I strongly believe that anyone can improve his or her photography. Over the years, I’ve worked with many aspiring photographers, some of whom have become full-time professionals. I have also worked with photographers who are just starting out and want to improve the quality of their photos.
You can improve your photography immediately with a few simple tips.
Here are some of the most common pieces of advice I give to beginners.
1. Closer
They probably got tired of hearing me say, “Get closer,” to the group of photographers we had with us in India on our photo tour.
Robert Capa, the famous war photographer, once said: “If your pictures aren’t great, you’re not close enough.” Zoom lenses allow you to take a picture of someone even if they are across the street. These photos are often not intimate and lack connection to the subject.
Photograph of a person dressed in costume at the Venice Carnival.
It is not a good idea to get too close to wildlife. Nobody is saying that you should approach a crocodile up close. If you’re photographing someone, move closer so that you can engage with them. Close-up photos will show their eyes, expressions and wrinkles better.
Shyness is often the primary reason why beginning photographers hesitate. They ask, “What if I am seen by the person that I’m taking pictures of?”
Think about it. You could be asked not to take a photo. Does that mean you should never approach them?
2. Crop Away!
Cropping can be all that’s needed to transform a photo from an okay one to a fantastic one. When taking pictures, it’s tempting to try and capture the entire scene.
You can get a really good photo by doing this. Sometimes, you’ll need to crop your images to make sure the subject of the picture is the one you want to be the focal point.
You can crop a picture to remove distracting elements so your main subject doesn’t get lost in the composition. You can crop a photo in two different ways. You can do this either when you take the picture or afterwards (in Photoshop or Lightroom).
If you crop your photo when you take it, you won’t reduce the size of the image. If you crop a photo in post-processing too much and then wish to enlarge it for large printing, your photo may be blurred. This is because you have to enlarge the image.
If you have to crop, don’t hesitate to do so.
3. Take Your Time
It’s not just for beginners but also seasoned professionals. Sometimes, we are all guilty. As a photographer, patience is one of your best assets.
You might be surprised to find that the final result is better if you spend a few moments composing the shot in your mind.
There’s no need to rush unless you are in a hurry. Consider the composition of the photo and whether it should be cropped.
Consider the best way to use light. You can use the shutter speed or depth of field to determine what settings you should use. You can use the time you spend photographing someone to establish a rapport and better connect with them.
Next time you’re out taking photos, give it a try. Challenge yourself to wait a minute or so before you take a picture.
4. Take a Look at the Whole Image
You are not the only one who has ever thought to yourself, “How could I have missed that lamppost sticking out behind the head of a person?” At some point, every photographer has missed an obvious thing right in front.
It is linked to the point before (rushing to snap a picture). You can take your time and look at the scene with more care. Even if you’ve already taken the photo, look beyond the main subject and around the edges. This is easier to detect when you can take another picture than when you can retouch it later.
This kid was paid 20 rupees each time to jump for me. The head was not visible until I reviewed the photos. Darlene took the image.
5. Straighten Your Images
This is the only feedback that I have given that I find strange. Anyone looking at a picture can tell whether it is straight or not. Even some of the more experienced amateurs take photos that are not perfectly straight.
When I edit my photos, this is one of the first things I usually correct. Straightening a picture can change the composition or crop. Always check your photos to make sure they are straight. If not, then fix them using the software you prefer.
6. Consider What You Are Trying To Portray
Learn to separate yourself from the obvious scenes in front of your face. This means that you need to think carefully about the subject you’re photographing and the story you wish to tell.
The image below, with the photographer in it, tells a totally different story than the one without. It is the same image, but without the photographer.
By thinking about the scene you want to capture and what you’re trying to convey, you can change how you photograph it. If you choose a slow shutter in a busy city street, it will show the chaos and motion. You can freeze the action to show two people talking.
If you’ve taken note of the third point above, and you are taking your time, consider the scene that is in front of you. What can you do to tell the story that you want to?
7. Take a Photograph of What You Love
A wonderful hobby is photography. It’s a wonderful feeling to capture a beautiful shot. It should be fun. You should certainly experiment with different genres, but ultimately, you want to photograph what you enjoy.
If you like it, you will be more motivated to capture the moment, and this will reflect in your work.
