Crash Course in Photography: Basic Techniques and Reminders

Photography is considered one of the most difficult forms of art because it requires visual mastery, creativity, and the actual techniques needed to operate and execute the design on the mind of the photographer. For those who are just beginning to learn this as a hobby, it is important to take some time in learning the basics like the rules on composition and the arrangement of the subject on the picture. One of the most important lessons a budding photographer must master is the photographic composition or the way subject matter elements should be arranged on the picture area.

In photography, one needs to have a talent in distinguishing the differences between the scene seen by the eyes and the scenes that the camera lenses see because a photo does not reproduce the same scene viewed by the eyes. So how can photographic composition be learned and developed? The answer this question is to study, observe, and practice. Every time a picture is taken, observe each element on the scene and compare it on the overall composition of the output photo. This way, one can learn how to position and determine the correct centre of interest in a scene.

Some other aspects that need to be mastered in photography are the camera angles, lighting, subject placement, and the use of tone, contrast, and texture. Playing with framing techniques and the proper use of foreground and background perspective should also be learned later on once the basics are already finished. Moreover, even though taking photos require a lot of creative talent, a photographer should always remember that simplicity is always the key to produce successful shots. A photograph with too many elements can look messy and can also be extremely confusing. Thus it is important to choose only one centre of interest that the photo should communicate. Other elements surrounding the centre of interest should compliment and support the message that is trying to be conveyed by the photo.

Another rule in the art of photography is to always use action scenes for human subjects. For example, a swimmer about to dive in the water is more interesting compared to a picture of the swimmer resting on the shore. Also, since human figures command the most attention, it is not wise to include them on photographs with other main objects because they can only confuse the viewers’ perception of which is the main subject.

On subject placement, placing the main subject in the dead centre is also a major mistake most photographers do. This is because the point of interest can make the viewers have the perception that the photo is divided into two equal halves. Instead, placing the subjects on the side with other elements is better because it gives off a sense of balance and does not look entirely awkward. In photography, a picture does not need to have the same set of things on each side because the photo will look too artificial and controlled.

Playing with the things surrounding the centre of interest is good but try to remember not to overdo it.

Author Bio: design studio Manchester web design Manchester

Category: Arts and Crafts
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