Lighting plays the major role in the photographing process. This is because bad lighting will obscure the photo’s subjects and composition, leaving little to be appreciated. Good lighting, on the other hand, defines the form of your subjects and show them in vivid colors. That’s why the camera should be set to collect the correct amount of light.

Exposure is the amount of light that is collected by the photographic medium, whether it is a film or a digital sensor, while shooting a single photograph. There is no fixed value of a correct amount of light, because it depends on the available lights, the objects, and the photographer’s judgment. However, it is safe to say that there’s an acceptable exposure and an unacceptable exposure. Most exposures that obscure details while not adding any artistic value are considered unacceptable.

Low lighting conditions require high exposures to allow more light into the sensor, brightening up the final photograph. If less exposure is used, the photograph will become darker as a result of the underexposure. As for bright light conditions, low exposure will be enough to gather sufficient amount of light to produce a photo with good lighting. Otherwise, the photograph will be overexposed, having too many bright areas, the bright subjects loosing their details, and the dark subjects looking too bright..

Exposure relies on two factors: shutter speed (exposure time) and aperture. Shutter speed determines how long the sensor will be exposed to light. Slow shutter speed means more exposure, while fast speed will allow less exposure. As for aperture, it determines how wide the lens is opened. Narrow aperture will let less light pass through it than a wide aperture. ISO speeds also affect the degree of exposure. Higher ISO speeds will make the sensor more sensitive to light, reducing exposure, but it will add undesired noise to the photos.

In manual exposure mode, aperture and shutter speed are usually set independently. As for automatic exposure settings, the camera will determine the degree of exposure needed according to the light metering technique used. Exposure compensation is a method of adjusting the exposure by adding fixed exposure values, which is also very useful for camera owners who don’t have manual exposure settings.

Photographs with very dark and very bright spots will not show correct exposure on all their parts using any type of cameras. Usually, photographers take the same photograph at different exposures, and combine them together using software programs.

A good approach to learn more about exposure is to look at the exposure settings of your previous photographs, and compare them Look for the exposure time (shutter speed), the aperture, the ISO speed, and the exposure compensation in the data that is stored in your image files. As a result, you will get a clearer idea on how exposure can impact your photos.

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Boring surroundings may have a very bad effects on your subject, because, most probably, they will not have elements to balance the photographs, leaving a lot of empty spaces. An effective remedy to this is to fill the frame with your subject, so as to get rid of these empty spaces.

Sometimes it is even better to include nothing but your subject. For example, consider this situation in which you are photographing a wild animal at the zoo. With a normal composition, you will probably include the animal, the cage, and maybe some spectators. Getting rid of all the element except for the animal itself, may make the photograph look as if it was taken in the wild. The ambiguity resulted from close-ups lead observers use their imaginations to complete the picture .A close-up on two hands holding each others will strike a certain emotion that may be different from one person to the other, depending on his experience. Here, all you did is that you removed the subjects’ personalities, so as to give a space for the observer to think.

Portraits are usually a strong candidate for closeups. Sure you can take a great portrait with your subject in an interesting environment, but you can also get a very nice one too with just focusing on him. Filling the frame with your subject will produce a very personal look. Getting even closer to just include the face – sometimes with eye contact – can bring a feeling of amicability, as if you were staying face to face with the subject. Close-ups on other body parts produce great photos too; they may create an abstract feel, or emphasize a certain action.

Close-ups also suit still life photographs very well. This allows you to see usual things in very unusual ways, revealing many details that were not obvious before. This kind of photography is usually used in stock and product photography.

A frame can be filled by walking towards your subject, zooming on it, or by cropping a photograph. While zooming is an on-camera process, cropping is usually done using photo-editing software, giving you more flexibility to set your composition, but with sacrificing the image’s original size.

The simplest compositions may sometimes be the richest. So use your imagination, and make your audience use theirs.

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The reason why this rule is very well known is that it is pretty easy to apply. By just putting your subject in the correct position, you will have a photo complying with it.

A photograph is divided into a 3×3 grid similar to that of thee famous Tic-tac-toe game. This is done by putting four lines (two horizontal and two vertical) each at one third of the photograph, hence the name of the rule. Thus, we will have four intersection points, each of which is a hot-spot for framing the subjects . In general, the lines together with the intersection points should be used to align the main subjects of your photos so as to have one that complies with the Rule of Thirds.

In case of closeups, the subject itself will probably be bigger than the whole frame. As a result, interesting features within the subject should be aligned instead. In case of facial portraits, for example, the face usually covers most, if not all, of the viewfinder leaving the facial features to be aligned. Eyes are usually placed along the top horizontal line. This will put emphasis on the eye, frame the whole face, and leave no details out of the picture.

Landscape photographers use this rule too. A lone subject in the foreground (a tree for example) is a perfect candidate to be aligned to one of the vertical lines. As for the background, horizons are usually aligned to one of the horizontal lines. A landscape scene may contain fields, mountain or clouds. These can also be aligned to the lines of thirds and, if possible, separated in different thirds, producing a well composed photograph.

Despite being important to the composition, some flexibility should exist when applying this rule. For instance, if you align everything in perfect compliance with the rule just to discover that an essential part will not be included inside the frame, slightly moving the viewfinder to include all the details will not cause any damages. Another example is when trying to create the mirroring effect using reflections. Here, the mirror line (the line separating the reflection from the real) is usually aligned at the middle.

The Rule of Thirds is an easy to learn, yet very effective technique. By using it, you will be able to produce photos that are very appealing to the eyes.

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Knowing your camera’s features very well will lead you to make better decisions about what settings to use in different situations. Most compact cameras come with a preset of automatic settings used in specific situations. These setting will work well in most cases, but in some, they will not yield the expected results . That’s why manual setting are usually more preferred. The give you the ability to fine tune your photos as you wish.

If printing photographs is desired, the camera should be set to maximum quality and the photographs should be stored at the maximum resolution. This is important to insure that the prints will not look pixelated. Consequently, the size of the images will increase, so it is advisable to make sure you will have enough space in your storage media, while at the same time trying to find a reliable backup solution.

Nearly every compact camera sports an autofocus feature these days. When taking your picture, just press the shutter button half way down and keep holding it that way. According to the available objects in the viewfinder automatic focus will be chosen. That’s why pressing and holding the button should be done while aiming at the subject and then the camera can be moved (while still holding) to get the desired composition. After choosing the desired composition, the button should be completely pressed so as to capture the photo.

One of the main drawbacks of photographing in low light situations is the difficulty to get a decent photo without a tripod. The reason is that the camera will try to compensate for the low light with long exposure. Most compact digital cameras will not produce very clear images in low lighting even when a tripod is used, so it is always advisable to improve the lighting if possible.

In all the features that your camera is capable of, some are not very useful. Most compact cameras produce bad photos at high ISOs (>400) and they should only be used for capturing fast moving objects. Using the built-in flash should be avoided except when there is no other efficient light source. Its strong, non diffused, near the lens frontal light will make sure that your photos look awkward. That’s why external light sources are usually preferred. The only feature that you should never use is digital zooming.

Obviously, one needs to understand some basic photography concepts in order to get the best out of his camera . Fortunately, this can only increase its worth by making it produce better photographs and increase your experience by making you a better photographer.

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Any photograph lacking a focal point will not attract except a few quick glances. This is because naturally the eyes will search for the unique and different things in the composition. It may be any object within your photograph, an object that is interesting enough to stand out from the rest of the composition.

The impact of the focal point on your photo can be further enhanced using many techniques. The first thing to take care of is where to place your focal point. According to the Rule of Thirds, it is better to be placed at one of the four intersection points. A different approach is to let other elements, like leading lines, dictate the focal point. Studying your surroundings is essential to know which is the best approach to use.

Making an object more significant can be done by having a strong contrast between it and patterns around it. The sudden break of a plain background with an interesting object is very attracting to the eyes. A strong colorful contrast can only improve the effect further. Always remember that the brighter and bigger your object is, the more attention it will grab.

Another form of contrast that can be used is that of details. It is a sort of distinction between the out of focus environment and the in focus object. The abrupt change in details will give the object a definitive and clear shape, making it the center of attention. During this process, the depth of field is changed. The shallower the DOF is, the blurrier the out of focus objects will be. If you are photographing in a dynamic surroundings, you can make use of the movements around you to achieve a similar effect without messing with DOF. A still object will stand out in a photograph with many moving objects when utilizing a slow shutter speed.

Although you may contain more than one focal point in your composition, too many will just render your photograph confusing. So next time while composing your photo, let your eyes lead you.  

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Understanding the effect lines can have on a photo will allow you to turn an ordinary composition into something extraordinary. Using them correctly can totally transform the mood of your photo as well as add a more depth to it.

While you may not notice, lines are abundant in our surroundings. Horizons are the most common of all horizontal lines that if placed on the top third will emphasize the landscape, while when place on the bottom third, more emphasis will be on the sky. While adding lines to you composition, you should not forget about the Rule of Thirds, and try keep the horizontal lines perpendicular to the edges of your photo. It is worth noting that horizontal lines usually look better in landscape orientation .

If you look around, you’ll probably notice that vertical lines are even more abundant. Think of buildings, upright trees and light posts, they usually reflect growth and strength and when used correctly, they can provide interesting patterns especially when the photograph contains other elements. To avoid misusing the vertical lines, make sure that they are perpendicular to the top and bottom edges of the photo. These lines look best in portrait orientation.

Diagonal lines are even more usable than the previous two types. They can add depth to a photograph as well as creating points of interest inside your composition and if repeated, they can also produce nice patterns. They can give a sense of speed and movement. It is usually better to have the diagonal lines away from the photo’s diagonals so as to make it more interesting.

The lines’ types and orientations are related to the viewpoint used in the photograph. By utilizing a different angle, a pair of parallel lines can easily become converging lines and lead the eyes into the photograph. This can produce a totally different composition with more depth and more points of interest at the meeting point of the diagonal lines.

While lines may add a certain mood to your photograph, shapes usually provide the meaning. Shapes are the 2D outlines of the objects, and they play a major role in making these objects recognizable. Contrasting an object with a different background is usually the best way to put emphasis on its shape . Thus, the edges of your object will be clear, and consequently, its shape will be very well defined.

Every object has its own distinct shape from specific angles, but some objects may look similar from different points of view. To avoid this, choose an angle that will portray your object in a unique way.

Understanding composition in terms of lines and shapes is one step forward toward more mature artistic expression.

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As an initial step, think about the camera you will buy, how you will use it and what do you want your pictures to look like. When doing so, you will be able to narrow down your search into a specific range of models, so the process will not be difficult anymore.

If you are looking for an ordinary camera to take your photos without caring much about advancing in photography, then a basic camera should be enough. You will be able to find a lot of cheap basic compact digital cameras. It is still possible to find some good set of basic functions in this range such as autofocusing and white balancing. These features were almost unheard of in the same range a few years ago.

If you take your photographic artistic expression more seriously, or if you still want ordinary photos but with better quality, try to look for a camera that will give you better control over the photographing process. More features like better optical zooming, better light sensitivity, image stabilization and some manual controls, will certainly become handy while shooting, and will allow you to take better photographs.

Aspiring photographers with somewhat limited budgets may still be able to produce professional quality photographs using high-end compact cameras . The results may not be as good as those of DSLRs, but these cameras are capable to produce very high quality photographs compared to other compact cameras due to the manual settings they have (aperture, focus, and shutter speeds), the better lenses, and the stronger sensors. They also usually provide the ability to take RAW type photos which allows later precise adjustments.

When buying a digital camera, it is important to understand well the features you really need, not those advertised. Features such as video and audio recording may not be needed by some. In this case, you may choose a compact camera with the same price but with no audio or video features as this will usually mean better photographing capabilities. Another feature that is usually emphasized so as to confuse the buyers is the amount of megapixels that constitute an image produced by the camera. A large number of megapixels is needed for very large prints and it allows more details in the photographs. However, it is not enough to produce high quality prints if the camera has a bad sensor or lacks many features.

There are a lot of online resources that can help you make a decision about which camera to buy. Many websites provide samples of photos taken by many different cameras and compare them. Thus, you may know what to expect from the one you are going to buy.

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One of the most common types of hobbies that many choose is photography. {Some go to college to learn how to make the most of a camera, but you don’t have to do that to take some really great shots.} {To take some really great shots you don’t need to go to college to learn to use a camera, although some people do.} You will lay the foundation for exceptional picture taking talent if you take the time with beginner photography. As with any endeavour and photography is no different you need a good basic knowledge.

When you start photography, you may want to get reference material that explains how a camera works, and what most need to know about light, focus, and distance. Manual cameras allow you to adjust the various settings and these are the ones that will take the best shots in a wide range of conditions. Auto setting works well for many, but for those truly artistic and breath-taking photos, you have to know what all the settings on the manual camera really do.

The next step in photography for beginners is to find a camera. You can find a great camera no matter what your budget however some are very expensive. You do have to be aware that some of the lower end ones may not have the longevity of some of the pricier ones and they may have other limitations. Bells and whistles should worry you less however than the basics for beginner photography. Film or digital, you have to decide , or perhaps both.

You can teach yourself if you do not want to take beginner photography classes. What you need to know about framing a shot properly, F stops and lighting can be found in many great books that you can find. Those are all essential for truly great photos. You may also find online courses for beginner photography that you can go through at your own pace and when you have the time. Photography for beginners as a hobby should be fun, not stressful. That is why learning at your own pace is the best way to go. Before you know it, you will have a fun hobby that gives you the creative outlet that you need.

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One of the most common types of hobbies that many choose is photography. {Some go to college to learn how to make the most of a camera, but you don’t have to do that to take some really great shots.} {To take some really great shots you don’t need to go to college to learn to use a camera, although some people do.} You will lay the foundation for exceptional picture taking talent if you take the time with beginner photography. Learning the basics is the base that everyone needs in any endeavour, and this is no exception.

When you start photography, you may want to get reference material that explains how a camera works, and what most need to know about light, focus, and distance. Manual cameras allow you to adjust the various settings and these are the ones that will take the best shots in a wide range of conditions. You have to know what all the settings on a manual camera really do for those truly artistic and breathtaking photos, although auto works well for many.

For beginners the next step is to find a camera. Some of them are very expensive, however, you can find a great camera no matter what your budget, but you do have to be aware that some of the lower end ones have their limitations, and many not have the longevity of some of the pricier models. For beginner photography, however, you should worry more about the basics than the bells and whistles. Film or digital, you have to decide , or perhaps both.

You can teach yourself if you do not want to take beginner photography classes. What you need to know about framing a shot properly, F stops and lighting can be found in many great books that you can find. For truly great photos those are all essential. Beginner photography course can also be found online that you can go through at your own pace when you have time. As a hobby photography for beginners should be fun not stressful. That is why the best way to go is learning at your own pace. You will have that creative outlet that you need as well as a fun hobby before you know it.

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One of the most treasured American exponents of the art is Ansel Adams. Prints of his photography of the American West and Yosemite National Park has made him famous. He loved this landscape and was a passionate environmentalist. To capture vast scenes of mountains, forests and lakes he used a large format camera. He was made a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1966 and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Jimmy Carter in 1980, which is the highest award that a civilian can receive in the United States. Aspens Northern New Mexico, Oak Tree, Sunset City, California 1932, Mount McKinley and Wonder Lake Denali National Park Alaska and Moon and Half Dome Yosemite National Park 1960 are some of his reproduced works.

Known as the ‘father of modern photo-journalism’ Henri Cartier Bresson was a French man. He was largely responsible for taking photography out of the studio and into the street for candid shots, rather than formal poses. A true artist with the camera he began as a printer. Taking art photography prints of Berlin, Warsaw, Prague, Budapest, and Madrid he travelled extensively in Europe. Japan, China, India and the Soviet Union were also places he visited. Cartier-Bresson helped to form the influential Magnum picture agency for photo-journalism. Ahmedabad, Guejerat, India 1966, Queen Charlotte’s Ball 1959, Sidewalk Café, and the view from Top of Notre Dame are among his prints that are available to buy.

Photo journalist Bill Brandt was a British photographer celebrated for his landscapes, nudes, and his documentation of British life. He photographed the underground bomb shelters for civilians during the Blitz in London in World War II after being commissioned by the government. As in Nude 1952, his nude art photography prints are artfully shot in black and white. Brandt’s work was used by Life magazine, including the print, Rider on Horseback in Hyde Park, a shot from 1940 in London’s famous park, showing a rider on a white horse and a line of trees.

Known mostly for his pictures of celebrities Robert Mapplethorpe is an American photographer. His reputation was sealed when he photographed Patti Smith for the iconic cover of her debut album, Horses. He also took pictures of Andy Warhol, Debbie Harry, Richard Gere and Grace Jones. Many of Mapplethorpe’s other art photography prints are of flowers. They often have a luminous sheen when delicately shot with pale colours. 

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