Photography is the art of apprehending light with a camera, usually via a digital sensor or film, to create an image. A person can photograph wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye, including UV, infrared, and radio. In this era capturing images is art so; some points should be kept in mind while clicking a picture.
1. Locking the focus
You can lock the focus in three steps. First, bring the subject in the center then press and hold the shutter button halfway down. Second, reposition your camera in such a way that your subject is far away from the center. Last finish it by pressing the shutter button all the way down to take the picture.
2. Positioning the subject
It is important to put your subject in the right position. If you want to shoot a portrait or a group of people, position them where you want them. Make it sure that there is nothing growing out of their heads and you can also feature your background by doing the same. Guide your subject(s) to move forward or backward and framing your shot with your subject framed hard left or right can work really well. Be confident to move your subject(s) around, it is the best way to learn.
3. Framing
80% of photography is all about framing. Framing is the method of drawing attention to the subject of the image by hindering other parts of the image with something in the scene.For an understanding of framing look at images in magazines, watch movies and see how they are framed. You need to allow headroom, but not too much otherwise the image can look gawky. Don’t crop half a hand or part of their head or any other part. Place the people directly in the center of the frame.
4. Lighting
Light adjustment is really important and helps set mood and atmosphere. Using additional flash units which can be a little advanced set your internal flash to the correct level for lighting environment, it makes a big difference. On the most cameras accessing the flash control is only a few clicks away on the menu. If you have a DSLR, get an external flash and experiment using it off the camera.
For shooting in daylight, use the sun to your advantage for the best pictures. Backlit photography can look fantastic, and is very helpful for giving 3D images and to separate your subject from its background. Just be aware of lens flash entering the lens and decide if you want that effect or not. You can label the flare by using a lens hood or simply using your hand
5. Eye contact with the subject
Direct eye contact can be as appealing in a picture as it is in real life. Hold the camera at the person’s eye level while taking a picture to unleash the power of those magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles. For children, that means bent to their level. And your subject need not always stare at the camera. All by itself that eye level angle will create a peculiar and inviting feeling that twitches you into the picture.
6. Use plain background
A plain background shows off the subject which you are photographing. Look through the camera viewfinder; force yourself to study the area surrounding your subject. Make sure no poles grow from the head of your favorite niece or any other kid and that no cars seem to dangle from the ears of kids.
Background objects often compete with the subject for attention. In most cases, background produces a less-than-desirable effect. If your background is too busy, move your subject in front of a plain wall, the sky, or something equally simple. A background that is simple and modest will help to draw the focus onto your subject and will highlight emotions, features, and expressions of the subject.
7. Use of flash indoor/outdoor
Bright sun can create unappealing deep facial shadows. Eliminate the shadows by using flash to lighten the face. Turn your flash on while taking people pictures on sunny days. You have a choice of fill-flash mode or full-flash mode. Use fill-flash if the subject is within five feet and the full-flash mode is required beyond five feet. For a digital camera, use the picture display panel to review the results.
For indoor portraits, flash can look harsh and unnatural. There are various ways you can take an image indoors without resorting to flash. The first way is to push the ISO up – usually, ISO 800 to 1600 will make a big difference for the shutter speed. Use the broadest aperture possible in this way lighter will reach the sensor and you will get a nice blurred background.
If you are taking a picture of your subject with a waterfall is in the background then the camera will close down the iris to expose for the white waterfall and your subject will be underexposed/ dark.
8. Move close to the subject
For capturing a photo of a subject that is smaller than a car, take a step or two closer before taking the picture and zoom in on your subject. Fill the picture area with the subject you are photographing. The closest focusing distance for most cameras is about three feet or about one step away from your camera, if you get closer than the closest focusing distance of your camera, your pictures will be blurry. If you don’t want a blurred picture, you’ll need to first lock the focus with the subject in the middle and then recompose the picture so the subject is away from the middle.
9. Zooming the lens
Use your zoom lens like a prime lens. Set your zoom lens to about 50mm, which is approximately what our eyes see. Then zoom the camera in and out, keep it fixed and physically move it around. Get close to the subjects and get down on their level. Don’t always shoot by standing up, just because it is the most convenient.
10. Picture quality
Do your best to get a good quality picture. Follow all the dos and don’ts of clicking the good picture. Especially when you want to have a picture turned into a canvas or maybe frame it; you need to take good quality images. For this, the image should have proper proportion and size… for example, an artist wants to make a portrait of some person he will prefer to have the image with proper face cuts.
Photography is a passion and taken as a profession. Everyone wants to click the best images to present in front of everyone. The best photographer is the one who uses his knowledge and skills best. By keeping in mind dos and don’ts in mind a layman or normal person can become a best photographer.
