Photography is a lot more that just trying to take a clear shot of something in decent lighting. It is definitely a form of art. There are many different techniques that can be used in photography. You will want to look for things that are interesting and appealing to the eye, and pay attention to detail. Here is some advice you can use to get your started.
Shoot photos of a wide range of individuals. You should always ask permission first. When you travel, seeing these pictures can remind you of the memories involved, even if they contain average people in them. Aim for shots of casual candidness.
Move and look at your subject from different angles. Depending on the impression you want to convey, try shooting your subject from different sides or from above and below.
If you like the creative feeling an old camera gives you, consider buying some vintage gear in a second hand shop. Try getting some black and white film that has a ISO 200 rating; it is the best for all situations. Use different types of paper when you develop your prints, for example a fiber-based paper.
Learn a valuable art in composition by learning that less is more when it comes to your photos. Make sure that you do not have too much clutter going on in your photos as the setting stands, or by adding it yourself. Simplicity is an art in itself, so apply this to your photographs.
Look around for good subjects for your photos, any time you are on the road. To find some help in choosing your starting point, check out some postcards! Study the postcards, taking note of the subject matter and the way the photographer shot the pictures to take advantage of some specific qualities of the subject, then use these techniques when taking your own photos.
Your landscape photos need three important things. A balanced landscape picture should have a foreground, midground and background. These same principles apply to landscape painting.
Be conscious of the natural light. If you are taking pictures outside, then work with the light by staging your sessions early in the morning or late in the afternoon. When the sun goes high in the sky, there can be undesirable shadows cast and the subject may squint because of the harsh light. Use sunlight, candlelight and artificial light to see how each affects the subject of your photographs.
Shoot quickly when you take a photo. You never know when that perfect shot will occur, or if something may cause your subject to leave. Taking your shots quickly ensures you are always ready to capture that ideal image. Some special moments are only available to photograph for a few seconds and then they are lost forever. Don’t worry about perfecting the settings if it means risking losing a good shot.
Manually adjust the white balance before you snap a photo. This is an easy way to get a more professional looking photo. You can allow for a learning curve while you start out in photography, and you will find that using manual white balance can let you get really creative.
You can now see that taking a good photograph is more than taking a well-lit, sharp picture. Doing so may have a dramatic impact on how good your photos look.