Photo Tips
Want to learn how to take better photos? I do too!! I really appreciate all the help I have been given from other photographers so I’ll be updating this page with some info and links from time to time that I find or have found helpful. Stay tuned!
Angela
I’ll make a start;
Please buy a digital SLR camera. You can get some great shots using a point and shoot camera, but if you are after any sort of depth of field (DOF= focus on point of interest, background nicely blurred etc) you will need an SLR camera. Buy a cheap one while you are learning. Stick with either Canon or Nikon. It may come with a couple of kit lenses. Just get out there and get practicing.
Buy photography magazines. Have a look at your local library for photography stuff. The internet has an amazing amount of resources.
Upload your work to Flickr . Join a beginner’s group on there. It’s a great way to learn and get feedback on what you do.
If you really are enjoying your hobby and have mastered the basics, get Photoshop. You will use it all the time, once you have decided you like this very addictive hobby. Once again photography magazines and internet tutorials are a great resource.
Look at people’s work. Learn about lighting and composition. Make sure your focus is as sharp as possible on the eyes in a portrait. Learn about the Rule of Thirds . That alone will improve any picture you take, regardless of camera.
Remember it is an art. The more pictures you see the more you get to appreciate what makes an image stand out. As with all art, what appeals to some may not appeal to everyone. Find out what you like and keep trying to improve!
Have a look at some online forums eg I Love Photography . Enjoy the process. Everyone is learning all the time. If you aren’t, you’re not alive.
What’s in my bag?
I mainly use a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 on a Canon 50D SLR
Canon 60mm f2.8 Macro
Canon 580EX Speedlite (rarely used…)
Lots of sunlight
Further info:
Strobist is the website for anyone wanting to learn about off camera lighting techniques, using small external flashes, while not wanting to buy the big studio lights. Currently I am in the foetal stage here, but this is something I would like to learn more about.
Discount Digital Photographics A place to buy goodies. Nice service too!
