Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Photography Workshop for Beginners: Things to Remember


Photography is a worthwhile hobby. It's both de-stressing and fun. The first thing you should remember is that photography is much more than simply taking pictures. It is an art. This is why photographers spend time to take photography classes just to learn the craft. Before you consider enrolling in a photography class, learn these few reminders.

1. Cameras do not take good photographs. You do. When some people see a nice photo, they ask what camera was used, instead of who took the photo. It's absurd. It's like asking what piano was used, instead of who played the piece. A camera is a tool. Despite of its type or model, it can take both terrible and breathtaking photographs - it all depends on how you use it.

2. Read the manual. Too excited to take snaps? Don't hurry. Read the manual that comes with your brand new gadget. It is important that you read it because that is the only way you will learn about the equipment, its controls and shooting modes. Those who don't read and understand the manual are most likely to produce bad pictures.

3. Do not ignore the Auto mode. There is a very good reason manufacturers put Auto modes on cameras, even the DSLR ones. For beginners, the Auto mode is really handy. If you are still at the first stages of the learning process, the Auto mode is the most convenient feature for you to use. It lets you decide what ISO, white balance, shutter speed, and aperture to use. When in doubt, switch to the Auto mode on the dial, and then start taking your pictures.

4. Observe the rule of thirds. This is the most essential of all of the composition rules. Beginners and advanced photographers cannot ignore this rule, which simply states that you cannot place your subject at the center of the image. This is a basic rule discussed in any photography workshop. So when you shoot a picture of children, flowers or a tree, place it in the third part of the image, either on the left or right.

5. Know when to use the flash. The light coming out of your flash unit can make or break an image. The general suggestion is to avoid using flash as much as you can. For artistic photography, using natural light creates the most pleasing photographs. If you are indoors, you can open windows to let in light from outside. In dim rooms, you can use a tripod to mount your camera on, as you use slower shutter speed to capture more light. Outdoors at daytime, you may use the natural light from the sun or sky. When shooting portraits in broad daylight, you can now consider turning on the flash to avoid nasty facial shadows.

6. Bring your camera with you. What's the use of owning a good camera if it's frequently left at home? Take it with you wherever you go, so that you won't miss out on photographic opportunities. You don't know when a moment worth taking a picture of would arise.

7. Look at photos taken by professionals. The goal is not to imitate these pictures, but to take inspiration from them. See how the pros compose their shots. Observe the elements that make their photographs splendid.

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