From Still Life To Sittings: Tips For Mastering Photography: by FK dates
You have made the decision to develop your creative and technical skills as a photographer. If you are shooting a person, getting closer also allows to capture their facial expressions with greater clarity. If your subject is positioned too far away, it becomes more difficult to capture the minor details.
Pictures of off-beat and smaller objects can be a fun addition to your travel scrapbook. These photographs might feel unimportant, or even a bit silly, as you're taking the pictures; but they can add to your memories and help recreate an interesting story. You can also take photographs of everyday items from a variety of perspectives.
Use other photographers to get inspired. The photos taken by other people can give you ideas about the many ways there are to capture a scene.
Make sure your batteries are always charged so that you never miss an incredible shot. Digital cameras can suck up a lot of battery power, the LCD screen has a lot to do with this, make sure you have your batteries fully charged. It is also a good idea to carry around spare batteries. This way you will never miss out on a great shot.
Consider documenting your souvenirs with photography during your travels. Take a picture either of the store or the souvenir together with the original. This photographic memento creates a lasting memory of the context in which you made your purchase and makes it even more meaningful when you return home.
Be sure to shoot your photographs without any hesitation, to ensure you get a picture that you will be happy with. 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. Expressions can change, animals will run away, and the mood you associate with a landscape can disappear. Don't worry about perfecting the settings if it means risking losing a good shot.
Drop the background focus when you are photographing people. Having a sharply focused background can detract from your subject matter, making it difficult for any viewers of your photo to focus the way you intend them to. This loss of focus is achievable by increasing the distance between the person and the background.
Network with other photographers through the local photography club or take photos with a partner. There is much to be learned from other people in this field, but make sure to maintain your own personal style. Compare the stylistic differences between photos you both took of the same object.
Pre-focus your camera and move slightly. Your subject will not be in the exact center of your picture. Centering has come to be expected, and can seem rather boring to many. Shooting a photo that is not exactly centered on the subject may produce more interesting results for your viewers.
Do you now feel more comfortable with developing your own photography style? Have you determined where to begin? Are you aware of what works and what does not work for you? If you know the answers to these questions, you are armed with knowledge now that you can use to take better pictures.
