Photography Tricks
Here is a collection of tricks from many different sources
(by Quatrom technologies)
Composition
-Carry your camera everywhere
-Zoom with your feet, not with your lens.
-Get closer! Fill your frame with the subject.
-Think outside the box...don't always shoot at shoulder level...get on the same level as the subject...shoot down over the subject (from a ladder or second story)...get away from boring, traditional poses.
-Take as many photos as you can.
-Get to know your camera when there is no "pressure", in difficult conditions.
-Buy a tripod.
-Don't be afraid to turn the camera for a portrait or landscape formats.
-Look for clutter in your background that doesn't contribute to the photo to avoid the flag pole "sticking out of the head syndrome.
-Take photos of little things that you stop and admire on an "everyday" basis : Try the Macro Mode.
-If there is something you don't like, fix it BEFORE it becomes a real picture.
-Do not cut people off at their chin.
-Learn the Rule of Thirds.
Exposure
-Learn about apperture and exposure.
-To avoid "camera shakes" take a deep breath right before you snap.
-Anchor yourself against a wall, door jam, rock, the ground to get yourself as sturdy as possible.
-Go manual.
-Take the same picture at different exposures. You know you've done it right when you take a correct exposure, overexposed, and underexposed picture.
Light
-Use natural light whenever possible.
-Use your fill flash outside.
-When shooting outside put the subject in shade, sun in back, and open sky in front for fill.
-Keep the subject several feet away from the backdrop to avoid shadows.
-Try taking photos in the MORNING or the LATE afternoon.
-Get an external flash to bounce the light off the ceiling or walls.
-Watch out for shadows that fall on the face!
-Get a piece of foamcore to use as a reflector
Film Camera
-Always have more film on hand than you'll need.
-Keep extra batteries in your camera case for the camera AND the flash.
-Keep your film in the fridge when storing.
-Keep a journal, especially when trying out some of the features on you SLR.
Digital Camera
-Do NOT use digital Zoom
-Buy an extra memory card.
-Keep extra batteries in your camera case.
-Use the "burst" mode when taking photos of kids or animals to avoid shutter lag.
-Select the right White Balance setting Manually.
-Don't use special effects from the camera (B&W, Sepia), do it on the computer.
Printing
-Find a place you like with employees that are knowledgeable and willing to work with you.
-Compare: Have your pictures printed at 2 different places and compare the quality. Do they check color balance? Do they adjust the brightness for you?
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 2
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