Photography Forum

Tricks or Tips?

By beenpimped. Sunday, 13. January 2008, 01:10:28

I am fairly new to photography, and I am really getting into over the past year, my problem is I don't have much of a knack for it yet. I have forced myself to learn the basics about photography and I am now reading up my manual on my camera to familiarize myself with each of its settings. I use ps elements to do touch up work and to apply filters to some of my photos, but I am of the school that thinks that photos should be all but perfect in camera before taking the shot. To this end, I was wondering if any of you photographers out there had tips and/or tricks that would help me (and those like me) to think about the set up before we snap the shot. I am especially into night shots, landscapes, and macros so any tips along these lines would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!

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Comments

infinity-1 # 13. January 2008, 19:03

The best way to start out is to borrow some photo technique books from your local library. That's how I started out, I simply kept reading one book on photography after another until I found they were repeating what I had already learned at which point I stopped reading and concentrated on developing my own style.

It is probably also worth reading some books on art too, since the principles of composition etc are basically the same in both painting and photography. I was drawing long before I started photographing (I was drawing well by age 7 but only took up photography at age 12), it is probably a good discipline to do some sketching since you really have to look at things carefully to draw them properly, and unless you are really paying attention to observing forms, light and shade, perspective etc you won't make great photographs (except by chance).

beenpimped # 13. January 2008, 20:04

thanks infinity, i really appreciate the advice, i hadn't even thought about checking out some books about photography from the library, i was going to buy a couple, but wasn't sure who was worth reading. in regards to drawing, that is a most excellent idea, though my skill level for drawing is still at the level of stick figures, i think i can try some different ideas for at least sketching shapes, and paying attention to lighting. thanks for the great advice, it is much appreciated.