Photography Technique

"The Essentials"

If you first started taking pictures recently you probably learned your photography technique with a modern camera.

This gave you tremendous advantages because all you had to do was switch it on, point the camera at your subject and press the shutter button to record your image.

You didn’t have to worry about all the settings that the camera made for you automatically or, if you were offered a choice of settings, there was an “auto” or “program” setting that you selected.

Had your interest in photography begun a little earlier, before automatic cameras were available, you would have had a bit more to learn before you could grab those pictures.

How boring. Or was it?

Learning and understanding the basics of how to set up the camera yourself actually takes you a long way towards improving your photography technique and therefore taking better photographs.

So what are the basics?

Whenever you prepare to take a photograph there are four important things to remember -

1 - Composition (What is in the picture and where it is)

2 - Lighting (What's in the light and what’s in the shade)

3 - Exposure (The amount of light “seen” by the camera)

4 - Focus (What is sharp and what isn’t)

CLEF - Easy to remember, even if you are not a musician!

Of course there are a few things to consider before you set up to take the photograph but I’m assuming you have learned about the controls of your camera from the instructions that came with it!

When learning about the controls and their functions, it’s a good idea to practice finding and using them with your eyes closed. It’s surprising how often the light isn’t quite good enough to see them, especially if you usually wear spectacles and they are not readily to hand.

Also, it helps to be able to change a setting without looking away from the viewfinder or screen and perhaps losing a valuable second or two before the subject moves or the light changes.

There is one thing in your photography technique that you should pay extra special attention to …..

HOLDING THE CAMERA
If you have never known the correct way to hold your camera PLEASE CLICK HERE then read and practice the guidelines before returning.

Right. All set up. Batteries charged and camera switched on? Nearly ready, but one final thought .....

Who will be viewing your picture?

This may not seem important but it is always worth remembering when you take a photograph. The reason is that you will have experienced the actual scene and your photograph will trigger the memory of it when you view it in the future. It will give you a feeling.

When someone else who was not at the actual scene views your photograph, they will want it to communicate a feeling to them, even if it is different from yours.

Try to bear this in mind whenever you take a photograph.

Let’s consider Composition - Do you ever feel that your photos are not very exciting?

Whatever camera you are using, your photographs will only grab attention if they are well composed - your viewpoint, how the elements are arranged within the frame, what’s included and, just as important, what is left out.

Click here to find out how to compose photographs that grab attention.

The next topic to look at is Lighting - What is in the light and what is not (and what colour the light is!).

If there is one element in your photography technique that can make or break a photo it is lighting and yet, it is often the least considered element, even if it is thought of at all.

Click here to learn more about how direction, height, placement and colour of lighting can make a world of difference to your photographs.

Now we come to Exposure - Do your photographs always turn out just right or are they sometimes too light or too dark?

To discover what exposure means in photography and why it is so important to get it right, click here.

Finally, Focus - Have you ever noticed that certain parts of an image stand out in a great photograph?

By clicking here and going to the focus section you will find out how to use the shape of a camera’s lens to great advantage in your photography technique.

Return from Photography Technique to Better Photographs Home Page

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