In order to start taking great photos, you need to learn the basics. By making sure you cover the basics, you will avoid the common mistakes that plague beginners.
When you are photographing nature, steer clear of taking photos that include a sky that is overcast. A gray sky is going to make your pictures look washed-out. Black and white photos can work better if shot on overcast days. If the sky is blue and beautiful, include it as much as you want, but pay attention to the light.
Don’t be afraid to break some photography rules with your camera. A successful photographer should develop a style of his or her own and capture the world as he or she sees it. Don’t do the things that have been done several times before. Use unique angles that show off your creative side.
You should create depth and perspective when photographing landscapes. Get a sense of scale by having a person or object placed in the foreground. If you set a small aperture, one that is not greater than f/8 (for many digital cameras that are made for consumers), or f/16 (on a full-frame SLR) you will notice that your foreground and background look sharp.
Contrary to popular belief, gorgeous, sunny days are a photographer’s worst nightmare. You can’t take proper photographs if you or your subject is standing directly in the sun’s path. One or both of you will be uncomfortable, and the sun’s glare can make your subject difficult to see in the finished photograph. The sunlight often creates shadows and glare; also, the bright light causes many people immediately squint as they are photographed. If you can, try to choose late evening or early morning light to shoot outdoors.
Pay attention to your lighting, and adjust the white balance if necessary. Shooting indoors can give your pictures a yellowish tint due to the light bulbs. You could change the room’s lighting, but instead look to your camera’s white balance setting. It can completely change the feel of the room. This should give a much more professional looking appearance to your photographs.
When traveling, photograph your souvenirs as you purchase them. Consider photographing the store that sold you the item, or just take a photo of the item against a unique background. When you do this, you have a nice, ready-made way of sharing the story of your souvenir hunting expedition!
Now you can see how easy it is to take better shots and produce great-looking photographs. You must do your research, and practice to try and get better skills consistently. Your hard work will be worth it when you see the quality of your photographs improve.