Any basic tips for taking pictures?

Question

I have a generic digital camera....nothing fancy. I'd like to take nice looking pictures just for fun. I've paged through some books on photography but I was wondering if anyone has some simple advice on what do/not do for decent looking shots without any fancy equipment.

Thanks.

Answer 1

***BASICS***
1 - Make sure you align with a surface or a visual guide like a wall (saves you the trouble of cropping.)

2 - About framing your shots - the best rule is that there are no rules. Rule of thirds is a guide, an example, if you wish.

3 - Carry your camera everywhere - you never know when a once in a lifetime opportunity will come around. A generic is not that big and easily fits in the pocket (usually).

4 - If it's getting darker, or if you are indoors - boost ISO and try to lean against something solid (again, this wall) or even place the camera on a surface. This will make nicer, steadier, blur-less shots.

5 - Don't forget there is a portrait orientation to a picture. You don't have to take pictures in "typical" landscape.

6 - If you go to an event, take an extra pair of batteries, you will need it after reviewing and bragging about those amazing captures.

7 - More IS better. Pros take thousands of shots to pick one. Why can't you? (Obviously, the more you want to take, the larger your memory card has to be)

8 - If you see a shot you'd like to take, stop for a second and think what will happen if you turn things around (i.e. go from the back, shoot from the top, close-up, at an angle). Try it all! (refer to 7 for justification)

9 - When you press the shutter, try to avoid pushing the camera down on the same side (consider time delay even for other peoples shots - this reduces greatly blur and possible dissatisfaction afterwards ) see 4 for steady shots.

Answer 2

You should be able to get reasonable results and have fun with most cameras.

Basic tips - get something nice to photograph (obvious)

Better pictures have a background, middle and foreground.

I somethines find that pics get a little nicer if the main object isn't always dead center.

Personally I don't like over posed photographs of people. You know where they all stand in the middle looking at the camera with cheesy grins. I prefer pics of people doing stuff and being more natural in the location (e.g. I'd pic an angler while fishing, i'd not pose him up)

With a digital camera you can whap off a dozen shots of the same thing, from different angles, different eyelines, and then look though them all see what looks best and del the rest - much better than film for learning that stuff

Answer 3

Tip 1: Don't use a flash, it can do funny things to your image Tip 2: Have Camera ready AT ALL TIMES you never know when a once in a life time...event can happen! Tip 3: Blurry pictures (if done the correct way) can be really good. Tip 4: Still shots (such as a dark stall, brush box etc.) can be really effective to your project, and very Dramatic. Tip 5: Imperfections are perfect. I find this to be the best tip. If you make everything perfect, the pictures look unnatural (especially with horses.) The best Black and White I have taken was of a line of parking meters, all straight except one that was bent. If you have to...make imperfections! Good Luck with your project! -Nov

Answer 4

First off it helps to have inspiration so its really good your referencing the photography books. When you decide to point and click try to come up with a theme or have an idea of the type of images you want to capture. Sometimes it makes shooting a lot easier when you have a goal. Always make sure your camera is in focus, lens is clean (I've messed up a couple good shots in the past from forgetting to clean the lens). If your using natural light definitely shoot with your back towards it so the light can be focused on your subject. And definitely have fun with it. There are so many things, people and places in this world that can be captured in photography so keep your eye open too! :o)

Answer 5

My favorite type of photographs are abnormal ones. I love taking zoomed in photos of simple things that we fail to notice and appreciate each day. That's real beauty. Like, a stone driveway. A flower pedal, with rain falling in the background. Your shoe on a dirty sidewalk. A little girl holding a rusty railing. Everything and anything. Good luck, photography is so much fun.

Answer 6

Remember the rule of thirds. Mentally split your frame up by placing a noughts and crosses grid in it with the lines splitting the viewfinder into three both vertically and horizontally. Main features should appear at the points of intersection.
Makes more sense if you look at some pictures in a magazine and draw the grid on. You will see that this is generally the case.

Answer 7

Make sure your subject is well center, and in good lighting. Natural (sun light) is good to use if you are outdoors.
If you are indooors you are better off using flouroscent light, although it might give your subject a greenish hue. You can play around different lighting areas. But the best advice i can give tis ti have a steady hand and try and stay away from action shots( moving objects). You will do great, happy snapping.

Answer 8

The very best tip is to make sure your subject is in focus. Sounds dumb, yes, but it's the simplest way to make sure your photo is decent.
Instead of centering your subject, abide by the rule of 1/3rds. Either keep your subject in 1/3rd or 2/3rds of the frame.
Take advantage of ambient light. Cloudy days, for example, are the best for soft light (that doesn't cause harsh shadows).

Answer 9

From someone who SUCKS at taking pictures:
1. Make sure it's centered
2. Pay attention to the background.

Answer 10

The most important thing in taking a good picture is lighting and framing. Always make sure that the light source is in front of and not behind your subject. Frame your picture to cut out extraneous details that detract from the subject of the picture.