DSLR camera’s they can be used for all your photography be that with your pro camera or even your mobile phone!
Feel free to share these with your friends via social media. If you are interested in learning more about your camera and taking great shots read below and maybe consider joining us on a retreat or workshop, all the courses and workshops we currently have in the system are here.
#1 Take More Photos Outside
There’s nothing better than natural light to illuminate your subjects. When you photograph outside, you don’t usually have to use a flash, and it makes the subjects much more colourful and vibrant. It is essential to make sure the sun is behind you so it is lighting up your subjects from the front or partial side. If the sun is behind your subject, you will find you’ll have to use a flash.
#2 Take Photos at Sunset or Sunrise
A good photographer will tell you that these are the best hours to take photographs. Why might this be, it’s because the light comes in from an angle, and it isn’t nearly as direct or harsh which can cause “blow outs” in your images. This gives your subjects a nice and natural orange glow. And if you catch it early enough, you can see some amazing pink and purple colours from the sky. The angle of the sun also accentuates shadows, creating more excitement in your photos.
#3 Get Up Close
To often people are too far away from their subjects when they take photos. When you get up close and personal, the main subject should fill the frame and becomes the most important element in the image. I’d recommend getting within a few feet of your subject. Some point-and-shoot cameras don’t have the best lenses, so you’ll need to do this in order to completely fill the frame with your subject.,/span>
#4 Don’t put the Subject in the Middle of the Image
You will find the most interesting photos are those with the subject just slightly off of centre. Apply the rule of thirds, divide the frame into thirds and place your subject in one of the upper, lower, left, or right thirds. This creates movement in the photo, making it a great deal more visually appealing.
#5 Try to Avoid using your Camera’s Digital Zoom
The digital zoom is what happens when you keep zooming in past your camera’s optical zoom limit. When you use this function, you aren’t really zooming in, you’re actually cropping your image. The next time you’re out photographing, avoid using the digital zoom and just get closer up to your subject. You’ll see a striking improvement in the resolution and quality of your photos.
#6 When taking Portraits, have the Subject show their Real Emotions
The last things you want are dull and boring photos. You can stop it! When you’re taking them, have fun and try to get your subject to laugh or show just how they feel . Tell them to act like they’ve just won the lotto and are dreaming of where they are going to go or how to spend the money. Anything you can say to get a response is a good thing and will make your photos so much more interesting.
#7 The More Shots the Merrier
The days of film have gone, the digital era allows us much more flexibility when taking photos and it doesn’t cost. You’re not fully taking advantage of your digital camera if you aren’t taking as many pictures as possible. I suggest you keep snapping away. I always delete the bad ones later on, and you’ll have many more pictures to choose the good ones from. In fact the new problem is choosing from all the good ones!
#8 Continuous Mode
Many cameras, both digital SLRs and point-and-shoot models, have a continuous fire mode that allows you to keep taking photos while you hold down the shutter button. This is very handy when you’re trying to capture action sequences, like on the sports field or a bug or bird moving or flying. Check out your camera settings for this function.
#9 Attempt Unusual Angles
Try not facing directly at your subjects. Some of the most interesting images happen when you’re prepared to experiment. Get down low, up high, move to the side of your subject, or try placing something in front of your camera to shoot over or under or to the side of. You will find your photos will be much more creative.
#10 Take Your Camera Everywhere!
So often we hear, oh I wish I had that shot, carry your camera everywhere you go, you never know when the perfect shot may present itself, it maybe just around the next corner!
