Learn to take great photos

Photo by luizclas

Originally Posted On: https://www.joerobertsonphotography.com/journal/learn-to-take-great-photos

Photography is one of the most exciting hobbies that exist, but when you are at the beginning, it can all seem a little complicated. But don’t be discouraged! That is why digital photography is great – you can take and delete photos countless times.

Here are some of the most important digital photography tips (rules):

You bought a new camera, started enthusiastically taking photos of everything around you, but after a while, you realized that your photos do not feel like the photos you see on the Internet or in magazines. Wondering what the problem is? Why do your photos look like ordinary snapshots? One of the most common answers to these questions is that you missed the lecture about composing rules.

Ancient Greeks discovered that there are certain points of interest in images that attract our brains. It is based on composing rules that will allow your photos to look more attractive, balanced, and pleasing to the eye.

The most basic composing rule originated long before the photography as we know it today. It was first written in 1797 by John Thomas Smith. Rule of thirds says it is necessary to divide your photograph into nine equal parts by cutting it with two vertical and two horizontal lines at regular intervals. You will get nine equal rectangles and four points of intersection. These lines and points of intersection that are the parts of a photograph are where its key elements should be located.

Sometimes a potentially good photo fails because some basic rules are forgotten. Holding the camera still is essential for a sharp photo.
When you press the shutter button, do it gently, as even a small movement of the camera can cause a blurry photo. Find suitable support (table, fence, car roof) for your hand or use a small tripod.

Aperture is a shutter that stands over the lens. When the aperture opens, it lets light into the camera. If the aperture opens more, more light enters the camera. If it opens less, less light enters.

The aperture measure is called the f-number. You can see it on the screen of your digital camera. If the f-number is higher, the aperture is more closed. If the f-number is smaller, the aperture is more open. Yes, contrary to what would be logical.

On most digital cameras, the f-number is somewhere between 2 and 22, although a larger range is also possible. If f-number is 2, it means that the aperture is completely open. If it is 22, it means that the aperture is almost completely closed, and that very little light enters the camera.

If you are shooting in an environment where the lighting is dim (say at dusk, or indoors), you need a larger aperture, so that more light can enter the camera. For extremely strong light (desert at noon), use a smaller aperture, or too much light will enter the camera..

Enough light is necessary to expose the film in your camera, but good light makes a photo successful. Remember that strong sunlight is not always the best light for photography. Many are surprised to discover that the sun covered by clouds provides the best lighting for shooting people. The very strong sun gives sharp shadows on the face and makes the captured person blink. The cloudy sky gives a soft light that is ideal for portraits.

The flash built into your camera is not only useful at night and indoors. Use it at dusk and in strong sunlight to soften harsh shadows.

Make sure that the background and its content do not distract the subject. A simple and unobtrusive background highlights the object. If you do not like what your photo looks like, find a better shooting angle, or simply change the location.

As a rule, the closer you are to the subject, the better the photo. Zooming eliminates unwanted background that distracts from the subject. Shoot by filling the image with a clear and interesting motif. Many simpler cameras cannot shoot at a distance of fewer than 3 feet.

As mentioned earlier, daylight is best early in the morning, evening, or when it is cloudy. So choose some of these moments to photograph the beautiful beach scenery. Perhaps best early in the morning, when the beach is not crowded. If you want a famous photography beach scene – sunset, prepare in advance by finding out when the sun sets and arriving at the location of the photoshoot an hour earlier.

Now after learning about digital photography, all that is left for you to do is to pick up the camera and practice the previously explained tips and rules!

Canon EOS R Mirrorless Camera

Canon 430EX-III Flash

Canon Speedlite 600EX II-RT (for when I need a little extra power on the go!)

Canon ST-E3-RT Speedlite Transmitter

Sigma 35mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon

Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM (only for new RF mount mirrorless cameras from Canon)

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Have questions, feel free to contact me.