Photography 101

Don't Shoot! ..Until You Read This Photography 101 Article

Whether taking photos is your lifelong passion or just a fun hobby, you probably want to know how to take them more effectively. Well composed, skillfully-taken photos of your family wedding or child's birthday will make the memories that much more vivid and make your photo collection even more special for you and future generations. The following tips are designed to help anyone improve their basic photography skills. Whether you're an advanced amateur or just starting out with a camera, these rules will help you take more effective photos for more pleasing results.

Exposure and lighting
If you're using a simple point and shoot camera, you shouldn't have to worry about exposure and lighting, since the camera will set everything for you. But if you have a more advanced SLR camera (or if you set your digital camera to Manual mode) you'll have to know the basics about capturing light. In dark conditions, you'll need a wide aperture and slow shutter speed in order to allow enough light into the frame to illuminate it properly without overexposing the subjects. If you're unsure how to operate the controls of a camera, your best bet is to buy a book on photography and do some experimenting with a throwaway roll of film. Practicing beforehand and reading up on techniques will ensure that a good shot at an important event isn't ruined by the wrong camera settings. In the meantime, use a point and shoot camera or the Auto mode on your SLR to ensure that the light and other settings are correct.

One thing you can control, even on a point and shoot camera, is the flash. Turning the flash on or off can make or break a photo. If you're taking portraits, you may want to consider moving the subjects outdoors into sunshine rather than shooting indoors with the flash. Many people dislike the way a flash looks on skin tones, and a naturally lit portrait is usually more effective.

Composition
Composing an effective photograph doesn't take years of art school or tons of professional training. It just takes a little common sense. Here are a few rules of thumb:

• When taking pictures of people, focus on the eyes. If you have a choice between a full-body shot and a close-up of the face, the shot of the face is always going to be better. Nobody much cares what shoes someone was wearing, but the expression in their eyes can make a portrait truly special.
• Consider the focal point. If you're taking pictures of people, the focal point is obvious; however, some landscape shots can be a little trickier. Your focal point doesn't have to be something earth-shattering; it can be something as simple as a tree branch leaning across the frame, or a distant mountain. But remember that even a photo of a city skyline or a lake shore can be boring if there are no main objects in the photo which draw the eye.
• Try various points of view for the most effective shot. Photography is never an exact science, and composing the perfect photograph takes some experimentation. Sometimes you'll have to shoot off the cuff, and you won't have time to check out different angles. But if you do have a minute, try circling the object you intend to photograph and looking at it from all sides. A photo of a child behind a birthday cake might be effective, but it might be even more charming and unique if it is taken from one knee, looking up at the child rather than down. Don't be afraid to try something different.

Watch out for little pitfalls that can ruin a photo. Simple things like sun in someone's eyes, or a head or hand that doesn't make it into the frame, can take an otherwise well-composed photo and make it look amateurish. If you have a moment before it's time to snap, check all areas of the frame through the camera lens and make sure these little details are taken care of. When all else fails, just press the button. As you put these tips into practice, your skills will improve and you'll be able to take more effective photos without having to think about it. Good luck and happy shooting!