When someone takes a photo, there are a few reasons as to why they took the photo. Most photographers take photos either because they have to (possibly a photographer for a newspaper staff or some sort), they want to capture a memory, or they simply enjoy taking photographs. Whether it is taking photos as a job, hobby, or an artist, all beginners or even advanced photographers have one common goal when taking a picture: To take a great picture. Beginners can learn how to take candid photos by following these simple steps and grow into a more advanced amateur photographer.
Before anyone can pick up a camera and start taking shots, one must know what photography really is. According to Bing’s dictionary, photography is “producing pictures with camera: the art, hobby, or profession of taking photographs, and developing and printing the film or processing the digitized array image.” In my opinion, photography is the process of developing a picture that is most likely seen as an artwork than just a pretty, million mega pixel picture. Because it is an art form, photography does have the same features or elements as art: line, shape, form, space, texture, value and color. Hopefully when beginners or new artists begin to grasp those elements in the artistic or creative side of their minds, they start to have vision of their piece of “art” or in other words, their photograph. Soon that photograph will turn out to be a form of their vision or expression. It is important to see photography as a different art form because it will help a person realize what type of photographer they really are, thus help take pictures that the person envisioned rather than to randomly take pictures and hope for the best. If each shot or capture of a picture was treated as a piece of artwork, then surely anyone can see that the photographer did produce a great picture at their best. Once the new photographer has grasped the true concept of photography, they can go on to the next step or set of tips that enable them to grow into a more advanced photographer than they ever were before.
One of the first things that a new photographer should know is that the type of camera that they have does not matter in the process of taking a great photo, however, understanding how the camera works does. By understanding how the camera works, it allows the photographer to use features and/or control how the picture turns out, which, in turn, will result in a better picture than the photographer anticipated. So it is best to simply go over the camera’s manual and read over the basic features in order to properly operate the camera and practice using the functions and features of the camera.
After understanding what photography truly is and recognizing the functions and at least the basic anatomy of the camera, he or she must gather all of that knowledge and incorporate those into creating a good composition of a photograph. Good composition is all about using the elements, techniques, and tools of photography in order create a good picture. Like the elements of art, photography comprises its own specific elements that helps create unique and individual pictures. These elements include pattern and texture, shape and form, lines, and symmetry (Rowse). One of the elements that many photographers hardly take into consideration is pattern, symmetry, and texture. Even though many might think it is boring and repetitive, shots with these elements create a relaxing visual but can still attract attention if taken at the right angle and lighting. Another combined element is shape and form. Pictures with shape and form are often taken to fully appreciate and draw the attention of the form or shape of certain two dimensional or even three dimensional objects. Last but not least, the most widely used element that can possibly grasp all other photography elements is lines. Composing with lines has three types of lines that can be used: horizontal, vertical, and diagonals. What it means by composing with lines is to simply take a shot that has either of the three types of lines as the shot format. With these lines, it can naturally produce different angles as well as add structure, depth, and dynamic results (Luck).
Another way to capture a good shot is to have different perspective of any scene. In other words, get creative with your capture. The most basics type of angles for a new photographer is to take a shot from a bird’s eye view, bug’s eye view, and eye leveled. Bird’s eye view is when the camera is facing a certain object or scene where the whole landscape is visible. Bug’s eye view is simply taking a close up shot of a small object or scenery and exaggerating the composition. One of the most common is taking a shot from eye-level where the photographer simply takes the shot in a 180 degree angle. Although these common angles have produced some of the most striking images, it is best to alter the camera in different angles to create some exciting and new perspectives because this allows photographers visualize things differently.
Other characteristics that a photographer must take into consideration that are not one the elements of photography are lighting, shadows, brightness, color, and creative exposure. One of the best lighting that anything can offer is the sun because it is natural and taking pictures of nature can really stand out. However, taking pictures at night or any location or scenery with bad lighting can be fixed with the flash installed in the camera. As a result, good lighting can bring out the brightness and quality of the photo. On the other hand, shadows of certain structures, objects, etc. can exaggerate the object and image itself. Of course like any artwork, color does play an important role of the shot such as appreciating the distinctive colors or simple washed out colors. And the last important thing to think about is creative exposure. It is not necessarily a device to think about the idea and technique that all photographers should always keep when taking the picture. Creative exposure incorporates all of the elements and characteristics of photography that will affect the resultant image.
Once the photographer has taken the photo, they have the option edit or enhance it with a computer program called photoshop. Photoshop is an advanced photo editing program that allows photographers to better improve shots. Any of its programs should at least have the basics of editing the exposure (the brightness, highlights, shadows, and contrast), size, sharpness, rotation, cropping, color, and different effects. Some other photoshops can go beyond and be more advanced than just those basics.
Most amateur photographers or beginning photographers think that to capture the perfect shot is to go out and buy the most expensive and best camera in the market. However, that is not the case. Some of the most amazing shots were taken with a simple digital camera. For those who are about start photography as their new hobby or lifetime career, they must start from the first step of understanding what photography truly is, knows how their camera works and its functions to the elements of photography and the characteristics of good composition. With a lot of practice and having fun with the camera, any photographer can expect improved and mesmerizing photos every time.
Before anyone can pick up a camera and start taking shots, one must know what photography really is. According to Bing’s dictionary, photography is “producing pictures with camera: the art, hobby, or profession of taking photographs, and developing and printing the film or processing the digitized array image.” In my opinion, photography is the process of developing a picture that is most likely seen as an artwork than just a pretty, million mega pixel picture. Because it is an art form, photography does have the same features or elements as art: line, shape, form, space, texture, value and color. Hopefully when beginners or new artists begin to grasp those elements in the artistic or creative side of their minds, they start to have vision of their piece of “art” or in other words, their photograph. Soon that photograph will turn out to be a form of their vision or expression. It is important to see photography as a different art form because it will help a person realize what type of photographer they really are, thus help take pictures that the person envisioned rather than to randomly take pictures and hope for the best. If each shot or capture of a picture was treated as a piece of artwork, then surely anyone can see that the photographer did produce a great picture at their best. Once the new photographer has grasped the true concept of photography, they can go on to the next step or set of tips that enable them to grow into a more advanced photographer than they ever were before.
One of the first things that a new photographer should know is that the type of camera that they have does not matter in the process of taking a great photo, however, understanding how the camera works does. By understanding how the camera works, it allows the photographer to use features and/or control how the picture turns out, which, in turn, will result in a better picture than the photographer anticipated. So it is best to simply go over the camera’s manual and read over the basic features in order to properly operate the camera and practice using the functions and features of the camera.
After understanding what photography truly is and recognizing the functions and at least the basic anatomy of the camera, he or she must gather all of that knowledge and incorporate those into creating a good composition of a photograph. Good composition is all about using the elements, techniques, and tools of photography in order create a good picture. Like the elements of art, photography comprises its own specific elements that helps create unique and individual pictures. These elements include pattern and texture, shape and form, lines, and symmetry (Rowse). One of the elements that many photographers hardly take into consideration is pattern, symmetry, and texture. Even though many might think it is boring and repetitive, shots with these elements create a relaxing visual but can still attract attention if taken at the right angle and lighting. Another combined element is shape and form. Pictures with shape and form are often taken to fully appreciate and draw the attention of the form or shape of certain two dimensional or even three dimensional objects. Last but not least, the most widely used element that can possibly grasp all other photography elements is lines. Composing with lines has three types of lines that can be used: horizontal, vertical, and diagonals. What it means by composing with lines is to simply take a shot that has either of the three types of lines as the shot format. With these lines, it can naturally produce different angles as well as add structure, depth, and dynamic results (Luck).
Another way to capture a good shot is to have different perspective of any scene. In other words, get creative with your capture. The most basics type of angles for a new photographer is to take a shot from a bird’s eye view, bug’s eye view, and eye leveled. Bird’s eye view is when the camera is facing a certain object or scene where the whole landscape is visible. Bug’s eye view is simply taking a close up shot of a small object or scenery and exaggerating the composition. One of the most common is taking a shot from eye-level where the photographer simply takes the shot in a 180 degree angle. Although these common angles have produced some of the most striking images, it is best to alter the camera in different angles to create some exciting and new perspectives because this allows photographers visualize things differently.
Other characteristics that a photographer must take into consideration that are not one the elements of photography are lighting, shadows, brightness, color, and creative exposure. One of the best lighting that anything can offer is the sun because it is natural and taking pictures of nature can really stand out. However, taking pictures at night or any location or scenery with bad lighting can be fixed with the flash installed in the camera. As a result, good lighting can bring out the brightness and quality of the photo. On the other hand, shadows of certain structures, objects, etc. can exaggerate the object and image itself. Of course like any artwork, color does play an important role of the shot such as appreciating the distinctive colors or simple washed out colors. And the last important thing to think about is creative exposure. It is not necessarily a device to think about the idea and technique that all photographers should always keep when taking the picture. Creative exposure incorporates all of the elements and characteristics of photography that will affect the resultant image.
Once the photographer has taken the photo, they have the option edit or enhance it with a computer program called photoshop. Photoshop is an advanced photo editing program that allows photographers to better improve shots. Any of its programs should at least have the basics of editing the exposure (the brightness, highlights, shadows, and contrast), size, sharpness, rotation, cropping, color, and different effects. Some other photoshops can go beyond and be more advanced than just those basics.
Most amateur photographers or beginning photographers think that to capture the perfect shot is to go out and buy the most expensive and best camera in the market. However, that is not the case. Some of the most amazing shots were taken with a simple digital camera. For those who are about start photography as their new hobby or lifetime career, they must start from the first step of understanding what photography truly is, knows how their camera works and its functions to the elements of photography and the characteristics of good composition. With a lot of practice and having fun with the camera, any photographer can expect improved and mesmerizing photos every time.