Best Photography Tips for Beginners & Professionals
Being a photographer, my first instinct is to tell everyone to pursue photography to some extent. After all, we all take pictures. Some do use their smartphones while people like me have expensive cameras. So why not make it better, right?
Photography is not about spending all the money you have on expensive gear. It is about using the gear that you have to take pictures and then deciding whether you want to go ahead with something more expensive. Now, I can talk about photography all my life and there still would be something left.
It also happens to be one of the art forms that is incredulously extensive, to a point that I know several photographers who have been in the field for decades and are still going because they are learning more and more about photography and getting better at their craft. If you wish to join the same ranks, I present you with this comprehensive, one-stop guide for all your photography woes.
Photography Tips
General Tips to Help You Get Started
We are going to start with the general photography tips that will help you get started. Consider this as your first day at school or a new semester; although you have heard of the things that your instructors tell you in that specific lecture you still sit through it because you want to be informed and it never hurts to know more.
a) How to Hold a Camera
Remember I said that you might feel a bit strange? Well, holding a camera is not difficult. We all know that holding a camera is either done in a horizontal or a vertical position or landscape and portrait in photography terms.
However, you must know that when you are holding a camera, you should be level on the field. For instance, if you are holding the camera in landscape orientation then the field of view should not be tilted from either side. The same goes for the portrait orientation because this small oversight will result in your picture being tilted.
One more thing is that almost all the DSLR and mirrorless cameras in the market come with big enough grips so make use of them and hold your camera properly. Of course, you can use the same tips for your smartphone because at the end of the day, holding the camera just so you can have a properly aligned field of view is important.
b) What is Exposure Triangle?
The exposure triangle is one of the things in photography that confuse a lot of people. I still remember my first time with photography and it confused the life out of me. However, once you nail it, you will do just fine.
The exposure triangle comprises an aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. All these things combined can ensure how good or bad your picture is going to look. I am going to explain these separately so you know what you are dealing with.
- Aperture: Aperture refers to the opening of lens’ diaphragm through which the light passes, and it is calibrated in f/stops. These stops are generally written as f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.8 and so on. Remember, the smaller the number, the larger the aperture and it will allow more light to pass through.
- Shutter Speed: You are with me? Good. Shutter speed is exactly what you might think it is. It is the speed at which the shutter of the camera closes. If the shutter is faster, it will result in shorter exposure, meaning less light will hit the camera sensor. A slower shutter speed will allow more light in, and will result in longer exposure. Shutter speeds are normally in seconds. Like 15 seconds, 1/100seconds, 1/250 seconds, and so on. The bigger the number, the slower the shutter speed and vice versa.
- ISO: This is one part of the exposure triangle that confuses most people. A camera’s ISO refers to your camera’s sensitivity to light. If you dial the ISO to a higher number, your camera sensor will become more sensitive and will allow more noise in, as well. ISO is measured in numbers, and a few common numbers start from 100, 200, 400, and so on. Remember, as a good photographer, your main aim is to keep the ISO as low as possible for the cleanest images.
So, what is the exposure triangle? Well, the aforementioned elements work together to regulate the amount of light that makes it to your camera’s sensor. Below, I’m going to give you a generalized setting that most portrait photographers use.
- ISO: 100. Shutter Speed: 1/500. Aperture: f/1.4.
Now, let’s break it down. If I increase the ISO from 100 to a higher number, I will have to increase either the shutter speed to make sure the image is properly exposed. Or I will have to stop down the aperture to a higher number to ensure that the image does not go out of exposure.
Similarly, if I drop the shutter speed to 1/250, the picture could get a bit brighter, and if I increase the shutter speed, the picture might get completely dark or underexposed. Last but not the least, if I stop down the aperture, the picture will also get darker since there will now be less light coming onto the sensor.
The exposure triangle can be difficult to understand because every photography, every shooting scenario, and every camera is different and therefore, a photographer has to play with these settings before they can nail down the settings, they are most comfortable with.
c) Understanding the Focusing on Your Camera
Okay, the first thing that I should be getting out of the way is that gone are the days when cameras had a bad autofocusing system. Canon and Sony changed how autofocusing works and almost all the modern cameras have fully automatic focus and are good.
However, what you must understand is that the lens you are going to choose for your camera will have to be good. If you put a cheap lens that suffers from a lot of focus hunting on a flagship camera like the Sony A7SIII or Sony A7IV, the camera will not be made use of the focusing issues of the lens all that much.
The simplest thing that you can do is check out the reviews of the lens you are buying and remember that almost every reviewer will make note of the lens’ focusing performance.
d) Angle of Light
The angle of light is perhaps one of the most complicated parts of photography. I am going to make it simple for you. The light that is angled towards your subject will result in the reflection of that light falling onto the camera at the same angle.
To make it easier, look at a game of pool, if you are hitting a ball into the wall at a 45% angle, the ball will come off that wall at the same 45% angle, completing the triangle. This means that you have to be the judge when looking at the angle of light as it strikes the subject, and then understand what the light will do once it strikes the subject.
If there is something reflective in your subject, look at the camera angle from a different side and see what is being reflected, and remember, nearly everything that you will come across will reflect. Some things reflect more than others but the reflection is always there.
In photography, we also use reflectors to specifically direct the light towards a subject. We also use deflecting gear to prevent this from happening and diffusers to ensure not a lot of light ends up hitting the subject.
Mastering the light is entirely up to you. However, I have to mention one thing is that I have seen so many photographers improvising the whole situation where they are measuring the light while they are in the middle of the shoot. That is the level of expertise that everyone should go to.
Another thing that you should know is that having a consistent lighting situation might not suit your style. Every photographer experiences lighting differently since their photography style is different. Even in portrait photography, different photographers have different preferences and based on their preferences, they go with the lighting.
Understanding the Limitations of Your Camera and Your Own Limitations
Remember, just because you have dropped $5,000 on a brand new camera and lens combo does not mean that you are going to become the next Peter McKinnon or Brandon Woelfel. Similarly, just because you have a $1,000 camera and a lens combo, does not mean that you are not going to excel at photography.
I know, all of this might sound contradictory to you but that is how it works and I am going to tell you all of this in detail. For starters, I started with a Canon EOS 80D; back then it was one of the best budgets, semi-professional cameras but what I did not know was that pairing it with a cheap kit lens would cripple the performance of the camera.
I later upgraded to the 50mm f/1.8 STM and then I realized that the camera I am using is a crop factor camera, and I am looking at around 80mm focal length in reality. I slowly realized the limitations of the camera that I was using as I went on to explore photography and found myself in various shooting conditions and then I realized that the camera is not as good in low-light or handheld video, and the crop factor is something to worry about whenever you are using prime lenses or any lens, for that matter.
Similarly, as a photographer, I had my limitations, too. For starters, I knew nothing about the exposure triangle and that is why for the better half of my career as a beginner, my ISO would always be above 1000 and that is not a good number, especially on the older cameras. I also did not know much about the crop factor of the camera and how that affects the overall depth of field and frame of the image.
The point I am making here is that if you are just starting out and even if you have been in the field for as long as one can remember, always know that your camera or you will have limitations. Sometimes, both of the variables will. That is the reason photography tips exist; to help people adapt better to different situations and constantly learn.
Get Up Close and Personal
Photography is all about trial and error. If you have just picked up a camera, I would say take pictures until you are tired. Take pictures of everything you see. Even if your watch is sitting on the table, you should take pictures of that. Drain your camera’s battery if you have to after taking pictures.
I know all of this sounds strange, and honestly, it is but hears me out. The reason why I want you to get up close and personal is that reckless photography is going to result in one thing and that is the fact that you will be able to not only learn a lot about photography on your own but you will also be able to master all the tips and tricks that go into taking some good photos.
Additionally, when you are getting up close and personal, another thing that this will result in is that you will finally be able to find your style. Do you like portrait photography more or do you prefer astrophotography? What are your preferences when it comes to product photography or street photography?
Finding your style and your preference is a lot more important than people might think. Once you have found your preference and started the process of mastering that style, you can start doing that professionally if that is the preference you have.
One more thing that I would like to add here is that as a photographer or an artist, it would always be better than you are constantly challenging yourself to do better and learn more styles of photography or apply different methods in the style of photography that you are catering to.
Investing More in Learning Than in Gear
Being a photographer, the one thing that I saw a lot of times was that people would invest more in the gear rather than learning. What this does is create a rut. Your expensive gear is going to take good photos but you will not be able to learn anything out of it. In that situation, all the control would be in your camera’s possession and if you use a different camera, you might not be able to take the photos that you want.
Sounds strange, I know. But a good photographer spends a lot of time learning photography than learning the camera. Once you have learned photography, it will not matter the gear you are using because your pictures will always be consistent.
Even if someone hands you an affordable crop sensor camera, you will be able to take stunning photos every single time with the right settings. The point that I am making here is that if you have just dropped $5,000 on your gear and you are not even sure about the photography or have any idea of the photography tips then you will be bound to that camera and your pictures are not going to be good at all.
Therefore, the wiser thing is always to invest more in learning than in a year. You can spend countless hours mastering the art of photography without even having a camera but if you have the camera and you do not do any learning, then there is no point in that.
Experimental Photography Tips and Tricks
Now, this is one thing that is going to make a lot of people wonder why they have picked up the camera. No one wants to take the same photo over and over again because at one point, it becomes redundant and you do not want to go ahead and take photos like that again as it is not really the proper experience and we would always suggest that you are avoiding that, to begin with. Thankfully, experimental photography exists, and it is a great way to break away from the norm and try something different.
I am not saying that you have to adapt to experimental photography for all your future shoots, but you can try and learn new styles, and a lot more in the process and that is only going to positively reflect on your portfolio, and that is what we prefer here.
a) Adding Intentional Motion Blur
Yes, I get it. Almost everyone hates motion blur but what if I tell you that there are photographers who intentionally prefer adding motion blur into their images to make things look more dramatic or make them dramatic.
Yes, this happens all the time and if you are looking to try something different, going this route is going to be a lot of fun as you might end up getting some cool shots, and even if you do not end up with the shots that you want, you are always learning newer things, and that is a great way to get started.
b) Light Painting
Next up we have light painting. This is a light source like a flashlight and the user ends up creating light trails in an image and all you need is a camera along with a dark environment and you are good to go.
For starters, you will need to mount your camera on a tripod and set the shutter speed to 30 seconds and while the shutter is open, move the light source through the frame. If you are fast enough, you will disappear but the light will burn onto the image and you will get some fascinating results.
The choice is yours; you can dance, run, write, or do anything with light painting, and even use other light resources like handheld fireworks. You can even incorporate light painting in portraits for a different background altogether. A stationary subject will be shown in the frame.
Light painting might look difficult but in reality, is one of the easiest photography styles that you can opt for.
c) Impressionist Focusing
All the photographers that are around you are going to be running after getting the perfect focus and honestly, that has become the norm for a lot of people but what if I tell you that you can look the other way, and take some out of focus pictures and make them look really good.
The technique here is called impressionist focusing and what you do is that you take an out-of-focus picture of a subject, but the picture, instead of looking bad, ends up looking like an abstract picture. The process behind this is really simple.
Stand in front of a cluster of lights, set your lens to manual mode, open the aperture wide, and rather than focusing on the lights, do the opposite. This would make the lights appear like small colorful balls of bokeh, and sometimes they end up looking good.
Not only will this give you some really good experimental photos, but you would also end up understanding the importance of aperture and background blur in your pictures and how to incorporate them in other photography styles.
Again, it is important to remember that this is not for everyone and the results that you are going to get out of this are amazing, to say the least.
d) Projected Photography
This is another experiment style that I have been trying for a long time and although it is a bit complicated, the results are rather surprising, to be honest. Not just surprising, they result in some great images and you are getting some great results.
Projection is easy, you can project light, shapes, or other colors to your subject or anything, for that matter. This will add another dimension to your picture. Again, the surface can be anything; an object, or even a person.
Some photographers use green screens behind their subjects, and the green screen is later replaced by backdrops of the choice. Using projection techniques can result in some experimental and even abstract photography, and while it might be overwhelming for some, the results are excellent almost every single time.
e) Filters
I know this might sound strange to a lot of people since mobile photography has more or less ruined the idea of filters but in reality, filters have been a part of the photography world for as long as one can remember. No, I am not talking about the filters that you apply in an app or through software, but you can use different sorts of filters.
For instance, you can wrap your lens in a cling film or sheer fabric sheet and take a shot, or you can look for an opaque surface such as an old window that has warped or cracked class, or flowing water. The purpose here is that if you are trying to create unique twists in your photography and you are looking to do something creative, you can go ahead and photograph through this process.
You can also go ahead and create a unique-looking boken by cutting a shape in the index card and holding it in front of your camera. You can even use a highly reflective metal piece and place it in front of your lens for a dramatic effect.
There are so many ways through which you can go ahead and use it. Not just that, some manufacturers make really good lens filters that can allow you to take photos with some unique effects, and well, that is always a good thing.
f) Double Exposure
For the longest time, double exposure has been one of my most favorite styles of photography because simply put, it just looks amazing. For those who do not know, double exposure is the process of layering two images. You can lawyer a landscape over a close-up of an animal or a flower. Or you can layer a cityscape over a portrait.
Double exposure shots are great for adding texture to a picture or adding more story. Thankfully, many of the modern cameras can take double exposures, but if you are not able to do it in-camera, you can always use Adobe Photoshop or other similar tools that will result in some excellent double exposure pictures.
g) Mirror Imaging
Mirror imaging is not as popular as some of the other styles of photography, but honestly, it is slowly gaining a lot of traction mainly because of the cool things that you can do with it. Mirroring is the process of copying and flipping an image in Photoshop that results in a reflection. It is one of several photography processes that you can use.
Mirroring is best when you want to create a reflection in the water that may have not existed otherwise or add ripple effects, too. You can even use mirroring to go ahead and create unique shapes. With mirroring, the possibilities are endless, and you can get some amazing results all the time.
h) Using In-Camera Effects
I feel like this is overlooked all the time but whenever you are talking about some great photos and are looking for something different, you can always just use in-camera effects. Most of the modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras are full of these effects that you can use.
Although I do understand that not all of them are as creative and they just look like a fresh coat of paint on an already impressive image but it does not hurt to look at these filters and see if something is according to your liking.
I am not saying that you have to use this style of photography, but hey, if it is a quick fix, then why not go ahead with it.
i) Creating Montages
One more thing that I am going to tell you is that you should always focus on creating montages as it is going to result in some excellent results and most cases, you will honestly not have any problems, either. Montages are also referred to as photographic collages.
Images or various elements of images are layered together to create an entirely new scene. Some photographers prefer seamlessly layering the images that end up creating a rather unique world while other photographers prefer letting the viewers look at different images as separate but at the same time, connected.
Of course, you will have to go through careful consideration whenever you are talking about creating montages because it is not going to be an easy job and takes a lot of practice.
j) Lightroom Presets
This is by far my favorite experimental thing that I am going to suggest. Although it is no longer experimental, especially when you consider the fact that for most of the modern photographers, Lightroom is more or less their bread and butter, and for all the right reasons.
If you are shooting in RAW, which you should be. Then you can use those RAW files and import them to Lightroom, once you are there, you can start experimenting with the colors, luminance, saturation, vibrance, and other similar factors. You can truly create your style, and if you want to follow the style of some other photographer, you can get their presets.
Having their presets will not only allow you to have a similar look but if you start dissecting the presets, you can create your styles and color correction once you are done experimenting with it. I have done this with so many presets, and you can create multiple, different-looking presets from a single offering, which is always great and works well.
Following the Rules of Photography
Even the most modern photography is more based on “whatever looks good to the eye” what you must understand is that there are some rules of photography that most photographers would want you to follow. Sure, in the start, it might seem like something too difficult to remember but with photography and the rules, once you start using them, and you remember everything, you will get comfortable with using these rules to a point that you will unknowingly follow and apply them.
Still, for your convenience, I am going to start talking about some rules that you should follow as it will only make things easier for you as a beginner.
a) Filling the Frame or Cropping
There are instances in which your shot might end up losing the impact because of how busy the background can look. Now, the good thing is that you can crop in tight around your subject. This will eliminate the background so all of the attention falls on your main subject. This is specifically useful for portraits because if you are trying to take a picture of someone and you see someone walking in the background, you might just crop that out.
The point here is to fill either the frame or crop. This is why 50mm or 85mm lenses are used for portrait photography because these lenses have a tight field of view even on full-frame cameras, so you are rarely going to end up with a busy background and even if you do, the wide aperture blurs everything nicely.
b) Avoid Cutting Off Your Subject
This is one mistake that I see happening all the time. The thing is, if you are photographing an animal or a human being, the goal here is to make sure that you are not cutting off any of their body parts in the shop. Imagine cutting off your dog’s tail or the ear, or even some part of your human subject.
The picture will look composed right there and that is not what we would be suggesting to anyone, because the picture would look awful. Another thing that I noticed yesterday when I was trying to photograph a watch in macro is that some part of the watch’s dial was out of the frame. This is another mistake that you have to avoid because the picture looks out of the composition.
This tip or rule is not just for photographing humans or animals. Even if you are photographing objects, make sure that your subject is always in the frame without any part of it is out of the frame.
c) What is the Rule of Thirds
This is perhaps the most basic rule of photography. Rule of thirds is all about dividing your shot into nine equal sections using a set of vertical and horizontal lines. With the imaginary frame in place, you should place the most important element(s) in your shot on one of the lines or where the lines meet, it is a technique that works well in most the landscapes scenario as you can position the horizon on one of the horizontal lines that sit in the lower or the upper part of the photograph while the vertical subjects such as trees can be placed on two of the vertical lines.
I know, it might sound strange but this is one of the best rules whenever you are talking about creating the most consistent and properly composed shot. You might need some time to master the rule of thirds but once you have mastered it the right way, you will not need to consciously think about it and you will just handle it on its own and the shots will always come out perfectly composed.
d) Using Frames is a Great Idea
I know it might sound like a strange thing but physical frames are great when it comes to composition. They are great for adding another layer of depth in your pictures, isolating the subject, or catching the attention right away. They can also be used to hide unwanted objects behind them, which is always great and yes, they do create context. Especially if you are trying to tell a story.
You can use frames that are man-made, go for something natural, or even human. However, just because it is a rule of photography does not mean that it has to coincide with some of the other rules. You can use it independently or you can use it with other offerings, the choice is yours.
e) Using Lead in Lines/Shapes
Human eyes are unconsciously drawing lines along the images to create asymmetry. Don’t believe me? Just stand in a corridor and look straight ahead of you and you will realize that your eyes are going to start creating lines wherever the lines are straight. These are often called lead-in lines.
You can take some stunning pictures using these lead-in lines, and the best part is that your subject can be a person, an object, or even if the entire frame is just an empty corridor. I would not call this an experiment because lead-in lines play a really important role in photography and have played one for the longest time.
So, be sure that you are experimenting with this as you can learn a lot about photography by just focusing on this.
f) Always Understand Your Focus
Having too much happening in your focus can easily make things look weird and out of place. In most cases, your pictures need to look like that they are focusing on a single thing rather than focusing on a lot of things and that is the purpose here, and honestly, being careful about this is the way to go.
Thankfully, the process is not going to be that difficult as you can easily handle these aspects. Now, the rule I always follow whenever I am taking a picture is that I make sure that I always understand what the picture is all about. If I am taking a picture of a person, then the person is the focus of the picture.
If the case is different and I am photographing an object, then that object has to be in focus. This is a point that you will have to make and once you are done getting this sorted, you will have a much better experience with the photos and you will do just fine in your photos.
g) Mind the Background
You know how they say “watch your six” a similar case is in photography where you have to mind the background because even if there is a little distraction like unsightly objects, over or underexposed areas, lots of bright colors, or something else that ruins the focus and makes the picture look distracting is not good.
Unless, of course, you are using the background objects as elements in your photo to give it more depth, then that is fine. But if you want the background to be clean, then you can always look for doing something that is properly done because otherwise, you are not going to get the experience that you are looking forward to. It is not that complicated, to be honest, and can result in some nice shots.
Just be sure that your background is just how you want to perceive it and how you want the viewer to perceive it because these things do matter a lot and without paying attention to this
h) Symmetry and Patterns Mean a Lot
Before we are heading towards the final rule of photography that I have made a norm ever since I started, I would like to spend a moment and talk about symmetry and pattern because these things matter a lot. Whenever you are taking a picture, you have to be sure that there is enough symmetry in the picture and the patterns that you are capturing, even if they are not your primary subject, are well defined.
These things matter a lot and the more you look into it, the better it would because without focusing on these factors, the results you are going to get are not going to be as likely, and it would be better if you are just ignoring everything altogether.
Again, it is simple to mess this up and whenever you are being careful about this, you will nail the picture every single time. You can always try to break the repetitive pattern as well and try something but do not make your picture look out of place as that is not what we would suggest to any photographer.
i) Always Create Depth
This is another really common rule that people tend to forget about all the time. I get it, some pictures do require you to create depth but the same is not the case with all the other pictures that you are going to take. Many pictures will require you to create depth in them.
But what is depth, you might be wondering. Well, the answer to that is rather simple. Depth in a picture often relates to having a foreground, middle, and background detail in the picture. This will draw the yes throughout the picture. Compositional elements will complement each other.
However, you will have to be careful of the size of the objects and how they are placed or occurring in the picture because you are not looking to have one element overshadow the other element.
Take a picture of the rocky beach, for instance. If you are shooting, you would want the background to be a small mountain, the middle would be the beach itself, and the foreground would be where you are standing and what’s right in front of you. There you go, you have three elements in front of you. If you are still confused, let me break it down for you.
- Foreground: Foreground would be where you are standing; could be a rock or a high platform.
- Middle: This is the beach or the body of water that would be in the middle.
- Background: Most likely a peak or something similar. Could also be a cluster of trees.
Now, remember, all three elements combined will make a great picture but you have to be sure that none of them are overshadowing each other because then the picture will end up looking out of place, and that is never what we want.
In conclusion, what I would say here is that although these rules are really helpful, they are not set in stone. If you are a beginner, I do urge you to follow these rules so you can learn some basics about photography but if you are already excelling in photography, then you can just use some elements from these rules and apply these.
Whatever the case might be, the goal here is to make things easier for yourself and refine your photography to a longer extent.
Some Tips on Why You Should Be Using Filters in Your Photography
Before you start wondering what is happening. I am not talking about the filters that are being used by everyone with a smartphone camera. I am talking about lens filters and how they make a world of a difference whenever you are trying to take pictures, and honestly, the results can be excellent, to say the least and you will not be bothered by it, either.
Now, when you are talking about lens filters, there are some tips associated that I am going to share with you. I understand that this is will overwhelm a good chunk of people but hey, we are trying to get started with the process and we need to be certain that we are doing something right.
a) Using a Polarizer for Better Skies
A polarizing filter is something that should be in the bag of every photographer because they are going to be very useful. These filters work simply and filter out the light that is reflected directly towards the camera at specific angles. Whenever you are photographing a landscape with a blue sky, the haze can cause the sky to look washed out. Using a polarizer will cancel that out and will reveal the actual blue color of the sky.
b) Polarizers and Water
Have you ever decided to take a picture of the water only to realize that you cannot see what is underneath the water? Well, this happens a lot and the best part is that whenever you are in a situation like that, polarizers can be of great help as they can assure you that there are things that are not going to go wrong.
For starters, a polarizer is great when it comes to revealing what’s underneath the water, which is an excellent way of ensuring that you are getting great results. Now, if you are wondering why it happens. IT is because the light reflects off the water’s surface at such a degree that it is impossible to see what is under it. However, using a polarizer can reveal what’s beneath the water because it eliminates the light for you.
c) Filters for Reducing Reflection
Sure, I do understand that there are a lot of scenarios in which you want the reflection to be a part of your photography, but the thing that you should understand is that it is not always the case because, in some situations, reflection is not going to do you any good. The opposite as it will more or less ruin the image quality and we do not want that.
Now, the good news is that you can use filters for reducing the reflection. Whether you are photographing the rocks at a waterfall, or anything other, for that matter. If there is a reflection and you want to get rid of it, filters can be great.
d) Using Graduated Neutral Density Filters
Whenever you are finding yourself in a situation where you are taking a picture of the landscape, especially at sunrise or sunset, you will often realize that there is an insane amount of contrast between the sky and the foreground that you are capturing. This makes you choose an exposure that might not be ideal for the images.
While modern cameras have amazing dynamic range, nature is unpredictable when it comes to being photographed. Thankfully, you can use a graduated neutral density filter that will help reduce the dynamic range of an image, and it will darken the areas that are brighter than they need to be.
ND filters, for the most part, are inexpensive, so you are making a good investment that will hardly ever go wrong.
Learning from Professional Photographers
One of the most important photography tips that I am going to give to everyone; not just beginners but veterans as well, is that it is better, always better to learn from professional photographers who have been either teaching photography, or who have been just taking pictures.
Platforms such as Instagram and YouTube have made it a lot easier for creators to share their content. I am not asking you to have a one-on-one conversation with them because that might not be possible but study their style, study the styles of various photographers.
There is nothing wrong with learning how to compose a photo or how to color a photo. Sure, in a few months, you will even start taking pictures like them but through that, you will be able to develop your style and your color style.
To give an anecdote, when I started photography, Peter McKinnon was my favorite photographer; his use of colors was my favorite, and I even used his presets actively. However, after learning so many basics from him, I ended up developing my style of photography and color grading.
Sure, I still use him as a reference but I am no longer bound to use the presets that he has provided. I can dial in my colors and details based on my preference.
The reason why it is better to attach yourself to a professional photographer is simple; it will help you grow as a photographer and will teach you a lot about photography, too. Something that might not be easy to learn on your own because as I said before, photography is one of the most diverse art forms and can take years if you plan on doing everything on your own.
Perfecting the Art of Atmospheric Photography
Photographs that are dripping with the atmosphere have always been my favorite. Whether it is a quaint café at the corner of the road or a busy street. The atmosphere can make every picture look a thousand times better than it is. However, capturing the atmosphere and making it look the way you prefer it to look like are two different things.
For starters, it is not as easy as you might think and secondly, if you are just starting, then you might need tips to get things done and have them in order. I know it is not something that everyone needs to understand but hey, it is only going to help you get proper pictures and it is better that you have kept this in mind beforehand.
We are going to help you with some tips that will allow you to nail the atmosphere because, at the end of the day, that’s what we want.
a) Understanding the Importance of Candid Shots
I know a lot of photographers and even subjects are not going to like what I am about to say but I do not like posed shots at all. There was a time when I hated them. Because I believe that they take the soul out of a picture and everything just looks very forced and artificial.
Candid shots on the other hand can capture what’s going on inside the life of the mind of a person. For instance, a posed shot of a smiling person is going to be fake and lifeless because, at that time, a person’s head will only be filled with one thing, “hey, I have a camera pointed at me, I just smile!” However, if you are talking about a candid shot of a person smiling, you never know what their mind is thinking because they are not aware that there is a camera looking at them, so they could be thinking of million different things.
With that said, if you are trying to create an atmosphere in your pictures, you should always be sure that you are taking candid shots. Sitting at a café? Look for a person who’s just working on their laptop or reading a book, or even holding a cup of coffee and looking at raindrops falling from the window, take that picture, color grade it, and you will realize just how much atmosphere is in that picture.
b) Lighting is Very Important
We all know that at this point, lighting is one of the most important parts of photography. However, whenever you are trying to capture the atmosphere, it is better that you should emphasize the lighting, as well. Normally, we would suggest a warm and cozy environment that will involve a good amount of soft lighting.
For instance, summer evenings are filled with soft orange light, and a radiant glow that outlines everything is hit by the sun. Similarly, cold mornings have a soft, blue sheen of light. You would be surprised how much you can influence the atmosphere just by playing with the color temperature.
I have so many shots where I changed the color temperature just to make the pictures look more atmospheric, or at least according to the atmosphere I wanted to go with.
c) Flash is Not Your Friend
I hate using the flash; sure, it is made for convenience and there are situations where you have to use flash at all costs but the results are not always promising as things tend to go wrong as well. The thing with flash is that it ends up adding an unnatural feeling to an otherwise normal atmosphere. The main reason where is because the flashlight has a colder temperature in general and if you are using that in a warmer environment things are only going to ruin the shot.
Therefore, if you are in a situation where you do not have to use the flash, we would suggest that you are going with it as it is not going to create any issues for you and you will get some nice results, too. Just focus on it and you will be fine.
Again, using the flash should be the worst-case scenario, and should only be looked into in situations where flash is an absolute must.
d) Wider Aperture Can Benefit You a Lot.
A wider is something that almost every photographer loves. Since we would suggest against a flashlight, you will need to find a newer way of getting more light into the image. This can be done if you open up your lens’ aperture. Aperture is measured in f/stops as mentioned before and with a lower number like f/1.4 or f/2.8, you will be able to add a lot more light into the image.
Most of the prime lenses are going to be able to provide you with the widest apertures, so using them to get atmospheric with your shots is always a good idea because you have an option to choose how your pictures are going to look like and this is not something that we are going to overlook.
e) Don’t Ignore the Setting and the Environment
I get it that you are trying to take an atmospheric picture and in most of the cases, you will need to isolate the subject but just take a step back and look at when I talked about taking a picture of someone sitting at a café. Well, if you exclude the setting and surroundings of the café, you will end up losing the atmosphere that you have been trying to capture, in the first place.
I understand that this might not be the easiest for everyone but hey, it certainly is one of the easier things and you will not have any problems whenever you are trying to get the right shot here. Again, it does take some time but once you have nailed this, you can easily get the most out of your shooting experience.
Sure, it does take some time getting used to but always include the setting and the environment in your picture because, without all of this, you are not going to get the shot you want.
f) Emotions are Very, Very Important
I know this is perhaps the hardest part of taking a picture but emotions are very, very important. Whether you are taking a candid shot of a person holding a cup of coffee or just looking at their phone, or even reading a book, you will have to look for that specific emotion that changes how their face looks.
It might be a very subtle twitch, or a change in how tight their jaw is, or how wide their eyes have gotten. The more emotion you capture, the more you can make the image look atmospheric. Now, I do understand that capturing the emotion is not easy and you might not be able to do it properly if you are doing posed shots, and that is the reason why we will always suggest that you are going for candid shots because they are dripping with atmosphere, as well as emotion. This is one of the most important photography tips that I can give to anyone.
Getting Feedback
Another photography tip that I am going to share with everyone is regarding the feedback. The thing with us artists is that we might never really be satisfied with the images that we take. Aside from being a photographer, I also write and I am rarely satisfied with what I write even though people love what I write
This only means that most of the time the pictures you are going to take might not look good to you, even if they are excellent, there will always be something that you are not going to like about the picture. The best way to deal with this situation is by simply asking your friends or family members to give you feedback on it.
What would be even better is that if you are asking other photographers about their input on the pictures you are taking. I do understand that all of this might be an overwhelming process for you but in reality, you are going to be able to get some really good experiences and the best part is that you will not have any issues.
Thankfully, getting feedback is not as difficult as it might sound but at the same time, you do have to understand that it is not something that you should be ignoring. Feedback will help you focus on the parts that need improving and get better with time, which is what we always strive for. So, why ignore it, in the first place?
Some Important Tips on Choosing the Background
You might think that it is not a photography trip but that is not true, at all. A proper background can make your picture and a bad one can ruin the picture. That just goes to show the importance of the background and you cannot overlook this for your own sake. If you want to take good photos, this is the way you are going to do it.
So, how can I choose the right background is what you might be wondering. Well, there are a lot of right answers that I am going to walk you through. So, you can get started on looking at those.
a) Minimizing the Distractions
If you are looking at some of the best pictures ever taken or some of the finest artworks, for that matter. You will come to realize that the one thing that they all have in common is that the backgrounds are not too heavy on distractions. I am not saying that they are free of distractions because that is almost impossible.
But as a photographer who is trying to nail the background, the one thing that you have to focus on is minimizing the distractions because it is very, very important.
b) Negative Space Can be Your Friend
For those who are not sure, negative space is the blank area that is going to surround your subject, and believe it or not, it plays a vital role in the composition of your pictures. You can easily use this negative space to isolate your subject from the rest of the image, and this ends up putting more emphasis on the image, and making it look better and more prominent.
We also call it ‘visual breathing room’ and it forces the eyes to focus on the subject as the main and perhaps the only focusing point or point of interest in your picture.
c) Never Forget the Lines
I have already discussed the importance of lead in lines before and honestly, when you are choosing a background for your photos, you should be focusing on the lines as well because you have to be sure that for the perfect composition, you are getting the perfect lines and that can easily help you get really good shots, too.
However, if you want to incorporate any sort of lines, be sure that you are not cutting through your subject in any way because the results are not going to be good and your image is going to look out of place.
d) Depth of Field Can be of Great Help
If you are not able to find a plain or distraction-free background then the simplest way to get around is by blurring the background. Thankfully, you will not have to deal with that all that much as you can just go for a wider aperture. Just set the aperture on your lens ranging from f/1.8 or f/2.8 and you will get a shallower depth of field.
This will create a blurred background and will isolate the subject, as well. This is not that complicated, so it is better that you are focusing on it and you are not ignoring it
e) Using Backgrounds with Shapes and Patterns
One more background choosing tip that I am going to give you here is that you should sometimes be looking at using shapes and patterns in your background. I know, there are times when you do not want to do that but there are situations where you might end up liking something like that and the best part is that the results are going to be great in every case.
Thankfully, this is not complicated, at all. Just be sure that the picture that you are taking is good and there is no confusion in the process and you can make some excellent-looking shots, as well.
You can use some odd shapes and patterns in the background and they are only going to make your pictures look unique.
f) Don’t be Stationary
If you are looking to be sure that your backgrounds are looking good in almost every sense of the way, we would highly suggest that you are always on the move. Being stationary is going to result in you taking pictures that are a lot more similar than the other and that is not at all what we would be suggesting to anyone.
The best part here is that you should be avoiding this and always look for different pictures and the results are going to surprise you a lot more than you might think, to be honest.
g) Using Backgrounds to Tell a Story
I know it might not sound like something that a lot of people are going to grasp right away but what if I tell you that you can take a picture and tell the whole story by just using the right background. For starters, if you are taking a picture of a man sitting in front of a flower shop, you will be able to tell the story about how he’s a florist.
There are so many stories that are hidden all over the backgrounds that you can and should use to your advantage so you can get truly unique results and to your requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I take online photography classes?
That depends. There is nothing wrong with taking online photography classes but most of them are going to cover specific topics and the ones that will be covering everything are going to be very, very detailed. So, it is up to you at the end of the day.
Why do tripods matter a lot?
Tripods do matter a lot because in shooting conditions when you have to use a slower shutter speed, and in that case, to avoid blur, you need to be sure that you are using a tripod.
How does motion blur make an image talk?
Motion blur is normally a thing that most of us hate. However, photographers have been using intentional motion blur to show a living and breathing world captured in a picture.
How does the 6 stop ND filter help in photography?
ND filters regardless of the stops can help you eliminate light and reflection and make the scenes a lot clearer. I am not saying that they should be used in every scenario but in situations where you need to be sure that things are looking as good, you are going to have to use these filters.
Which ISO will give you more grain or noise?
This depends on the camera. Some of the older cameras start getting noise in the pictures at ISO 1600 or above, while modern-day cameras can go higher than 3200 and without any noise.
Tips for Various Photography Styles
Now that we have taken care of everything that you must understand about photography, we are going to divert the attention towards various photography styles and the tips that you can use. If you have a specific style, this is going to help you make that style even better.
Boudoir Photography Tips
If you thought that portraits are complex and intimidating, wait till you try out boudoir photography as that one takes portraits to a next level as the images are supposed to be sensual and romantic. In such situations, both the photographer and the subject have to be a lot more comfortable.
But fret not, we have got you covered with some really easy tips that are going to help you.
- The Pose Matters: Work with your subject on this so you can come to a proper pose that will suit you both. If your subject has experience in this style of photography, ask for their input on poses and they will help you.
- The Right Lighting: Due to the intimate nature of boudoir photography, you will need lighting that reflects that too. Go for something that is soft and flattering as it will spread across the body evenly.
- Correct Camera Settings: You cannot find a single setting to rule them all. However, we would suggest setting your aperture to f/2.8 or wider, and shutter speed to around 1/100 sec or higher. ISO range will vary based on your lighting.
- Eyes Matter a Lot: You want to give the pictures that intimate feeling and even though these are photos, focus on the eyes and make sure that the sharpest point of your photo is the face and the eyes. They will tell the story.
Food Photography Tips
Food photography is a lot of fun, to be honest. This photography type is also the reason why we fall in love with the food that we see on Instagram or various food blogs. But do you know that there is a lot of thought that goes into food photography? We are going to tell you all about it.
- Natural Light Helps a Lot: Instead of setting up overhead lights or lamps, use natural light as it will allow you to capture the food in a much more realistic manner, and it will look a lot better, too.
- Finding the Best Light Source: Since we are relying mostly on natural light, there is going to be some moving around. Don’t think that you have to be confined to your kitchen for the best pictures. Move around, and find the perfect spot with great lighting and get started.
- Multiple Angles, Always: One more tip that I am going to leave you with is that multiple angles are always going to help you. Remember, you are photographing food and as long as you have done a good job with the presentation, you can take stunning photos from multiple angles.
- Avoid Clutter: Unless that extra spoon or the napkin that you have placed there is going to add character to your image, clutter is not really a best friend for food photography. Why? It is simple, the focus should be on your food and anything that is distracting is a big no and must be avoided at all costs.
Portrait Photography Tips
Portrait photography might as well be the most famous form of photography. Regardless of the type of photographer you are, the one thing that is for certain is that you have tried taking portraits in your career. Whether you have done it professionally or otherwise, you know how to handle these and do it well.
- Connecting with Your Subject: You need to get comfortable and connect with your subject if you are planning on getting your photography in order and get the best shots.
- Lighting and Environment: Of course, you will need to do proper justice to the lighting as well as your subject because it is going to be very important that you are focusing on this.
- Your Camera and Lens Settings: For your lens, I would always suggest that you are going for something along the lines of a 50mm or an 85mm. For camera settings, remember, a wider aperture with a faster shutter speed and a lower ISO value is always the good thing.
- Focus on the Eyes: The eyes never lie, and well, there is a reason why they are window to the soul. If you are taking a portrait, make sure that the eyes are the sharpest in the frame. Even if the rest of the frame is on the softer side, if the eyes are sharp, you’ll have a complete portrait at your hand.
- It’s Okay to Move in or Out: If you feel like the distance between your subject is not doing much for you. Remember that it is okay to move in or out and find the perfect balance. Also, it is always better to get down on your subject’s level, that’s how you will make your pictures appear more personal.
a) Outdoor Portrait Photography Tips
Indoor photography aside, outdoor photography can be tricky for some because you are now dealing with the sun, the biggest and perhaps the harshest light source and you have to use diffusers to get things in order.
- Diffusers and Reflectors are Your Friends: It is easier to be under the impression that you do not need to control the lights when you are outside but that is not the case. You will need diffusers and reflects outdoors to control the lighting as you cannot just turn the sun off.
- Horizon is Amazing: Honestly, use the horizon to your advantage to get some stunning portraits. Check Manny Ortiz on YouTube and see how he combines street and portrait photography together.
- Finding the Perfect Focal Point: With outdoor photography, focal length is important because you are not just focusing on the subject anymore. You have to focus on the background and the foreground as well and finding the perfect focal length is important.
- Using the Lead In Lines: Lead in lines have always been important in photography but when you are taking things outdoors, they become even more important because you are now dealing with a landscape and that plays a huge part in how your composition is going to end up like.
b) Beach Portrait Photography Tips
Beaches are fun, a lot of fun, to be honest. If you are looking for beach portrait photography tips, you will have to know that for the most part, you can just use the outdoor portrait tips that I have shared but there are a few things that I would like to add there.
- Using the Golden Hour: The first thing is that you must utilize the golden hour. Meaning that you should either shoot at the sunrise or at the sunset and your pictures will come out much better.
- Avoid the Crowds: Honestly, crowds are only going to make your pictures look cluttered and out of place, and we do not want that. We want to avoid crowds and ensure that the focus is just on the subject.
- Keeping the Horizons Straight: This is one tip that will apply to almost every photography style. You have to keep the horizon straight because without that, your composition is going to look out of place and we do not want that in any style of photography.
- Silhouettes for Dramatic Effects: If you are looking to give depth to your photography, shoot silhouettes and add a dramatic effect to your pictures as that matters a lot.
Landscape Photography Tips
When done right, landscape photography looks amazing, especially if you have the eye to capture all the divinity in a single picture, then you are looking at some great shots. Let’s look at a few tips to know what is going on here.
- Don’t Go Wide with Your Aperture: Make sure that your aperture is somewhere in the middle. f/2.8 and above is what I would suggest.
- Low ISO: Of course, the ISO has to be low to avoid any noise because noise is never good in pictures.
- Tripod is a Must: In scenes that are not as well-lit, you will have to use a tripod as the shutter speed is going to be on the lower side, and you must focus on that, too. A tripod will mitigate this for you.
- Golden Hour is the Best: Landscape photography is normally the best when it is being done at the golden hour, but you can compensate or work around it as well, based on what you are trying to capture. Just watch Peter McKinnon’s Bucket Shot short film on YouTube and you will figure out why timing is so important.
- Straight Horizons in Every Picture: I honestly cannot stress enough the important of horizons in landscape or other photography style but if you are looking for something good, be sure that your horizons are as straight as they can be so you can get the perfect shots.
Real Estate Photography Tips
I know it might sound rudimentary and almost unnecessary but you would be surprised just how popular and important real estate photography is. I did not realize this until I started looking for apartments for myself and it was then when I realized the importance of good real estate photography.
Anyway, let’s look at the tips.
- Wide Angle Lens or Nothing: Whether you are using a prime or a zoom lens, you are going to need a wide angle lens for real estate photography so you can get all the angles without having to sacrifice on the field of view.
- Tripod is a Good Thing: Normally, I would not suggest a tripod for real estate photography but if you are trying to level the horizon, a tripod is a good investment.
- Don’t Be Afraid of Flash: While I would avoid using the built-in camera flash. If you have a mounting flash, feel free to use it to properly light up your shot.
- Inspect the Property First: Honestly, I would suggest you take a tour of the property first before you get to the shooting part. What this will do is that it will allow you to find the optimal angles of the place and get really good shots.
- Invest in a Drone: This is optional but if you want to capture the neighborhood as well, then investing in a drone for some aerial shots is a great idea.
Wedding Photography Tips
We have reached the point where wedding photography has become more or less industry in itself and while that is a good thing, some photographers get overwhelmed and they require tips for wedding photography. Don’t worry, we have got you covered.
- Have a Shot List: Having a shot list at hand is only going to make life easier for you as far as taking shots is concerned. You will be able to get all the shots in perfect order and without any issues.
- Coordinate with the Focal Person: I would highly suggest that you coordinate with the couple as to how the shots are going to be because it makes it easier for everyone, especially you.
- Scouting the Location: Before you start shooting, scouting the venue is going to help you a lot as you can find the best angles and spots with great lighting.
- Outline the Expectations: Discuss things with the couple and tell them that with the given setting, this is the type of photography you are going to be doing.
- Mute Your Camera: Most modern cameras are already quiet but we would suggest turning off any sounds on your camera for the best, distraction free experience.
- Use Two Lenses: If you like to take photos using a prime lens, you should have at least a 50mm and an 85mm on you so you can get the best results. However, nowadays, people are using the famous 24-70mm as well, as that covers most of the focal lengths that one would need.
Product Photography Tips
Product photography is more or less a gift that keeps on giving, to be honest. For starters, it is a vital type of photography that is used all around the world and the best part is that it does well in the market, too. But what about the tips surrounding it or how to get the perfect product photography? I am going to help you with that, too.
- Use Your Phone’s Camera: First things first, it is okay if you do not have a DSLR or a mirrorless at hand. You can get some stunning pictures with your phone’s camera as well. Just explore the pro mode and you will get the results.
- Tripod is a Must: In most cases, you will have to use a tripod because you cannot really just go ahead and shoot pictures that are going to look good on their own. You will need to use a tripod so you can have everything in order.
- Natural or Artificial Light, Both Work Fine: With natural light, you will not have to rely on different light sources, as the sun itself will do the job. However, with artificial light, you will need to properly set up the lighting before you can get started.
- Soften the Shadows: Harsher shadows are going to ruin the product photography. You will need to soften the shadows up by either filling the light or bouncing the light as that will mitigate any harshness in the shadows.
- Always Take Multiple Shots: Do not just take one shot and tell yourself that you have done the right thing because it might not suffice. For the best results and the proper ones, I would suggest that you are taking multiple shots as the results are excellent when you are doing that.
a) Lighting Tips for Product Photography
Setting up the right sort of lighting for product photography can be a tricky thing to face and can often take more time than you would want it to take and that is not what most people want, to be honest. That is why we are here to sort that out for you.
- Use At Least Off-Camera Two Lights: Off-camera lights would be the ones that are not attached to the camera, and are placed somewhere else in the frame, preferably hidden away from the field of view.
- Using Light Modifiers: Another thing is that you can light modifiers like umbrellas to create the proper effect when you are shooting a product.
- Strategic Light Placement: Strategic light placement is another thing that you will have to take into account as you cannot really mess this up. Take some time and experiment to see which setup looks the best.
- The Backlight Should Be Brighter: The backlight should be slightly brighter than the front so you can properly highlight the product the right way.
Newborn Photography Tips
I understand that it might not matter much to a lot of people but newborn photography is important and we cannot overlook that. Newborn photography tips are going to help a lot of photographers who are not as good with the process.
- Know When to Shoot: The first thing is that you should know when you need to shoot. Normally. 7 to 14 days after birth is the right time.
- Your Equipment: An important part that you should never overlook is that your equipment is going to matter. So, keep the props, your camera, and the lenses at hand.
- Consult with the Parents: Newborn photography is not something that the photographer alone can handle. So, you will have to consult and guide the parents, as well.
- Doing it at Home: We always suggest that this should be done at home, because the baby will be most relaxed in that environment.
Lots of Photos: You should never just settle with a few pictures. As you would with other photography styles, I would highly suggest you are taking multiple photos so it gets easier for you.
a) Newborn Photography Tips for Parents
As a parent, you will have to keep some tips in mind, too. Especially when it comes to photographing a newborn and I am going to tell you what needs to be handled.
- Scheduling the Session: You will have to schedule the session beforehand because there are so many photographers who only do sessions when the baby is 5 to 14 days old.
- Keep the Baby Awake: As a parent, your responsibility will be to ensure that the baby is awake because if they fall asleep, you might not have the same, ideal experience.
- Feeding Your Baby: You will also need to be sure that the baby is fed before the session because if they do feel hungry and start crying, it won’t make up for a good photography experience.
- Undressing is Fine: Honestly, undressing your baby is fine, and that is how most photographers are going to prefer it as well as it will take much better and natural looking pictures.
Street Photography Tips
Over the past couple of years, street photography is one of the styles that has managed to become a lot more popular than you might think at first. Honestly, this style is not for everyone but hey, if you are looking to take some stunning-looking pictures, street photography is the way to go and the results are always great.
With that said, below are some tips for you.
- Don’t Get Up Close: The first thing that I am going to suggest to you is that you should refrain from getting up close and personal because that takes the essence out of street photography.
- Everyone Can Be Photographed: One more thing that you must understand is that everyone can be photographed and you cannot just look the other way. Musicians, pedestrians, animals, you name it, and photograph it.
- Use Shop Windows: If you are in a shop with a large window that is also clear, you can always get behind it and shoot the street that is already happening .Will give you much more candid looking photos.
- Keep a Good Contrast: Another thing that I would suggest is that you are keeping a good contrast. Why? Well, you would need to be sure that all the colors in the street are complementing each other and that is something that you cannot overlook.
- Candid All The Way: You do not have to ask people to pose whenever you are indulging in street photography. Honestly, you can just wait for the candid moments to happen and capture them.
- Black and White Can Add Depth: If colors are not your style, I would highly suggest that you are looking for black and white so you can add some depth in the pictures. I understand that this is not what most people would prefer but going this route can result in some stunning pictures.
a) Street Art Photography Tips
Street art is beautiful in most cases, and photographing all that art is a fun thing to do if you are looking for something different and unique, and well, we are here to help you with some tips.
- Moving Around: Honestly, I would always suggest that you are moving around so you can change your vantage point, and capture the art from various points.
- Including Elements: I would also suggest that you are including various elements in your pictures.
- Details Matter: Be sure that the pictures that you are taking are sharp and brimming with detail. Stop the aperture down if you have to do that.
- Great Backgrounds for Portraits: Another thing that you can do with street art is that you can use it for portraits and it would work really well.
- Don’t Forget the Credits: Remember, you are capturing the work that was done by someone else, and therefore, you must pay the credits to them so you know that you are doing the right think.
- HDR Can Be Great: Another thing that I would suggest to you is that you can use HDR to really bring out the contrast and make everything look pop. You would not regret that at all.
Headshot Photography Tips
I am going to go ahead and tell you that Martin Schoeller is one of my favorite portrait photographers and his headshots are some of the best-looking pictures that I have had the pleasure to look at. I have always wanted to take pictures like him. Below, I have shared some tips that will help you take some amazing headshots.
- Do a Consultation: As a photographer, I would always suggest that you are talking to the people who are getting photographed beforehand and give them the directions in case they are in need of them.
- Help Them Pick the Costumes: Whehter you are doing it with costumes or with clothes, I would always suggest that you are helping them with the right costumes or clothes.
- Have the Background Separated: if you do not this, the entire picture will end up looking flat. So, be sure that you have created a separation between the subject and the background.
- Let Your Subjects Relax: Having your headshot taken is one of the most overwhelming experiences, and having your subjects relax is a great way to get them in the mood.
- Always Pay Attention to the Lighting: You are going to need some really professional lighting if you are looking to get things in order. Be sure that you have paid enough attention and that should get the job done, too. I know it is not easy for many people but take your time and you will be able to get it in order.
Family Photography Tips
I am fully aware of just how complicated family photography can be and honestly, there are a lot of situations in which things can go wrong in the process, and we are not blaming anyone here. Thankfully, if you are trying to get things in order. There are some tips that you should keep in mind.
Below are some tips to make your life easier.
- Use a Tripod: Using a tripod will allow you to capture pictures that look really good and properly composed.
- Shooting in Manual Mode: Don’t rely on your camera’s auto-mode when you are taking family pictures as the algorithms can easily get confused.
- Focus Lock is Good: Be sure that you have locked the focus because that way, it will be able to take great pictures.
- Keep The Heads Staggered: You do not want every head to be in the same form and stature, because that way, the picture would look terribly staged. Stagger them, ask people to make faces if they wish to.
- Good Lighting: Yes, good lighting is going to be very important since when you are taking a family photo, you want every subject to be lit in different ways so they can easily be separated.
- Stop The Aperture Down: My first mistake was to shoot a family photo at f/1.8 and while I thought it would be a good idea, it never really worked the right way, because pictures just looked out of focus. In order to be sure that everyone is being focused on the right way, and the picture is not soft in most of the places.
Eclipse Photography Tips
Eclipse photography is not an easy thing and we are all aware of that. However, that does not mean that we are going to give up on it. If you are looking to go ahead with this type of photography and you need help with it, you are at the right place.
The tips for eclipse photography are listed below.
- Buying Protective Gear: First things first, you will need to get your hands on protective gear for not just your eyes but for your camera, too. Remember, never point the camera directly at the sun or your eyes, for that matter.
- Tripod is a Must: One more thing that I am going to suggest to you is that you should always get your hands on a tripod because without that, you are not going to be able to take the right picture.
- Never Do it Without a Solar Filter: Without using a solar filter, the sunrays can burn a hole through your camera’s sensor and your eyes, too. We want to avoid that and for that, you will need a solar ND filter.
- Buy a Remote Shutter: A remote shutter is great if you are in the path of totality, because in such instances, you will have to drop the shutter speed, and well, the results then might not be ideal for everyone. So, it is better that you are getting a remote shutter so you do not have to touch the camera.
- Camera Settings: The aperture should be between f/5.6 and f/8. The shutter speeds should be the fastest that your camera allows and adjust it down as the light is decreasing. The ISO should be the lowest one available.
Night Photography Tips
Night photography looks impressive, to be honest. But the thing is that most of the time, people do not know how to get started and things can get complicated in the process and we want to avoid that at all costs. Thankfully, the night photography tips that I am going to share with you will only help you.
- Scouting is Good: The first thing that you should do is scout the location you are going to be photographing at to find the right spots.
- A Flashlight is Good to Have: No, I am not talking about the one that you have on your phone. But having a separate, powerful flashlight is good.
- Lower the Aperture: You will have to lower the aperture so your camera can let a lot of light in.
- The ISO Should be as Low as Possible: Higher ISO is not your friend and we are all aware of that. If you are trying to get the best pictures, be sure that the ISO is as low as possible.
- Don’t Forget the Tripod: Forgetting the tripod will be your biggest mistake because there are situations in which you might have to use a slower shutter speed and, in such cases, a tripod is your only friend that will help you get the cleanest possible shot.
a) Night Sports Photography Tips
Who does not enjoy sports, right? Well, a lot of people don’t but as a photographer, you might find yourself in instances where you will have to take part in night sports photography, and having some handful tips with you is always going to make your experience a lot easier and simpler.
- Equipment Does Matter: You will need to have a good camera that can shoot images at 1600 ISO without noise. A good sports lens with a wide aperture as well, and possibly an external flash.
- Finding the Right Angle: You will also need to find the right angle. The tip here is to stay as close to the ground as possible. Sitting or kneeling can help you get the right angle, as well and you will be able to fill the frame properly.
- Predicting the Action is Important: I know it might not matter much to so many photographers but being a sports photographer, you should be able to predict what is going to happen next so you can take the perfect shot by preparing yourself for it.
- Don’t Forget the Surroundings: People around you will be more or less in frenzy whenever you are capturing the sports. Don’t forget to add the cheers or disappointments in your shots. Sometimes, sports photography heavily relies on that because you manage to capture both ends of the story.
- Good Post Production Goes a Long Way: Postproduction or post processing is something that is going to take you a long way. I know it might not be any easy thing for a lot of people but hey, why not go ahead and give it a try and get some really good shots.
b) Night Portrait Photography Tips
Night portrait photography has become so much more popular than any of us initially thought it would be but honestly, for all the right reasons because you are looking at some stunning pictures and that too, without too much effort. However, it is not going to be that easy since capturing at night can be a tricky process.
Thankfully, we are here to help you get things in order.
- Nail the Focus: Honestly, you would have to nail the focus and use a prime lens with good autofocusing system.
- Opening the Aperture: At night, I would suggest that you keep the aperture as open as possible so you can get more and more light into the sensor.
- Slowing the Shutter: You will also need to lower your shutter speed. If you are not using a tripod, then I’d suggest you go as low as 1/60th of a second but if it is anything below that, using a tripod is what I’d suggest.
- Raising the ISO: Depending on how good your camera is, you might have to raise the ISO. But be sure that you are only raising it to levels that are not going to introduce any noise in the picture because then it would be a troubling situation.
- A Lower Power Diffused Speedlight: if you need more light in the picture, you can use a low power but diffused speedlight that can help you light up the scene only enough to let you capture the perfect picture.
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography is of course one of the most detailed photography types and has been around for as long as one can remember and to be honest, for beginners, countless things can go wrong in the process, as well.
However, with these wildlife photography tips, you would do just fine.
- Get Familiar: If you are starting in an environment where you have never been before, I would suggest that you take a day and familiarize yourself with the environment or start at a familiar environment.
- Get the Local Knowledge: Asks the locals about the animals that are most commonly found in the area.
- Understanding the Subjects: You will have to do some research on the animals that roam in that area and how they act when provoked.
- Avoid Provoking the Animals: I would always suggest that you are avoiding any interaction with the animals as you never know what the results are going to be.
- Waiting Game is Important: You will have to wait so you can get the perfect shot, because otherwise, you might not be able to.
- Taking Lots of Pictures: You will also have to be sure that you are not just limiting yourself to a few shots, you will probably have to take a lot of shots and that is the goal.
- Using a Long Range Lens: You will also need to use a long range lens, and make sure that it is a sharp lens, too. These won’t be cheap but the results are going to surprise you the most.
a) Bird Photography Tips
Honestly, if done correctly, bird photography can be a lot of fun and you are not going to get it wrong either as long as you are taking care of some basics. The tips are right here for you, so you can get started.
- High Shutter Speed is a Must: In order to get the best pictures, you will have to shoot at a higher shutter speed. Normally, 1/1000th of a second is what we would suggest.
- Always Focus on the Bird’s Eye: If you want to be sure that you are getting the best images, you should always focus on the bird’s eye to get the best possible picture. If the eye is sharp, the rest of the picture will always be great.
- Choosing the Background: You will have to be careful whenever you are choosing the background. Pictures with objects behind the birds are not going to look as good, so you should be looking for smoother backgrounds.
- Patience is Key: You will also need to know that patience is key and without the proper patience, you might not be able to get things in order, to be honest.
- Take Lots of Images: I cannot stress this enough but whenever you are in the process of wildlife photography, you cannot just be done with one image. You will have to take a lot of images and that is the right thing to do.
Jewelry Photography Tips
I am going to be honest, photographing jewelry is not an easy task. Especially when you look at the facts that there are often many elements and facets to a piece of jewelry and having every single one of them captured the right way can be difficult and you might not be ready for it, either.
Thankfully, the process can be easy if you follow these tips. Let’s have a look at them.
- Lots of Natural Light: Natural light is going to help you take the best images a lot more than artificial light will. Place your jewelry close to a window and let your creativity flow with ease.
- A Good Backdrop: Additionally, we would also using a good backdrop which can be anything like a white sheet or paper, because those are going to give you a good depth and will result in some stunning images.
- Tripod is Good: To make sure that your images are properly composed, you can and should always use a tripod. It will go a long way, and there is no denying that.
- A Mannequin Bust is Good: You can use props to present your jewelry and give people an idea as to how it will look and a mannequin bust is just the thing.
- Use Strings and Cardboards: You can also go ahead and use strings and cardboards to place your jewelry against and add a level of depth. Honestly, the results are going to be amazing regardless of the situation you are in, and you will love this.
The good thing here is that the tips for indoor jewelry photography are more or less the same, to be honest. You can use the same tips for outdoor jewelry photography but you will have to add some reflectors and diffusers to get the pictures right all the time.
Pet Photography Tips
Being a pet owner, I can tell you that pets are amazing to capture. They are the complete opposite of humans and the best part is that they never pose. So, the one thing that you will always know is that all of their photos are going to be candid and that is an amazing thing, to say the least.
With that said, pet photography tips can be of great help to all beginners.
- Natural Light is Always Better: Honestly, if you want to take a pet photo, you have to do it while they are doing their thing because that is the best and for that, you will need natural light as well.
- Focus on the Eyes: You have to focus on the eyes because again, you cannot just go ahead and take random shots. If the eyes are sharp, you will get a great picture. Plus, this is a tip for portrait photography of all sorts.
- Highlight the Characteristics: If your pet has some characteristics that are more prominent, then it is better that you are focusing on that. Why? Because that would give the picture a lot more depth and will tell a story.
- Don’t Be Afraid of Macro: One more thing is that you should never be afraid of going macro because macro shots are amazing, and that is true.
- Try Surprising Your Pet: Although some pets are hard to surprise; but you can try and surprise them and well, capture that reaction in a picture.
- Be Patient: One tip that I always tell everyone is that you have to be patient whenever you are trying to capture your pet’s picture. Especially if it is a proper portrait because in that situation, you cannot just live with something that is going to be random. You have to always get the right picture and sometimes, be patient to get that picture the right way.
Whether you are trying to capture your pet at the moment, or you are trying your hand at a pet portrait photograph, these tips are always going to be of great help to you and you will not have much to worry about.
Black and White Photography Tips
While I would never call black and white photography tricky, it is something that can confuse and overwhelm a lot of people. The thing is simple, whenever you are taking these photos, you have to emphasize certain things, and considering how color is no longer part of the picture, you can’t rely on certain aspects.
With that said, these black and white photography tips should help you a lot
- High Contrast: Always shoot in ways where you are getting high contrast. Black and white means black and white. It does not mean a lot of black and some grey or the other way around. Lots of contrast will give your images the depth you want.
- Using Texture is Good: if you are looking to create more contrast in your photos, you can always add texture which is only going to make your photos look good and well, give them more character.
- Look at the Light Sources: If you are out on the street, monitor the light sources and see how they can affect the pictures you are taking and if they are good, use them to create contrast.
- Using a Small Aperture: We are also going to suggest that you are using a smaller aperture and a lower ISO value. This way, you are going to be able to capture a lot of detail in your photos and that too, without any issues.
- Check the Histogram: Although this is not something that is going to work for everyone but histograms are a great way for learning the colors in a picture. First, learn how to use a histogram on your camera or in Adobe Lightroom, and then you can utilize that in your pictures.
Photography Tips for Devices
Photography is a lot of fun on your cameras but what if I tell you that modern devices have come a long way, and are now being used as the main source of taking great photos. You know how they say that the best camera is the one that you can carry with you with ease, and our Android and iPhone devices play the part just nicely.
Below, I have shared some common tips that you can use for your iPhone and your Android devices, too.
iPhone and Android Photography Tips
iPhones have come a long way and this is not something that comes as a surprise. You can get some stunning shots with iPhones and they are always going to look great. Whether you are new to mobile photography or you are just trying to get better at photography with your iPhone, these tips are surely going to be of good use to you.
Similarly, you can also use the same tips for your Android devices as more or less, both devices have similar performing cameras, especially on the higher end spectrum. Rather than splitting this and making the whole guide redundant, we have decided to just focus on a unified guide that works well for both.
- Keep the Photos Simple: Honestly, you do not have to go ahead and take complex looking shots at all. Just keep them simple and they will end up looking excellent. Once you have nailed the basics, you can start moving towards more complicated shots.
- A Lower Angle is Better: Honestly, shooting from a lower angle can result in really good balance and composition. Sure, there are some situations in which you will have to shoot from a higher angle but if you want to get the perspective right, shoot always from a lower angle.
- Try and Show Depth: Make your photographs stand out by showing a depth in them because they matter a lot and you are not really going to have any issues, either. I get it, it’s complicated but hey, it is only going to result in some excellent photos.
- Try and Get Close: Yes, phones do have telephoto cameras but they are not as powerful as your main cameras, and this means that whenever you are taking pictures using the main camera, the results are going to get better. Try getting close to your subject and you’ll be amazed by the results you get.
- Focus on Silhouettes: One more thing is that you should focus on shooting silhouettes as that is going to result in some amazing looking pictures and that too, without any complication. I understand that they can be complicated at first since there is plenty of contrast but trying it is not going to be a problem, right?
- Don’t Forget the Shadows: Honestly, you can do some really amazing iPhone photography whenever you are adding shadows into your compositions. I am not saying that you should be forcing shadows, but do add them and you’ll see the difference.
- Reflections Can Look Amazing: Another thing is that reflections are something that are going to look amazing when they are right. So, do not hesitate here and try to capture the reflections so they can look good and give character to your pictures.
- Symmetry Never Goes Out of Fashion: You’ll also need to realise that symmetry never gets boring. Thanks to our phones being smaller and being able to fit in tight spaces, you can do really well with compositions and having symmetrical shots.
- Shoot in Pro/Manual Mode: iPhones and Androids have a Pro or a Manual mode which might seem like a whole heap of manual controls that are put there to confuse people but that is not true at all. The best thing about these controls is that they give you a complete control over how the shots are going to look like and well, you can get some really amazing shots out of it, too. So, always utilize these modes for your benefits.
Drone Photography Tips
Although it is important to realize that drones were primarily made for capturing videos, over the past couple of years, photographers have found a way to make some stunning-looking pictures using their drones, and well, the results are amazing.
Therefore, sharing some handy drone photography tips with you is only going to help you get some amazing photos that you will enjoy a lot.
- Play with the Perspective: With drones, you get some of the best point of view that no other camera can bring and if you play with the perspective, you get some amazing results, too.
- Look for the Dividing Lines: Look for dividing lines and use them in your shots, and you would be surprised just how stark the difference can become.
- Capture Patterns: Drone photography is more or less free for all, and the results you can get out of it are amazing, to say the least. So, why not go ahead and capture patterns and capture whatever looks good to you.
- Contrasting Colors for Unique Shots: As I said before, drones do give you access to some insane perspective, and you can use those combined with their colors for some really unique shots that look amazing.
- Go Abstract: Photography is something that needs to look good to you and that is always the main thing. If you think that going abstract is going to make things look better and look good, why not go ahead and take charge.
- Shooting the Horizon: While you are at it, go ahead and capture the horizons and everything that comes with them. I do understand that it might not be easy for a lot of people in the start but the more you are focused on this, the better it is eventually going to be. Therefore, it is better that you are always looking at it.
Tips for Capturing Amazing Pictures
Honestly, the thing I learned about photography in so many years is that you are never too old to learn more. Photography is like education, the more you get it, the better you eventually get it. That is why almost all the photographers, veterans, or otherwise are in a constant state of learning and are always going to keep getting better and better.
Below, we have shared some photography tips that are going to help you a lot.
Photography Tips for Beginners
I was a beginner too, once. It took me 2 years to finally perfect my style and find something that I could call my own. Having tips at hand is always going to help you because you can get some stunning pictures out of it. So, why not go ahead and look for these.
- Move Closer: There are very few lenses that can retain the overall quality of the picture even when zoomed in. Therefore, it is better that you are moving closer to the subject if you think it is far from the perspective you are trying to shoot.
- Practice, Practice, Practice!: I am also going to suggest that you are practicing every day. I know, it does sound like an overwhelming thing but the more you practice, the better you get it. Not just that, by practicing every day, I would suggest that you are also experimenting with various styles, so you know how to get amazing shots.
- Lighting Should be Even: If you are taking pictures, I would highly suggest that the lighting is even so you are getting the shots that you want. It is not going to create any issues for you or anyone else, for that matter and will result in some amazing looking pictures.
- Composition Matters a Lot: You are going to mess up a lot of shots in the start because of poor composition but don’t let that put you down. You should always focus on good compositions and make sure that they look great.
- Keep Spare Batteries: Nothing makes me mad more than running out of batteries whenever I am trying to take pictures and honestly, having a spare battery on you is always a great thing. This is one thing that even professionals are going to suggest to you.
- Depth of Field is Important: You should be able to understand how depth of field plays an important role in images and how you can use it to create your images and give them style.
- Golden Hour is Good: I know, golden hour has been used to death and a lot of people don’t even have the idea of how to handle all of that the right way, but it is better that you are fully aware of how golden hour works. Study it for a while and see if it works for you and you can get the results you want.
- Use the Rule of Thirds: Honestly, using the rule of thirds has allowed me to compose so many amazing shots that I cannot even begin to describe. Sure, it will take you some time to get better at it but once you get used to it, you will only be able to take great shots.
Photography Lighting Tips
Having good lighting in your pictures matters a lot. More often than not, good lighting is the one thing that stands between a good and a bad photo, and honestly, if you have learned how to masterfully light your shots, you have learned a massive chunk of photography there and you are only getting better at that point.
Below, we are discussing some photography lighting tips, so you know what to look into.
- Using a Broad Light Source: Honestly, using a broader light source is going to make a lot of difference. I know it does not always look like it, but hey, with a broader and wider light source, you are eventually getting softer light overall, which always looks excellent.
- Placing the Light Close to Your Subject: One more thing is that you should be placing the light source close to the subject so everything can be evenly lit and you are not missing out anything.
- Use Front Lighting with Judgement: Just because I tell you to light up your scene does not mean that you have to go crazy with the lighting. You will need to use lighting but the front lighting has to be used with judgement and the same goes for the back lighting. You do not need too much or too little of it.
- Don’t Forget the Shadows: The one tip that I am going to give to you is that you should never forget the shadows because they do end up adding a depth into your photos and give you an additional dimension as well. These pictures do look really good when shadows are properly used.
- Don’t Ignore the Color Temperature: You will also need to know that the color temperature of the picture. This is a general photography tip as well as a tip for lighting. You have to be sure that the color temperature of the light is aligned with the color temperature you want in your pictures. This will save you the hassle of going through the post protection just to correct the temperature, which can always be a hit and miss.
- Use Light Box for Smaller Objects: If you are doing product photography, I can always suggest that you are using light boxes for smaller objects. These boxes are available in various sizes, and the best part is that they are inexpensive, and can result in some excellent shots, too. So, always focus on these and you will get the results you want.
Time Lapse Photography Tips
Time-lapse photography is one of my favorite styles, and while it is complicated for some when done right, you can get some stunning time-lapses, and the best part is that you are not going to need a lot of specialized equipment, either.
A camera, a tripod, a good lens, and some sense of what you are doing is all that you need and you will get amazing shots.
- Choosing the Right Aperture: You will have to choose the right aperture in which it is keeping your subject in focus and sharp rather than blowing it out and making it soft. Generally, I’d keep the aperture at f/2.8 or above as that is generally the best range.
- Shutter Speed Matters: Choosing the shutter speed matters a lot and it largely depends on the type of look you are trying to achieve. Considering how looks are subjective, this is largely on you and you will have to experiment before you can reach the right one.
- Lower ISOs are Better: I honestly think that the lower ISO value is always going to be better because one thing that you must understand is that higher ISO is only going to introduce more noise. Thankfully, some cameras are really good with their sensors and can easily handle higher ISO values, too.
- Manual Focus is the Key: I know it sounds strange but having manual focus is going to be better. This will maintain a consistent focus for each shot. If you put it on autofocus, it would retry to focus every time there is a new object, and this could create a lot of blur and out of focus shots, too.
- Play with the Intervals: In time lapses, intervals are the speed through which the camera captures. This can vary, but it is going to be up to you. The number here is going to be frames per second, wherein, how many frames the camera is going to capture in a second. So, always look into this before you are setting your camera up.
Some Basic Photography Questions to Help You Get Through
If you are starting in photography, you might have some questions in mind. In some cases, you might have a lot of questions in mind, and having the right answers is always the right way to handle this and honestly, it is not as easy as you might think.
Therefore, we have answered some of the questions we received about photography.
How to Shoot in Manual Mode?
When you are talking about shooting in manual mode on a camera, there are two ways. One is of course putting the lens in manual mode. That is done by flipping the switch that you can find on your lens. The other is putting your camera in manual mode in which you will have complete control over your camera’s aspects. This is done by adjusting the mode dial and moving it to Manual or M and you will be good to go.
How to Photograph a Prefect Fashion Lookbook?
A lookbook is more or less catalog photography but with lifestyle elements into it. You can see models posing in streets and other places where normally models are not seen. A lot of times, people want to know how to photograph a perfect fashion lookbook and honestly, it can be done with ease but so many times, you might not have access to the right equipment or the process to handle that.
With that said, creating a fashion lookbook is not difficult at all and I am going to guide you on how to do that.
- Model Your Friends: Simply put, ask your friends to model for you and doing so you will have people who are willing to help you create some amazing looking pictures. There is nothing wrong with doing so and you can get some amazing results, too.
- Use the Props You Have: Any sort of lookbook should not be limited with what you have. If you are looking to add some flare into the pictures, just use the props that you have.
- Use Backdrops: The world is your playground and keeping this in mind, you should always use backdrops to make your pictures look good and make them look unique.
- Natural Light Can Be Used Creatively: You would be surprised to know how the natural light can be used creatively and give you some amazing pictures.
- Keep the Poses Simple: I am honestly not asking anyone to go crazy with the poses because that would just defeat the purpose. You should just keep the poses simple and straight forward and you would be able to get some stunning shots out of it and that too, without any complications.
- Always Go for Different Looks: One more tip that I have been giving to people is that they should always go for different looks, and that is going to help you a lot, and it will keep your lookbook diverse as well.
Tips on How to Start a Mini Photography Business
I have been contacted by a lot of people who have asked me about starting a photography business, and honestly, things have never been complicated, as most of the time, there are things that can easily handle everything but there is nothing wrong with the process, either.
Now, the good news that I have for you is that you can actually start your photography business and do it with ease, too. I have shared a few tips for you that can help you.
- Finding the Specialty: The first thing that you should be aware of is that you need to find your specialty. Once you know what style of photography you are good at, you will be able to nail the style without any issues.
- Have a Plan: Regardless of the business you are talking, you can never get it started without a plan. So, the first thing that you will need is have a plan because that is going to help you a lot.
- Getting Kitted: The next step involves having everything that you need for a photography business. A few lights, a good prime or zoom lenses, and a good camera should get you started.
- Going Online: Now that you have sorted the things that you need and the things that you have, it is time to go online and create a presence so it can help you reach to an audience.
- Creating a Portfolio: Remember, it is always better that you are creating a portfolio and more often than not, this is the hardest part of creating a portfolio is the fact that there are some pictures that you just won’t feel like taking, but it is something that we cannot miss.
- Attracting the Clients: Once you have a good enough portfolio, you can start approaching people who are interested in working with you. Your portfolio should be more than enough to convince the clients, so do pay special attention to that.
- Growing the Business: Once you are out in the market, it is only going to be a matter of time until your business starts growing. Remember, always keep an online presence and never stop learning and improving as that is considered the bane of every artist.
Tips on What to Wear for Photography?
If you are going someplace where there are going to be photographers, the one thing that you will always have to be certain about is dressing the right way. After all, we do not want to look out of place even if we are not looking forward to being photographed. Therefore, it is always better to focus on this.
Below are some tips that will help you decide what to wear for photography; intentional or unintentional, this is only going to help you.
- Dark Colors Can Slenderize: I know it might not make sense to many people but dark colors can always slenderize you and it is only going to end up looking good. Dark colors are beautiful when they are done right.
- Toning Down the Bright Colors: You do not have to go to any event looking brighter than needed as you are only going to look out of place, and honestly, that is not what I would suggest to anyone. Sure, it might take you some time but it is genuinely better that you are focused on this and getting the right experience, too.
- Light Clothing Can Look Fresh: If you are looking for a fresher look, opt for lighter clothing and you will look a lot better, too.
- Prints and Patterns are Not Fun: Unless the event specifically calls for it, wearing prints and patterns are not going to result in pictures that would look good. The opposite, actually.
- Short Sleeved Clothing is a No: Either you go sleeveless with the dress, or you go full sleeves. Going for short sleeved clothing is not going to give any character to your pictures.
- Mind the Accessories: A nice watch, ring, or a fine piece of jewelry is always good, but remember that you are not there to over accessorize and distract everything in your picture. Keep things simple.
- Check Your Make Up, Hair, and Your Nails: One more thing is that you will always have to check for your make up, hair, and nails. Just be sure that they are prim and proper so nothing else goes wrong. Take a minute to sort these out and you will do just fine.
Conclusion
When you are looking at photography, it is safe to realize that this art form is perhaps one of the most diverse. There are countless forms, genres, styles that you have to look into, and finding the one that suits you is important. However, it does not just end there. Even when you have mastered the style, there is always more to learn and you must focus on all the things the right way.
I do understand that it can take some time to get used to it but hey, you have this guide at hand and you can take some stunning pictures using this guide. Again, I would always reiterate my statement that is going to take you some time to master the art of photography, and only then you will be able to reach the state that you wanted to be at. One must never forget that.