Photography is an excellent way to express creativity and lower the amount of stress you are experiencing. With so much of life only being seen once, being able to capture moments and then view them at a later time is a wonderful tool for reflection. It’s often said that each picture is worth 1000 words.
Don’t be afraid of taking pictures. If you use the wrong settings, it’s okay. Go ahead and take the picture anyway. If you want to photograph a person or pet, go up and ask if it’s okay; create a release form to sign if it makes you more comfortable. Just go do it!
Field depth is a critical feature when shooting landscapes. Have a person or other object put into the foreground in order to gauge the overall scale of the image. Setting a small aperture, no greater than f/8 with most consumer digital cameras or f/16 with a full-frame SLR, will provide sharpness to both the foreground and background.
Use the right lens for the job. If you are photographing a landscape, for example, you need a wide-angle lens that will let you capture as much of the scene as possible, while sporting events generally require a telephoto lens that let you capture faraway players in high detail. Knowing what lens to choose will make it much easier to produce quality photos.
Often, photographers only take into account the background in a landscape photo and forget about the foreground. The foreground will be the most viewed area once the photo comes out. Compose the foreground so that it creates a striking frame to increase your depth of field.
When photographing portraits, isolate your subject. Use a medium telephoto lens or the medium telephoto setting on your zoom. That, combined with a large aperture (try f/4 or larger), blurs the foreground and background. Focus on the eyes. Use diffused lighting for a flattering look. If outdoors, wait for an overcast sky or shoot with the subject in the shadows and the sun at your back.
When preparing for a trip, pack your equipment carefully. Double check that you have packed any essential items such as lenses, batteries and cleaning tools. Try and think what is most important on your trip and how convenient it is carry to carry around.
Positioning of the subject can make the difference between a good photo and a great photo. The subject should rarely be dead center in the middle of the photo. When taking your photo, try to position the subject in the upper, or lower third of the image. This effect works best when there is a horizon in the distance.
Always make sure that you are using the best shooting settings for your subjects. They differ depending upon the subject or the lighting. Generally though, you want to keep an eye on the ISO. Try to use the lowest ISO possible for the situation to avoid any grain in your shot.
Everybody likes looking at pictures. You can capture memories that would otherwise go unnoticed by simply taking photos. Doing photography can be fulfilling and wonderful for those involved. Sharing your pictures with people will help you express yourself and develop your artistic skills.