Treasuring special moments is something that countless people all over the world wish for. And with digital photography making its presence felt in the hands of both amateurs and professionals, capturing the perfect photos is no longer a dream! Here are some smart tips to make your photography experience better, whether you are a newbie in this field or have significant experience.
Remember the rule of thirds
For this, you need to imagine two vertical and two horizontal lines across the picture you wish to capture. You will get a visually appealing photo, if you keep the main subject off-center.
No shaking
No one likes blurred photos. So, to avoid shaking of your camera, hold it with both hands, one hand around the lens and the other around the body. Use a wall or tree for extra support, or make use of a tripod if possible. Your shutter speed should also complement the focal length of the lens.
For sunny outdoor shoots
Keep in mind the Sunny 16 rule to meter your camera properly on a sunny day outside. This will come in very handy if your camera lacks a LCD screen or a functional light meter. Use an aperture of f/16 and shutter speed of 1/100th of a second to get a sharp and crisp image. It shouldn’t be exposed too much or too little. Also, you have software like Sigma Photo Pro to manipulate and touch up your images on computer, if you are using Sigma cameras.
Choosing the right filter
A polarizer filter for your lens is a must, as it helps lessen reflections from glass, water or metal. It will also make the colors of trees and the sky more beautiful and can be ideally used all the time.
To lend depth in photos
Giving your viewers a sense of depth is especially a good idea if you are capturing landscapes. For panoramic views, use a wide-angle lens, and for a sharp foreground and background, use an aperture of f/16. A tripod can help you gain a slower shutter speed and small aperture.
Simple backgrounds are the best
Digital photography gives you the best results when you keep the background simple or in neutral colors. This will help reduce distraction and ensure that viewers focus on the focal point or main subject.
No flash for indoor shoots
Using flash indoors can give you extra bright and strange-looking pictures. Instead you can use a very wide aperture, to make sure that the sensor gets as much light as possible. To avoid blurring, use an image stabilization lens or a tripod.
Pick the right ISO
Your camera’s sensitivity to light as well as the grain of your picture is determined by ISO. In dark conditions, the ISO has to be high, like 400 to 3200. It will also avoid blurring this way. An ISO of 100 is perfect for sunny days on the other hand.
For subjects in motion
The panning technique can come in very handy to capture movements. Make sure that the shutter speed is lower than what is required otherwise, and use a tripod to avoid shaking. While photographing moving objects, also experiment with faster shutter speeds to freeze the movement.
