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So you want to take good photos..

So you want to take good photos..
Were do you start? What do you need? How do you take a photo that’s a keeper?

I don’t profess to be a professional and the advice I give isn’t gospel - it is what I’ve learnt thru reading photography books and being on photography forums and what I’ve learnt from being a budding advanced amateur photographer.

One thing to keep in mind is that photography isn’t all about having this camera or that camera - what makes a photo is the person taking it and the thought they put into it. You need to know your camera and its controls and settings well. Unless you understand the basics you will be struggling to get good shots.

CAMERA

What camera you buy depends on what kind of thing you want it for. Is it for family snaps? Is it for pics you want to print and if so what size prints? Is it for nature pics or sports? All these need to be taken into account.

To be able to take decent family snaps that print out sharply at 6 by 4 - the standard photo size from a shop such as boots - you really need a camera that takes pics at 3million pixels or over. This will give a crisp print at 6 by 4. The more pixels the larger you can get a print. The camera I use is 6million pixels but has a setting to change it to 12million hence meaning larger prints (20 by 16).

When you buy your camera make time to sit down and read the manual with your camera in hand and learn what everything does. Check things like settings - most cameras have a way to make sure photos are taken on HIGH which means you have the best quality photos being taken.

So you know your camera inside out - batteries are in and memory card in. You’re off to say the beach with the kids. How do you get a nice pic, in focus, not too dark and not too light.

TAKING PHOTOS

Keep dirt and sand and grit away from the camera.
Keep the sun behind you - if it is in front of you you will get lens flare all thru the photo.
If the person in the photo has light clothes on or dark clothes against light skin then focus on the lightest part – this way you wont get burnt out bits that are over bright and lose detail.
Check what is around and behind. Often photos are spoilt due to a post or pole shooting out of somebody’s head or a pile of rubbish on the floor next to the person.
Use the VIEWFINDER – not the screen on the back of the camera to compose and take your photo. If you use the viewfinder (this is the piece you look thru with one eye) then you will see what will be in the actual photo.

These are just some basics for taking good quality family snaps.

Now get out there and start snapping!!!!!

ALSO TO COME

Taking Portraits, lighting, backgrounds etc.
Sports Photography
Nature and Landscapes
Software to use for working on photos.

To see any of my or my partners work, please go to www.emandantphotography.com