A picture is worth a thousand words. So what is the difference between a great picture and a great photographer? A great photographer is consistent. We have all taken that one perfect photo. Everything fell into place and you managed to capture that picture perfect image, but the trick to consistency is being able to create picture perfect photos time and time again. Here are six things that every photographer needs to know to stay consistent and produce picture perfect photos.
1. Get to Know Your Camera
It is important to understand the settings and features of your camera. Not knowing the technical side of the camera can truly hold you back as a photographer. Learn how to control your aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Every feature in your camera works together. The more you learn about these features, the easier it is to get the results you want. It is also important to learn about camera modes, focusing, and white balance. Always keep in mind that even a great camera cannot produce a great photograph unless it’s in the hands of a passionate photographer.
2. Light
Light is one of the primary ingredients in photography. Without light, we photographers cannot do our work. It is important to understand how to work with light. Lighting can be tricky, as it is always changing. There are all kinds of lighting conditions such as, sunrise, sunset, midday sun, and twilight. One quick tip to gain a better understanding of light is to observe it in your everyday life. Educate yourself and aim to recognize the different types of light. We have a whole post about lighting on our blog here.
3. Perspective
Perspective is the way our eye relates to special separation. Sometimes photographers fall into the habit of shooting from eye level. If you want to stay consistent, and make an impact, change your perspective. Changing your perspective can be done in many different ways. For example, get on ground level. Getting low can give your viewer a unique perspective, rather than their everyday eye level view. Other examples include, shooting upward, wide, far away, or even behind something. Next time before you snap away, take a moment to think about how you want your viewer to perceive your subject.
4. Every Photographer is Different
Each photographer brings their own unique style to their artwork. It is important to use your creativity at each and every photo shoot. By utilizing your creativity, your photography will stand out from the others.
5. Composition
Composition plays a big role in photography. It is the key aspect to a great photo. Composition is the placement of relative objects in a photograph such as, lines, textures, shapes, and reflections. The Rule of Thirds is a great guideline to help you tell a story. The Rule of Thirds suggests that by placing your subject somewhere rather than the center of the photo, you can grab your viewer’s attention.
6. Connect With Your Subject
We cannot forget the most important part of a photograph, the subject. The recipe for a good photo entails much more than just your gear; it starts with the photographer making a connection with the subject. Before your shoot, put the camera down and get to know your subject. Laugh, joke, and have fun. This will create a fun comfortable atmosphere.
As a photographer, you will make mistakes. The key is to learn from your mistakes and better yourself as a photographer. Great photography comes from consistency and photos that tell a story. With each snap of the shutter, you will only get better. So grab your camera, get out there, and produce those award winning shots.
For more great tips on how to have a successful family portrait session, check out these tips from a past post.
Written by Julia Poole (Pacific Dream Photography at the Grand Hyatt Kauai)