Photography Tips

By Kinan Bran

INTRODUCTION

With today's automatic cameras almost anyone can produce a sharp, well-exposed image. What will set you apart from other photographers is how well you compose your images, and a better understanding of how light can affect your photos.

The following will help you improve your photos and create images that stand-out. Most people reading this, I will assume, own a small digital camera.

They're cheap to buy, easy to use, and produce instant results. If you're still using film then you're either a traditionalist who refuses to make the switch, or you've been living under a rock for the past decade.

So for those of you with a digital point-and-shoot, here are a few tips for getting to know your camera better. Firstly, read the manual. It sounds obvious but have you actually taken time to find out what all the buttons do? Secondly, practice, practice and more practice.

And don't be afraid to try different settings apart from auto. It is digital after all, so if it doesn't work, just delete and try again.

Follow the rule of thirds
When composing a photo, try to imagine that the screen is divided into three horizontal and three vertical sections. Placing your subject off-centre, near the intersections of the imaginary grid lines will make for a more interesting and dynamic photo.

Also, place the horizon on the top or bottom line to add emphasis to the ground or the sky.

Pay attention to linesand patterns
Curves, straight lines, and diagonals add energy and

movement to your compositions and lead the viewer's eye in a specific direction.

Watch for natural geometric patterns and place yourself at an

interesting angle to them. But try toavoid wonky horizons unless it's intentional.

Get close
Fill the frame. Don't leave any boring space around your subject,

or a background with distracting elements. 

There's nothing worse than a pylon growing out of your subject's head. Zoom in closer or take a few steps towards your subject to eliminate the cluttered background.

Try different angles
Don't just go for the boring straight-on shot.

Get down low and shoot against the sky. Or if the opportunity is there,

try framing your subject with an interesting foreground,

such as an overhanging tree which will create a natural frame.

Focus
The human eye is naturally drawn to elements that are in focus. The cameras auto-focus will always focus on what is in the centre of the frame. But in case your subject is off-centre then you will need to pre-focus on the subject and recompose before taking the photo.

It is easy to achieve and with most digital cameras this is done by pressing down halfway on the shutter button which will lock the focus.

Light
Using light correctly - natural light, flash, or a combination of both - will greatly improve the look of your photos. The best time of day for natural light is early in the morning or late in the evening when the sun is low and shadows can be used to add depth and form to your subject, always making it more interesting.

An important point to keep in mind is to try and avoid shooting portraits of people in bright sunlight. You will only succeed in creating harsh shadows across the face, which are not interesting or appealing. If you have to, add a bit of a fill-in flash to bring out the shadows, most digital cameras have this function.

Shooting in low light requires a slow shutter speed and a steady hand. It is best to use a tripod, when attempting to shoot fireworks you will need a tripod to hold the camera steady.

If you're shooting a fast moving object in low light you'll often find your photos are blurred. Try using the sport mode on your camera and panning to create the impression of movement.

Colour
Different colours convey different emotions;

red will create a warm feel for your shots, and blue

and green have a cooling effect. Contrasting colours such as red and green add drama to a photo, whereas using shades of the same colour will create a sense of harmony. Avoid using too much red in a shot; it is the universal colour of danger.

Be ready!
Take lots of pictures. With digital it's free.

Always have your camera at the ready;

you never know when that shot-of-a-lifetime will come along.