Your Digital Photography Guide

While the portable camera has been affordable for decades, nothing made photography more accessible to the average user than the digital camera. Suddenly, a photographer could get instant feedback about both the digital photography techniques and the shooting environment. Being able to see your shots instantly is one of the most enjoyable parts of this art. However, with more amateurs trying their hands at photography, a digital photography guide can be helpful for beginners as well as experienced artists.

Know Your Camera

You don't have to have an expensive, professional-quality camera to get good shots. In fact, even point-and-shoot models can give great results if you know what you are doing. Most cameras, even basic models, have various preset programs that allow you to take shots in different settings. Night, action, water, portrait and landscape are common programs on many cameras. Read your manual and play around with the various preset programs to become familiar with what they are useful for. Once those are mastered, switch to manual mode and become familiar with things like aperture and shutter speed.

Understand the Lighting

Nothing kills a good shot faster than poor lighting. Of course, in a professional setting, various tools are used to ensure that lighting is always ideal; supplemental lights, light boxes and diffusers are commonly seen. However, in a home setting, these aren't always available. However, there are many digital photography tips that give advice about how to find the best lighting. Any digital photography guide will tell you to look for even lighting, avoiding harsh, direct rays. When you are outdoors, a fully shaded area is ideal. Indoor shots can be taken adjacent to a window, but out of the sun's direct path. Avoid any area where there is a mix of sun and shade. In addition, if you can tell your subject will be in a shadow, use the fill flash to even out the lighting.

Develop Your Eye

A good deal of successful photography really has to do with how much of a feel the photographer has for their subject. Things like composition and poses can make the difference between a so-so shot and something that wows the viewer. The best way to develop your creative eye is to practice. Participating in photography events, such as a digital photography contest, can help you develop your craft. General competitions work great for beginners, but more advanced photographers may want to enter contests with a more narrow focus. Of course, studying other contestants, as well as photographers you admire, can help you begin to see quality shots and identify the characteristics that make them appealing to the eye.