In these days of digital cameras, where everyone is constantly capturing the adventures and experiences of their lives, a good photograph really does say a thousand words.
People often ask me how they can improve the quality of their photographs, lamenting the fact that the expensive new camera they just bought doesn’t take the photos they were hoping it would, so today I’m sharing three things everyone that will make a huge difference to their pictures.
Expecting your camera to do all the creative work for you is a bit like buying a kitchen blow torch and assuming you can now cook a creme brulee. Photography is a bit like cooking: yes, you need quality equipment, but if you don’t know the basics and how to use your gear, you’re not going to produce anything really amazing.
So what does it take to move from “happy snaps”, which will suffice to remind you of a fun occasion but aren’t something you could serve to the in-laws for tea, to something a little more polished? Practice and a little leaning, that’s all.
Tip 1: Read your camera’s manual
I was given this piece of advice years ago and have been doing it ever since. Take the time to learn what all the buttons do and what other functions your camera has. In other words, learn about your camera. A lot of what you read might not make sense at first but will become clear as you play with your camera more. I have PDF versions of my manuals on my iPad and iPhone for reference. Also there are many independently written camera guides that can give a more hands-on idea of how to use your camera (just search “how to use” and the make and model). These guides can be really helpful, but still read the manual first.
My second tip may seem obvious but I’m always amazed at how few people do this…
Tip 2: Use your camera
Yep, that’s right, use your camera. Go for a walk and play with the various functions and buttons before that holiday or family function so, when the time comes, you know exactly how to capture that shot. Even if you intend to use your camera on automatic most of the time, knowing how to get the flash to do what you want or how to flip between auto settings can mean the difference between a priceless memory and a blurry photo where everyone has possum-in-headlights eyes.
Tip 3: Take lots but only if you’re learning from them
Taking millions of photos – because its digital and you can – is great but not if you don’t learn from the experience. Look at your photos on the camera’s display as you out taking them and then afterwards at home and see what worked and what did not.
Every time you use your camera, play around with the settings to see the effects they can have on the photograph you are taking, remembering to check the display in between shots.
When taking photos move around. Look for different angles to change how the image looks, get low to the ground, stand on a chair, get up close or move back a few paces. All this can make a massive difference to your photo and style. Again review these pictures when you get home and see what worked and what was not so good.
This is just the beginning of what you can do to make your photos a bit better. Stay tuned for more tips and please let us know if this post was helpful to you.
What do you struggle with when taking photos? Got any tips to share?