Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Creative And Practical Tips For Sharpening Your Photography Skills

By Ustim Rehsif


Photography has long been a passion for you but you feel as though you have room for improvement. You do not have a lot of time to spend by reading books or taking classes but would like some quick tips. This article is perfect for you and your photography interest.

Tripods are great pieces of photography equipment, but not everyone has one or can afford one for their shots. So, what can you do in the meantime to make sure that you have steady, sharp shots of your subject? Try leaning against something solid so that you can steady your hands and the camera.

Use lines in your shots to lead the eye through a composition. Fences, streams, buildings, roads, railroad tracks or trees can all work to draw the eyes toward certain features in the photo, almost like an arrow or path for the eye to follow. Try to incorporate these features wisely for better overall compositions.

Make sure the background you choose complements the subject of the photo. If you take a photo of a model against a busy background, the viewer's attention is going to be drawn to the background rather than the clothes. As a general rule, simple backgrounds with colors that contrast with those of the subject are ideal.

Don't try to pose your subjects for every picture. Candid, action shots are often times some of the best. You will capture a person in their natural setting, in their natural mood, and the picture will look more "real" because of it. Take lots of candid pictures and you're sure to get a few that are great.

When traveling, take pictures of your food. Take the time to play with lights, colors and compose your pictures. You might get used to the food by the time you come back home, but these pictures will look very original to you and your friends later when you reflect back on your trip.

Before you take that picture, make sure it will bring out the best in your subject! Get a feel for the backgrounds of all of your shots. Be aware of things close by and in the distance. Also, use that eye of yours to see how color will contrast with the subject of your photo. If the background and subject don't mesh well, you should find another spot!

Never stand below your subjects when photographing people or animals. There is nothing more unflattering than looking up a person's nose in a photograph, while the upward angle also distorts other facial features. In the very least, stand parallel to your subjects. If at all possible, position yourself at a slightly raised elevation to achieve the best results.

Consider how the viewer's eye will follow the shot. Good shots have at least one point that will focus the viewer's initial attention. Better shots have multiple points of interest that act as a virtual tour of the photo. Example include a defined skyline, lines on a road, or items in the foreground that stretch into the background.

Invest in scarves of many colors. It is a cheap prop that you can use to add color and dimension to your subject. Have your subject wear a plain color that will work well with many colors. Add the different colored scarves to the different shots and find the one that works best with the background and the subject's coloring.

After reading these tips, you can begin to understand what it takes to become a great photographer. There is a lot of information to be had and you need to know how to apply it. With this in mind, you can refine your own methods and start taking better photographs.




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