It is very rare to find a young photographer that doesn’t already know the basics of photography. That is the good news, the bad news is that many other things that might seem interesting to you at the moment, are not a good idea for your photography portfolio. This article explains some of the most important things that you will want to avoid when you are taking photographs.
If you are taking photographs of people, don’t attempt to get high-quality images by cropping and adjusting the white balance. This is a big no and can cause great damage to your image. You will be shooting on a wide-open lens, so you need to avoid using auto settings. Use manual mode, or if you have a high-end digital camera then you could try aperture priority mode.
Don’t make the mistake of shooting in a large format camera with a small sensor. The only way to take large-format images is to use a medium format camera, but if you want to use a large-format camera as a point and shoot, then use a medium format camera. The only option is to use a DSLR.
I have previously said that when photographing people that you should keep the camera close to the subject and focus down. If you do this, your images will be blurry and the subject won’t be very easily identifiable. So keep your camera up to focus the shot on the subject and away from the background.
When taking photographs of people with a digital camera, you need to look at certain points in the life of the person. For example, you can make a series of portraits using photos of your young daughter. However, if you are shooting a portrait of a young father, and you are using a large-format camera with a big lens, then the background will be too dark and this will make the subject hard to see.
So if you are looking for some interesting angles to photograph someone, then the best thing to do is not to use a tripod. Tilt the camera slightly, so that the subject will be in the foreground, and the background will be out of frame.
It is a good idea to remove the flash when photographing people. This is because you can give away too much light and make the subject too shiny. The colors of skin will be altered and it may be difficult to get the subject to look natural.
When you are in a position to get a good subject for your photographs, it is essential that you become familiar with your digital camera before you start taking photographs. This way you can see how the controls work so that you can compose the photograph to suit the subject you are photographing.
It is also a good idea to use a tripod when taking photographs with a digital camera because it means that you will have fewer movements and adjustments that your subjects will have to make during the photograph. If you have a tripod and your subject is mobile then they will have to adjust their hands and arms to keep themselves in the same position, which can add unnecessary strain to the subject.
To capture portraits, the photographer needs to be able to create an environment where the subject feels comfortable with themselves. The best way to achieve this is to create as neutral a backdrop as possible. Remember that portrait photography is about creating a relationship between the subject and the photographer.
Use a light meter and understand the capabilities of your camera. Try to keep your camera in good working order. And finally, use a good lighting kit and stay out of direct sunlight.
