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Photography Tips for Beginners

Sheetal Mandora
For an amateur photographer, it's essential to learn as many tricks and techniques as possible. Here's more on some tips that'll make you better at this game.
Anyone who is beginning to learn digital photography, needs to keep an open mind about learning new modes, functions, and settings with their cameras. Photography is an art which can be mastered only with practice, patience and time.
First and foremost, if you're an amateur, don't go for the expensive camera immediately. Get a decent camera and practice on it first, set your hands on that camera before progressing to the new and expensive one. Amateur photographers need practice and that can be done on a less expensive camera.
You will discover and learn about photography and know which camera to upgrade to instead of buying a random overpriced camera.

Use a Tripod

If you have shaky hands, buy a tripod, not necessarily a pricey one. It will ensure that you get good and unshaken pictures. For better stability, use the timer function when on tripod, as it will give you the best results.
If you're learning photography and want to grab every opportunity to click versatile pictures, carry your camera with you at all times. Good opportunities come unexpectedly, because you never know what you may see.
If you know a location where you can go back and click the picture, note it down and take you camera and tripod next time you are there (you can make a list of what to carry such as your tripod, flash, etc.).

Photograph Different Objects and Elements

Notice things around you. Look at objects from different perspectives; you might capture a beauty from your surroundings. It can be anything like flowers, sunrise, sunset, butterflies, street lights, bottle of water, or your cell phone.
When you look at objects from a photographer's point of view, you will never run out of things to capture with your camera; you will see the world from that point of view. You will find inspiration from anything and every picture will come out beautiful.

Understand How the Camera Works

Your regular camera can be more resourceful than you might think. Explore the camera, try using different or all functions. Choose a scene, object, or scenery, and click the same thing with different settings.
You can use Adobe Photoshop or other software available in the market for post processing. You can change colors, edit things in the image using these software to make your picture look more appealing.

Don't Edit Pictures on the Camera

While taking a picture, click and save pictures in the raw format. This format captures the image as it is, without any alterations. It makes it easier to edit them with a lot of Photoshop functions.
In case you are looking for portrait photography, fill the entire frame with the subject you are taking the photo of. Explore your camera and alter the light sensitivity and exposure for the picture you are taking.
Click multiple shots of the same object in different angles and views. Oh and don't forget to charge your batteries every time you are out discovering new possibilities.

Get the Right Focus

Before you take the pictures, hold the camera with steady hands or keep it at a stable place. When taking a picture, see where the camera is focusing. Is it focusing on the subject or some other thing?
If it isn't focused properly, you might end up blurring the subject and focusing on something else when viewing it on a bigger screen. As mentioned earlier, before you take the picture, check the settings for light sensitivity, ISO, shutter speed, white balance, etc. If you are getting a lot of blurry images, try changing the shutter speed.

Use the Macro Mode

If you want to click small, minute images like flies, a leaf, and small figurines, learn how to use macro mode and do not ignore nature's smallest details.
For a DSLR camera, press the button halfway to ensure that the object is in focus and then click the picture.
Here's a crash course - move in closer, be quick, compose with care, take as many pictures as you can while choosing different angles, focus on the subject, keep experimenting, look for light sensitivity, watch the weather and work with it, keep the images as simple as possible, and be creative.