Photography is a powerful skill for creators who want to capture and share their vision with the world. But learning the fundamentals of photography can seem daunting and time-consuming. How can you quickly master the basics and start taking better photos? Here are some tips to help you.
The exposure triangle is the relationship between three elements that affect how much light reaches your camera sensor: aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Aperture controls how wide the opening of your lens is, shutter speed controls how long the shutter stays open, and ISO controls how sensitive your sensor is to light. By adjusting these settings, you can create different effects and moods in your photos, such as blurring the background, freezing motion, or creating noise. To quickly master the exposure triangle, you need to understand how each element affects the exposure and the quality of your photos, and practice using different combinations in different situations.
I think a hunger and taste for understanding Light is key. It is a daily learning exercise one has to do. Learning how falls relate to the subject(s) in your frame is key. How one positions the subject in light of the kind of story to be told is an important practice. But firstly, you must understand the tool - the camera and how it controls light. Know how Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO relate to each other. All of this takes reading about it and constantly practicing.
The exposure triangle is arguably the most crucial aspect of photography, and it's essential for anyone aspiring to be a photographer to deeply understand this concept. It represents the foundational step in the journey of photography. In my opinion, grasping the exposure triangle accounts for about 70% of the knowledge a beginner photographer needs. It's the gateway to mastering the art and science of capturing exceptional images
Way too much emphasis is put on the technical aspects of photography. The exposure triange is important stuff, but it's so easy to grasp that it's quite wrong (IMHO) to expend too much time on it. Learning how to compose and light an image will take the average person hundreds of hours of learning, experimenting, examining, analysing and more. The exposure triangle is all well and good, but I would rather see someone get a great shot with the wrong settings than a perfect exposure of garbage.
The rule of thirds is a simple but effective composition technique that helps you create more balanced and interesting photos. It involves dividing your frame into nine equal parts using two horizontal and two vertical lines, and placing your main subject or focal point along one of these lines or at their intersections. This way, you avoid placing your subject in the center of the frame, which can make your photo look static and boring. The rule of thirds also helps you create more negative space, which is the empty area around your subject that adds contrast and depth to your photo.
Understanding the rule of thirds is essential in photography. It's about dividing the frame into nine parts and using the intersecting points for balanced compositions. It's the first step in framing and a key to taking great photos before finding your unique style
Oh how I hate the "RULE" of thirds. Understanding it is useful but to call it a "rule" is just wrong. At best, its a guideline, at worst, it results in formulaic and staid compositions that can lack imagination or anything special. It can be useful as part of a photographer's journey, but the best photographer's know when and how to apply it and when not to.
One of the easiest ways to improve your photography skills is to experiment with different perspectives and angles. Instead of taking photos from your eye level, try moving your camera higher or lower, closer or farther, or tilting it sideways or diagonally. This way, you can create more dynamic and creative photos that show your subject from a different point of view. You can also use different lenses, such as wide-angle, telephoto, or macro, to change the focal length and the distortion of your photos. Experimenting with different perspectives can help you discover new possibilities and styles for your photography.
Be bold, put all your crazy ideas into life. Continue experimenting while editing your photos of the day, in Lightroom or even on the phone, rotating, twisting, re-framing your photographs to create a talking image that has narrative behind it.
Editing your photos is an essential part of photography that can enhance or transform your images. Editing can help you correct the exposure, contrast, color, sharpness, and other aspects of your photos that may not be perfect in the camera. It can also help you create a consistent and distinctive look for your photos that reflects your personal style and vision. There are many tools and apps that you can use to edit your photos, such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Snapseed, or VSCO. To quickly master editing, you need to learn the basic functions and features of these tools, and practice applying them to your photos.
Editing photos is NOT a bad thing. There are some photographers who like to pretend they are "purists" who never edit their images. They like to thing that "straight out of camera" is a badge of excellence. It's not and they are mistaken. Editing is an essential part of photography now and this was never not the case. Printing photographs was always a secondary process that involved a further exposure in a dark room and the nuances of that created the final image which could be dramatically different from the negative. These days, we use software rather than enlargers and chemicals, but there's no less a need to edit now than there ever was and don't let anybody tell you otherwise. I have videos about this on YouTube.
One of the best ways to improve your photography skills is to seek feedback and inspiration from other photographers. Feedback can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, and learn from your mistakes and successes. You can ask for feedback from your friends, family, or online communities, such as forums, blogs, or social media platforms. Inspiration can help you expand your horizons and learn new techniques, trends, and ideas. You can find inspiration from various sources, such as books, magazines, websites, or galleries. Seeking feedback and inspiration can help you grow and evolve as a photographer.
Find examples of photography you love and analyse what you like about them. Style? Story? Idea? Reflect about this and implement in your work.
Growth in photography heavily relies on seeking opinions from professional photographers. It's also crucial to explore and analyze a wide array of photos from the best artists in the field. This exposure not only broadens your perspective but also sharpens your skills
Finally, the most important tip to quickly master photography fundamentals is to have fun and enjoy the process. Photography is a creative and rewarding skill that can bring you joy and satisfaction. Don't let yourself be discouraged by the challenges or the comparisons. Instead, focus on your own goals and progress, and celebrate your achievements. Remember that photography is a lifelong learning journey, and there is always something new to discover and try. Have fun and enjoy the process of capturing and sharing your vision with the world.
Photography is great fun! Explore, experiment, do projects for yourself, projects that speak to you. Tell your story, always!