Top 50 Photography tips

Welcome to my Top 50 Photography Tips. Scan through my list of tips you may find some interesting information and something that may help you next time your are out with a camera.

Top 50 photography - Choose a camera that is right for you.

1. Think about the size of camera you want, compact point and shoot or a larger DSLR.


2. Choose a camera that is easy to use, such as a point and shoot, or a more complex DSLR which will give you more creative control.


3. If most of your shots will be indoors or in the evening buy a camera with a powerful flash and useful flash functions. Or purchase a camera with a hot shoe for an external flash.


4. Buy a camera with enough resolution, If you are printing 4x6 pictures, a 2-4 megapixel camera will do, if you wish to create large prints you will need more megapixels.


5. LCD or viewfinder? A viewfinder on a SLR frames the photograph exactly as the film or image sensor "sees" it.


6. If you have poor eye sight, select a camera with a diopter, which will allow you to adjust the optics of the viewfinder to correct for near-sided or far-sided vision.


7. A large LCD will allow you to view your photographs immediately and menu displays will be easier to read.



Top 50 photography - Take care of your camera

8. Use a camera case for your camera when not in use, for protection from dust, bumps, dings and drops.


9. Use your shoulder or wrist strap to protect your camera if you accidentally drop it.


10. Protect your camera from heat, do not store your camera in a car on a hot day, if you must, place it in the trunk of your car.


11. Purchase a cleaning kit including a microfiber cloth, lens cleaning tissues and lens cleaning solutions.


12. read owners manual for proper care and cleaning directions.



Top 50 photography - Exposure

13. If you are shooting indoors or in dim ambient light conditions, select ISO 400 film or image sensor setting.


14. "p" setting on your camera (program shooting), is a mode in which the camera selects the optimum aperture value and shutter speed automatically for the shot. Useful if you do not wish to use the flash.


15. "A" setting (aperture priority), is the mode you use if you wish to select the aperture value and the camera automatically selects the optimum shutter speed for the shot.


16. "S" setting (shutter priority), will allow you to set the desired shutter speed and the camera selects the optimum aperture value.


17. "M" setting (manual), gives you the greatest amount of control allowing you to set both aperture value and shutter speed to your likeing.


18. "A" setting (automatic), in automatic mode the camera meters the scene and automatically selects the aperture value, shutter speed and flash for the shot. Point and shoot.


19. The aperture controls the amount of light onto the film or image sensor, through an adjustable opening in the lens, which works similarly to the human eye.


20. The shutter controls the amount of light onto the film or image sensor, by opening for a prescribed period of time.


21. If you are shooting a back lit subject, aim the camera at the subject and press the shutter release half way for metering, then using your exposure override to lock the exposure setting while you re-frame your desired shot. or you can hold the shutter release button half way while you re-frame then press the shutter release all the way to take the shot. (Check your owners manual, your camera may not have an exposure override function)


22. Choose a focal point for your photograph. A photograph without a definite focal point will be featureless and boring.


23. Frame the focal point so it is not directly in the center of the frame. Photographs such as portraits and architecture the focal point should be centered.


24. Use lines - Vertical lines accentuates the height of the subject. Horizontal lines are calming and act as lead lines leading your viewers eyes to the focal point. Diagonal lines add a sense of motion to the photograph and act as lead lines. Curved lines provide a natural lead to your subject.


25. Repeating patterns give order and are calming to the viewer.


26. Change your point of view to change the effect of the photograph, as an example taking a portrait of a child from above will have a diminutive effect compared to a portrait from straight on or below.


27. Simplify your photographs, avoid clutter and distractions in the foreground and behind your subject.



Top 50 photography - Use the flash

28. Check your owners manual for your specific flash functions. Some common flash functions include: red eye reduction, automatic flash, fill in flash, slow sync, etc...


29. External flashes will have more power and more functions.


30. Use an external flash to bounce the light from the flash off the ceiling or wall, diffusing the light and redirecting it to your subject for a more natural look.


31. Use a white cloth or napkin over your built in flash to diffuse the light.


32. When diffusing the light from the flash either from bouncing or with a cloth, you will need longer shutter speeds for proper exposure.


33. Check the background before using a flash, a shiny surface will reflect the flash back to the camera. Change your point of view or background to avoid this. Your subjects eyeglasses can have the same effect.


34. Back lit subjects, use night flash (may be called, slow sync, night+portrait fill flash etc...) to capture a back lit scene and your subject. If you wish for a silhouette of your subject, turn the flash off.



Top 50 photography - Take your camera out at night

35. Use a film speed or ISO setting on your digital camera, which is more sensitive to light when shooting in low light conditions.


36. ISO 400 is a good all around film, working well in most lighting conditions. Higher ISO's produce grainier looking photographs. If you wish for sharp photographs use low ISO film, if you like the grainy look high ISO films are fine.


37. If you do not wish to use a flash at night you will need a tripod or other stable surface to avoid the blur caused by camera shake.


38. If your are shooting a subject being illuminated by a campfire use a shutter speed of 1/30th of a second and an aperture of f/2. (For many more shooting conditions see my graph).



Top 50 photography - Take a picture of people

39. Use an uncluttered background so you do not distract the viewers from your model.


40. When taking photographs of babies, be considerate, the baby does not need a bright flash flashing in there eyes. Use the ambient lighting for baby pictures.


41. Be prepared when taking baby photographs, you never know when the baby is going to do something cute.


42. When taking photos of kids use a zoom lens so you can get close without crowding and making them feel uncomfortable.


43. When taking a formal portraits of kids, prepare ahead of time, kids will not have the patience to sit and wait while you set up the lighting, tripod, background etc....


44. When photographing a family, place mother and father in the middle and surround them with the kids. Place the tallest family members in the back so you do not block the view of any others.


45. If you plan on being part of any group photograph, leave a spot for yourself in the group pose so you can quickly move into position while the timer counts down.



Top 50 photography - Miscellaneous

46. Experiment with your camera, exposures, settings, lighting, poses etc...


47. Read your cameras owners manual to learn all the functions and features of your camera. Keep it with you for reference.


48. Do not forget, extra film, batteries, memory cards etc...


49. The most important tip of my top 50 photography tips: HAVE FUN


50. Return to Beginning-photographytips.com often.


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