How to take a good picture?

One of the questions that I continuously get from some of my friends and blog readers that just got into photography is “How can I take good pictures with what I have, without spending too much money on new cameras and lenses?”. Ever since DSLRs became more affordable and people started buying entry-level DSLRs, there has been a great interest in photography from the general public. One big obstacle everybody runs against at one point or another, is the fact that when most professional photographers show the equipment they used to make great-looking images, it creates an impression that only expensive gear can produce great photographs. What happens from there, really boils down to the wallet and how serious a person wants to get into photography – some start buying expensive gear and thinking it will help them to take good pictures and improve their photography, while others hold off and just keep their DSLRs as “point and shoots”, realizing that they can’t do any better with what they have.

How to take good pictures with an entry-level D-SLR

1) Don’t leave your camera at home

This might sound awkward, but how good is your camera if you leave it at home? I have missed so many great photo opportunities just because I forgot to take the camera with me. Whether it is something silly or totally unique, having a camera with you might get you those rare, once-in-a-lifetime moments.

2) Take lots of pictures

The more you photograph, the more you learn – as simple as that. Use every opportunity to capture images, whether it is early in the morning or late at night. By taking lots of pictures, you will start to understand how to use your camera in different lighting conditions and what works and what doesn’t. At the same time, when your pictures do not come out as good, you will start doing more research and reading articles, books, magazines and online forums to try to find a solution to your problem. Eventually, you will learn from your mistakes and will gain a great deal of knowledge on how to use your gear effectively.

3) Visit local zoos, botanic gardens, butterfly pavilions and animal sanctuaries

Photographing wildlife can get very expensive and risky. If you do not own a long telephoto lens, you can try checking out your local zoo or animal sanctuary for great photo opportunities. Bigger zoos with plenty of open space are great for photography, because fences and other man-made objects are not as noticeable. You can get pretty close to some animals and capture great moments.Botanic gardens and butterfly pavilions are great for macro/close-up photography. You can experiment with flowers, butterflies and other insects at different times of the day and not only learn a lot during the process, but also capture beautiful images. Everybody loves flowers and butterflies!

4) Join local and online photography clubs and shoot with the pros

Search online for photography clubs in your area and you will most likely find at least several local photography clubs. Many of those clubs are either free or have very small monthly membership fees. Join one or several of those clubs and not only will you learn from other photographers, but also you will get access to valuable information on local events that might be worth attending and photographing. Find advanced photographers and pros, who are really good at what they do and ask if you can assist them in any of their jobs. You’ll be surprised by how friendly and helpful many of the photographers are and you will learn a lot from those folks.

5) Consider photography workshops

If you have some extra money, consider investing in a photography workshop. Workshops can be as cheap as $20-50 for a session in a large auditorium or as expensive as several thousand dollars if you are in a small group with a well-known photographer. Workshops are good for those who want to learn photography quickly from real pros. Personally, I have never attended a workshop and didn’t mind spending extra time reading books/articles and learning from other photographers. There are plenty of workshops available online for free or in subscription-based websites such as Kelby Training as well.

6) Get down and dirty

If you are still taking most of your pictures standing straight, at your eye level, then you should start experimenting with angles. Try to get down on your knees or even try laying on the ground to get a different perspective. Getting low can yield great results, especially when photographing people and animals.

7) Learn how to take sharp pictures

I suggest reading my article on taking sharp photos and avoiding image blur. Soft and blurry images can be very disappointing and if you have a problem with creating sharp photographs, this article will definitely be very helpful for you.

8) Use a Circular Polarizer for landscape photography

I have just finished an article on how to use a circular polarizer that you should take a look at. This kind of goes against what I have said above about shooting with what you own, but I consider a polarizer to be an essential tool in every photographer’s bag, so I highly recommend that you try one if you have never done it before, especially for landscape photography.

9) Use a tripod

If you do not already own a tripod, I recommend getting one as soon as you can. Why? Because a tripod will open up new opportunities for low-light photography for you. You can experiment with the light at night and capture really beautiful images of things that come into life at night. A tripod can let you capture sharp photographs of non-moving subjects and blur out moving subjects, creating very interesting and dynamic photographs.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Modern Day Work Life and the Role of AI

  Modern Day Work Life and the Role of AI Introduction The modern workplace has undergone a radical transformation in the last decade, driven by technological innovation, globalization, and—more recently—the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). From virtual offices and hybrid work models to intelligent automation and data-driven decision-making, today's work life looks nothing like it did even five years ago. At the center of this revolution is AI, a force that is not just enhancing productivity but also reshaping the very nature of work. Whether it's streamlining business operations or offering personalized employee experiences, AI's impact on work life is profound and multi-dimensional. The Evolution of Modern Work Life Gone are the days when work was confined to 9-to-5 office hours and limited to desktop computers and paper files. The modern workplace is now defined by: Remote and Hybrid Models : Employees work from anywhere—homes, co-working spac...
Read more

Using Technology for Right or Wrong

Image
Using Technology for Right or Wrong Vasant Raval, DBA, CISA, ACMA | Published: 4/11/2016 3:08 PM | Permalink | Email this Post | Comments (0) Technology, including its byproducts, is most likely value-neutral. By itself, it seems unable to commit any wrongdoing. And yet, we find so many scenarios in which technology provides a breeding ground for nurturing a wrongful act, as if luring people to take advantage of it. Features offering anonymity, as in the case of e-currency, offer confidentiality assurance. But they could also mask illegitimate or illegal transactions. Bitcoin can neither prevent, nor should it promote, illegal use of its currency system. But then, once the system is open for everyone’s use, who would guard against morally or legally improper use of the system? Apparently, technology appears to be a weak partner in the process of prevention or detection of moral compromises, but this may change in the future. Remoteness from the locus of impact of a transaction s...
Read more