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August 25, 2011

Tips and Tricks for the Photographer

One sentence tips for new photographers -

First off no blog post would be complete or unacceptable without the addition of a photo.  King Thistle to some can be refereed to as a really scourge but for me they are a photo opportunity.  You never know what will be crawling amoungst their thorny leaves hence -  Ladybug on Thistle

Camera settings are - f/5.6 @ 1/80 ISO 200 

Now for the list of tips and tricked 
  • Fill the frame with your subject
  • Focus Focus
  • Start with a 50mm on film, and learn to walk before you zoom
  • f8 and be there
  • Read The Camera ~ Ansel Adams!
  • Don't trust the LCD screen - learn to read the histogram
  • Practice makes perfect.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment.
  • Carry more than one set of charged batteries
  • Always bring your camera
  • Ask lots of questions
  • Shoot what you love
  • Use light to communicate
  • Capture or provoke emotions
  • Tell a story
  • Master technique
  • Show old things in new ways
  • Be true to your own style and your own voice
  • Always seek to improve your craft
  • Don’t take yourself too seriously
  • Be willing to take criticism from others
  • Eyes should always be tack sharp
  • Don't compare your work to others
  • Its not the Equipment! Its YOU!
  • Have fun!
  • Every time... start with taking the cap off the lens...
  • Always check all your setting before you shoot
  • If you see nothing to photograph, look down or look up, there's something there
  • Shoot everything! Wildlife, Portraits, Landscapes- at night and in the day. Get out of your comfort zones!
  • Big number, little hole...small number, big hole...photographically speaking
  • Learn to see
  • Compose in the viewfinder, instead of cropping later
  • Learn about and study the Masters:
  • Be patient and don't give up
  • Read a book like "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson, then go out and experiment!
  • Keep your camera on you at all times
  • Shoot for the high lights -- develop for the shadows
  • Learn to tell stories with images, go deeper, get closer to your subjects
  • Stop reading the web; get your camera, go shoot, look at your pictures, do better next time
  • Print your photos... Big!
  • YOU are taking pictures, NOT your Camera!
  • Don't shoot in "Auto or Program" modes.
  • Join a photo club.
  • Shoot in RAW format
  • Blink a lot, keeps your eyes in good sharp
  • Control the light don't let the light control you
  • Sunny 16 rule
  • Get away from Photoshopping everything, get it right in the camera first
  • Don't be a chimp-per
  • Get down way down
  • Visit your local authorized camera dealer and become good friends
  • Learn to use a off camera flash, don't depend on natural light
I hope these will help enhance your photo ops. Take one tip each week and work on perfecting it, I know I will.

10 comments:

Ashley Sisk said...

Those are great tips but f/8...really? I keep it at f/4 or lower. I love those wide apertures. And love the photo too!

Unknown said...

f/8 is the got to when you don't know where to go. It also happens to be the sweet spot of most lenses.

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Lovely picture and awesome photography.

Chesney said...

wonderful advice....and what a drop dead gorgeous image!

Sara said...

Would LOVE it if you would link this post up to my photo swap going on right now!! GORGEOUS photos!! http://www.sweetlittlegals.com/2011/08/sweet-little-photo-swap-10.html

Anonymous said...

Great shot and good tips! :-)

Sara said...

Thanks SO much for linking up!! Hope to see you again next week! ;)

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Wonderful capture

Allan said...

Great advice - all of it!

http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/AllanSanedrin

Ria said...

Hey very informative tips. Thanks for sharing.

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