Are you just starting out in photography and you feel that the task before you is simply too daunting to begin with? The good news is that every expert is once a newbie. So if they can do it, then you can do it also. And while you are at it, let top 5 photography tips for absolute beginners provide you a stepping stone in tapping into your potentials.
1. Let there be light.
Probably the best reason why God allowed light to continue existing in this modern world is so that you can capture those picture perfect shots. Light is everywhere indeed and the remaining task for you is to employ and control it well because the right tone of brightness just undoubtedly sets the most suitable mood for a picture.
No camera works without light, thus its role is definitely big. A well-lighted object can be photographed poorly; but a bad lighted object can never look good. This is the very first thing to consider in the top 5 photography tips for absolute beginners.
Now let’s talk about the most important part in here – ma`nipulation of light. Aperture, shutter speed, and ISO are the factors for a camera to make use of light most beneficially. Together they formed the exposure triangle.
Aperture is the area of the lens opening. Smaller number means wider opening, and so more light going in. Shutter speed suggests on how long the shutter was left opened. The longer the time it takes, the more abundant light is allowed, however the shortest time is ideal for a better motion sensitivity wherein slower speed results to image blur. Lens with smaller ISO means lesser sensitivity to light. Obviously, a bigger ISO is required in a darker environment. So whether more or lesser light is required is not the issue here, but on how to work on the proper wielding of light as the scenario demands.
2. Time and place make a story.
You already have the ‘what’ of your story which is your photographed scene. This scene is either a found story or a created one. Your purpose as a photographer usually determines if it is found or created. Like news is for a found story and fictional stories are created. The greatest quality a story has is its originality – something not overdone and yet substantial.
Develop that urge to be in the right place at the right time to always find something new. Be creative – this word of advice is the backbone of the top 5 photography tips for absolute beginners.
3. A picture is worth a thousand words.
Composition is about how well you will deliver your message to the viewer, by the use of proper arrangements of elements in your picture. This is a bit big for a topic so we will just discuss some popular principles.
Rule of thirds. Divide the image into 9 shares by intersecting two horizontal and two vertical lines. The rule demands that you should place your most defining element/s of the scene along the imaginary lines or at places where the lines intersect.
Balancing elements as a technique is for off-center subjects. While its own uniqueness makes it interesting, it also provides a handicap – a void and uneasiness feel to the empty part. Solution is to add another element of lesser importance to fill the empty space.
4. Angles
The chosen angle is the artist’s commentary. Where you place yourself in relation to the view to be photographed must be carefully planned because if done properly, your intention for the shot will be clearly known. Through this, your viewers will most likely come up with the same interpretation with what you intend the picture should have. Angles have the power to alter the level of intimacy of a scene so use it wisely.
5. Skill is more important than the gear.
Because a skilled photographer with an inferior camera can beat a newbie with a superior camera, it is very practical to use a cheap camera first for starters. In other words focus more on developing your skill than your tool.
The idea is that you are just starting to learn, and being bombarded by the complex features of an expensive camera is the last thing you really want.
Cameras nowadays generally have longer lifespan. They have features which become obsolete at a longer time. They spare you the nuisance of adopting something new since only a few have actual experience of the new product. This covers the primary reasons why you only need a cheaper camera when starting out.
By being cheap here, the used or second hand cameras of older models are best examples. The average recommended price for a new model basic camera for a budding photographer plays at around 500 USD, David reviews some top rated camera that you can check out (https://cameraseals.com/10-best-cameras-under-500-2017/). Fair enough, but if bought used especially on its older version, it is priced around 200 – 300 USD.
The top 5 photography tips for absolute beginners are merely suggestions and only actual application is the surest way for you to become a professional photographer.
