Tips and Techniques for All Photographers - It's Much More Than Just Point and Click

Most all people guess that beautiful photos are created by notable photographers with great, very costly photography equipment. While that may be true most of the time, it is not true all of the time. Attractive photos can be turned out by practically anyone with a camera, pricey or economical, with a bit of forethought.

Below are some tips to think about when shooting:

1. Get in Close - Once you have chosen a subject, before you hit the shutter, move in closer. Eliminate the background distractions. Exe: if you are looking at a laying dog, for instance, have the subject fill the viewfinder. Eliminate anything distracting behind it or next to it. Crop in until the animal fills your view from side to side.

2. Be Quick - This usually takes practice, but learn to act fast, your subject may get tired of waiting for you to take the picture and leave. This often happens in nature photography. Don't get stuck fiddling with the camera settings. Shoot fast take many pictures of the subject before the moment is gone. We are in the digital age, the cost of film is no linger an issue.

3. Composition is Important - A shot composed well is much more pleasing to the eye, so be patient when composing the scene. Keep the horizon of the shot level. Crop out the extra stuff in the viewfinder. Move the subject around the frame. In other words, a tree being in the middle of a scene doesn't equate to it having to be there in the photo. Displace it to the side for a more interesting picture.

4. Be Selective in Subject Matter - Don't waste your time taking pictures of things that you do not find interesting. You may have to take quite a few pictures to discover what type of photography and subjects interests you. When you finally find your niche in photography, your excitement will reflect in your photos. It is possible to use the same subject at different aspects for years if you are passionate about it. You will never run out of sunsets or cars, or people or landscapes, if that is what you are passionate about. Again, shoot your passion and it will reflect in your pictures.

5. Show a Clear Subject - Pay attention to your subject matter. Learn to blot out or to blur the background. This makes it easier to clearly define what the subject is. Don't stick to one angle or camera setting, experiment with manual settings in different light. You may find that the subject looks more interesting in the center or to the side. Experiment with all of this until you are satisfied with the results.

6. Playing Around with Shutter Speed - An interesting way to control the outcome of a photo, that is not often told to beginning photographers, is using the manual setting to control how long the shutter is open. This feature allows the photographer to stop time or show motion from a time lapse. This is what allows for a freeze frame shot. Using a slow shutter speed and a tripod can capture a time lapse event. My favorite is freezing time at a sporting event and capturing what spectators often do not notice. Play around and experiment with the aperture function.

7. Pay Attention to the Light - Now don't go looking at the sun, but do look at how the light is playing around your subject. Are clouds carpeting the sky or is it sunny? Is lack of shadows causing your subject to look flat? Is the sun making your subject squint? Where is the sun in relation to your subject? Indirect light will help soften the focus while strong direct light may make the colors look more bold.

8. Be Observant of Weather Conditions - The sky can affect how your pictures come out. A cloudy sky can dull your picture tones and wash out your background and sky. Often black and white photography works better on a cloudy day. It is much better and easier to experiment with outdoor photography on a clear day. With that said, a polarized filter is needed on sunny days to help take out harsh glare and reflections. A polarizer helps keep the scene clear and the tones sharp.

9. Learn to Use Camera Functions - When just beginning, it is often better to stick with simple camera settings. Don't just leave the camera in automatic and shoot. Getting frustrated when first learning camera settings is common, but it does get easier with practice. Put your camera in semi automatic to allow for some adjustment and after you get better. Use it in manual set up to allow total freedom over your shot. Don't forget, do not be in a rush; learning how to effectively use a camera takes time.

10. Go for It, Be Bold - Don't spend most of your time agonizing about the camera's settings. If you're not happy with the picture, keep shooting until you are. Do not let fright or worry intimidate you into not getting the picture. When shooting photographs, you do not have to worry about being politically correct.