beginning photography tips

A friend asked me for beginners' photography tips, which made me think we must have such a thread on our forum.

Why wont each drop the 5 most practical tips he would give to a beginner asking this question?

When we're done, I can move this info to the blog too.

1. A good photograph has a clear subject. ~ It's about something or someone. It may even tell a story about that subject. But the subject is clear and unambiguous.

2.A good photograph focuses attention on the subject. ~ In other words, the view's eye is immediately drawn to the subject.

3. A good photograph simplifies. ~ It includes only those elements that draw the eye to the subject, and it excludes or diminishes those elements that mights draw the eye away from the subject

1. Shoot (minimum) one photo per day. It doesn't have to be good or even useable. Just pick up your camera and spend a minute shooting something using a method of composition that you find interesting.

2. Take small steps. Leonardo didn't paint the Mona Lisa the first time he picked up a brush. Learning photographic concepts one step at a time allows you to absorb and explore them thus integrating them into your work with consistency.

3. Pay attention to detail. The less cropping/color correcting you have to do later, the happier you'll be. When shooting landscapes or achitecture, watch lines when framing. When shooting portaits, watch for small things like necklace hasps showing, shirt wrinkles etc.

4. Keep it simple. This is building somewhat on what Sally said. It's always tempting to run out and get the latest toy and easy to fall into the trap of spending a lot of money with no real improvement on your work. Filters and gadgets can be wonderful tools, but they're no substitute for good photography.

5. Never apologize for your photography. This is a tip once given to me from a very skilled and seasoned photographer I used to assist for. The critique is an essential part of learning. When somebody is critical of a photograph, take the opinion for what it's worth. You never need to defend your photographs by explaining your intent, factors out of your control, or any other reason you didn't quite hit the mark. Relax, and let your photography speak for itself.

Great topic! I am just now getting my Tips and Tricks feature back up and running. If anyone is interested, it can be viewed in my journal http://phototrek.446photography.com/categories/Tips% 20and%20Tricks.aspx

I just have one tutorial on the books right now, but will be adding them each month.

Anyone else have any tips before I move it to the blog?

Learn more about your camera - I have had one for a while and not until recently started adjusting the basic settings - It is amazing on the difference of the results - Some good , some bad, but practice and the percentage of good ones improves substancially.

Don't always take pictures from your standing height, vary the angle and height of the shot.

Read books, look at photographic web sites - Some ideas you see, produce fascinating results and opens your artistic mind to a realm of ideas of what is possible.

With Nature - Patience - can produce astounding opportunities.

Hi NCPhotoTrekker! I went to your journal and I think the information is very useful,

luzD80 wrote:

Hi NCPhotoTrekker! I went to your journal and I think the information is very useful,

Thank you very much. I am just getting cranked back up with the tutorials. I will have a new one at the end of each month.

This may sound silly but here I go:Take your camera with you everywhere-even if its too the store. 99% of the time for me, when I don't bring my camera I see an opportunity that just passed. When I do go with out I put my blinders on so I won't see what I've just missed...

Make sure your batteries are charged and you have it set up to shoot in whatever mode you like-on a whim.

Floppy's #1 & #2

Read alot-there's lots of forums that have a wealth of info on any particular subject you want to learn...Find one that you feel comfortable enough to ask a question. Go practice, practice, practice, even of you don't quite understand-you will get it.

amateur two cents worth of contribution,

Anyone else before I move a summery to the blog?
BTW - if you have some good resources please add them and I'll add a link to the them at the end of the post.