Beginning Photography Tips

Welcome to wonderfully addictive world of photography. We have a great community. As the title says, these tips are geared toward new photographers. I hope they are able to answer some of your questions.

1. Necessary Equipment - There is no need to spend thousands of dollars when you just begin exploring photography. There is some standard tools that every amateur photographer should have though.

A SLR (single lens reflex) camera is a must in order to go beyond the day to day point and shoot camera. Single lens reflex cameras give a lot more control over the shutter speed and aperture (diaphragm opening in the lens). Together, the shutter and aperture control the exposure of the shot.

The common lenses arethe telephoto lens, standard lens, and wide angle lens. If you are just beginning to use a SLR then the standard lens that probably came with it should be okay for learning the general controls. I recommend eventually getting one of each of these lenses.

I always recommend that new photographers use a tripod. The slightest movement of the camera can cause a blurred picture. A tripod will help keep this from happening.

2. Choose a Subject - A viewer should never have to wonder what the subject is. Make it dominant in the picture. There shouldn't be very many things drawing the viewer’s eyes away from the subject.

3. Composing the Shot - The best composition rule of thumb to use and that gives the best results is the Rule of Thirds. This rule expresses the idea that just the right amount of stress in a shot creates more interest.

This rule of composition is completed by dividing the viewfinder into 9 equal regions with two horizontal and two vertical lines (a tic-tac-toe game). The focal points should be located where the lines intersect.

Vertical lines and horizontal lines seen in the viewfinder (the side of a building or natural horizon) should be located on an appropriate (vertical or horizontal) line in the virtual viewfinder grid (tic tac toe game board).

4. Portraits - Always remember that the scenery is not the subject of the portrait, the person or people are. Get in close for the head and shoulder shots. Use the viewfinder to crop out distracting objects that may be near the subject.

If the background or foreground still has distractions that you cannot crop out with the viewfinder, make the depth of field more narrow to blur it out. A narrow depth of field causes the foreground and background to be blurred while keeping the subject in clear focus.

5. Landscapes - Here the scenery is the subject. Use a deep depth of field to keep as much of the landscape in focus as possible. It is common for photographers to use a wide angle lens to increase perspective (the lens’s field of view).

It is important to use a tripod or other stabilizing device when shooting landscapes. A deep depth of field requires a small opening in the aperture. This usually requires that the shutter be left open for a longer period of time than usual. The smallest movement of the SLR with an open shutter will cause blur. As discussed above, a stabilizing device greatly diminishes the chances of this happening.

6. Photographing Wildlife - Practice at the local zoo. You should be able to get some great shots of exotic creatures without having to worry about becoming prey.

For the larger predators, ask the zoo keeper when these animals will be fed. This is when you will get your best action shots. With that in mind, set your shutter speed to 1/400 or lower.

Keep in mind, the only thing that will end up in the final result is what can be seen in the viewfinder. So make that viewable space look as interesting as possible.

I hope you have enjoyed my beginning photography tips.

Jonnie Blaylock is an amateur photographer that helps anyone who wants to learn the concepts of photography with his beginning photography tips.