One of the things I love about being a photographer is that I am always learning. I learn from other photographers, books, the local Canon rep (he’s a wealth of knowledge but don’t tell him I admitted that!), and every once in awhile I still get some great information from a former teacher. Over the last few years I’ve collected a few quick tips. (they work for the mom with a camera who just want to to take pictures of her kids and those of us working in the industry)
- For a better picture: take at least one step closer.
- Learn your camera. Read the manual…this goes for your pro SLRs to you everyday point and shoot.
- Shoot everyday (or as much as you can): Why is Jennifer Wu a better landscape photographer than I am? She has been shooting for 15 years and has hundreds of thousands more shutter clicks than I do.
- Shoot what you know. Shoot what you don’t know. So basically shoot everything.
- (this is for the SLR users) Hoods not filters…. back button focus….. vacuum your camera bags.
- If you are using a wide angle lens and can’t touch your subject…you are not close enough (of course this rule has and will be broken)
- Stop thinking of other photographers as your competition, think of them as colleagues. Ask them questions, answer theirs. People hire you, for your style and your personality….that is something that is uniquly yours. Learn from each other. There is a photographer in town that borrows my wide angle lens when she has a big family to shoot, and I borrow her macro. Make a community.
-Look at photos others have taken, and figure out what you like about it.
- Don’t be afraid to lay on the ground, or bring a step stool. Your shot will be more interesting if you don’t take it from your standing height.
- Never stop learning, and always enjoy taking pictures.
by admin
show hide 5 comments