Thursday, March 15, 2012

Darkroom Secrets: Proper Photography Techniques For Amateurs

By Roz Demer


Capturing life's special moments, in a meaningful way, is possible for anyone who goes out of their way to learn the nuances of photography. Though anyone can purchase a camera, not every person who holds one, will truly master it. Mastering the art of photography is a process that is learned and anyone who seeks out information can become a great photographer. Follow these tips to achieve your maximum potential behind the lens of your camera.

When one is taking pictures they need to remain steady. This will ensure that the camera is focused on the subject that one is taking a picture of. If one has trouble keeping the camera steady they may want to consider investing in a tripod stand to place their camera on.

Use special care when you are taking pictures in nature. Take a moment to appreciate the scene, as well as, to make sure that you are leaving no traces. When you find a pristine spot from which to take beautiful pictures, try to keep it that way for the next photographer to discover.

You cannot take the perfect photograph if you do not have your camera, so keep it on you at all times. That amazing photo op can happen at any moment; and chances are, you are not going to have time to go back home and get your camera. Whether the sun is setting perfectly over the river or you catch a furry critter doing something photo-worthy, you need to be prepared to get the shot quickly.

A great photography tip is to make sure you keep your batteries warm when you're shooting in the cold. The cold tends to drain batteries very fast so you need to do whatever you can to keep them warm. Putting them in your pocket is an easy way to keep them warm.

Use manual white balance to spice up your photos. It is possible to let the camera decide the proper white balance for a given environment, but sometimes the camera will get it wrong and the photo will look washed out. Using a manual white balance also allows you to take artsy photos with sepia tones, for instance.

A good photography tip is to not get too carried away with having the best and newest equipment. Technology's always going to be improving and unless you're a millionaire, it's just not realistic to worry about getting the best camera. Try to make good use of what you have.

It's time for your tripod. Take it out of the closet and find the cable release. Still have those neutral density filters? Get them too. You're going for a night shoot at the school fair. You have arrived. See the pretty colored lighting at the booths and rides? You will photograph the Ferris wheel, exposing not for the overall scene but for the lights. Place the camera on the tripod and attach the cable release. Set the ISO low, at 100 or if possible, lower. Use a shutter speed of maybe fifteen seconds. Set the aperture at f/16 or smaller if your camera can do it this will make pinpoint lights look like stars. Take some test exposures and make adjustments, and use your neutral density filters if necessary. You have a finished product! Thanks to the tripod, everything is sharp except for the ghostly images of fair goers moving about, and the turning Ferris wheel appears as a circular streak of gorgeous colors. The lights at the booths shine like stars.

Now that you have been enlightened by these simple photographic tips, grab your camera and get out there. That "magic moment" is just a click away, and the world won't stop spinning. So let your imagination run free, then capture the results for posterity. Only you can tell the photographic story that unfolds from your own unique point of view.




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