Photography can be a great way to save memories of special times. Learning how to shoot great pictures can take a matter of hours, but can blossom into a hobby or even full-blown passion. A few basic tips for photography will have even the most novice camera-user snapping away in no time.
One of the best tips for photography troubleshooting is to invest in a tripod. Tripods are three-legged devices that a camera attaches to for a steady frame. With a tripod, shaky hands or windy conditions simply will not matter, as the firmly planted device holds the camera perfectly steady.
A tripod is also a great idea for shooting at night or in low light conditions. Most cameras will automatically lower the shutter speed when light conditions are poor. A slower shutter means that motion blur is more pronounced, making it easier to end up with photographs that are blurred and out of focus. In lieu of a tripod, consider setting up the camera on a desk or table in order to ensure a perfectly still frame.
Lighting conditions can greatly affect the quality and look of pictures. Almost all tips for photography begin with this mandate: read the instruction booklet that comes with the camera. Most digital cameras have different automatic settings that respond to light color and temperature. For instance, consider using the tungsten setting indoors, where light sources are typically more yellow or orange in color. Reading the instructions can teach novices about how to set the camera's automatic functions and even give tips for photography using manual settings.
Using the rule of thirds is one of the most useful tips for photography of people or portraits. While looking through the viewfinder at the frame of the photo, divide the photo into thirds both vertically and horizontally. The eyes of the subject should be on the bottom line of the top middle box. This cuts out excess head room and makes the subject the main focus of the picture.
If using a film camera, remember that motion blur decreases as film speed increases. To film sports events or things in motion, a relatively fast film is required. However, the downside to faster film is that higher speeds result in more graininess and a lower level of contrast. While a high-speed picture may look good in a small print, it will look worse the larger the image is made. The key to good film photographs is a careful balance between speed and image quality.
Probably one of the most important tips for photography is to not be afraid to experiment. With a digital camera, hundreds of images can fit on one small memory card, making experimentation easy and fun. Take twenty pictures of an object at different settings instead of one or two; true, only a few may look good, but the perfect shot is more likely to show up if a photographer is fearlessly experimenting.
