Tutorial 1 - Taking a Great picture
What makes a "GREAT" picture?
Take a moment or 2, find magazines, pictures, paintings, anything really and study them.
Look at them closely and ask yourself what is it about the pictures or paintings that stand out in your mind. In my opinion, this is the first step in getting closer to creating a GREAT or even Perfect picture.
Some people do phenomenal jobs at capturing or even spotting a moment that others will absolutely love too. Then there are the other 95% that have to work hard for that ability. There are tips that if practiced - will train you to be able to do the very same.
1. Take tons of pictures! This is essential to capturing a wonderful want to look at forever look! You see, the more pictures you take, the higher your chances are at getting at least 1 that is the One and Only! (These days there really is not an excuse not to take tons of pictures, especially when we are in a digital world. It is not like you are having to develop each and every roll of film. Thus the expense of it is lowered considerably.)
I have found through the years that if I take more and more pictures I start training my own eye to what is appealing to myself and others. This only helps me to take even better pictures down the road. It is not uncommon for me to take 150 + pictures in one day. Today I downloaded 350 + shots that I took from our outing for Easter. Some people will think that is extreme... but trust me, if you are serious about wanting to take GREAT pictures it is a must. (I have to thank my Grandmother for giving me the passion and desire to capture the perfect moments and memories. She always had a camera in hand. Some said she was like paperazi - I like to think that she loved her family so much that she desired to journal the moments around for the generations to come.)
I have found through the years that if I take more and more pictures I start training my own eye to what is appealing to myself and others. This only helps me to take even better pictures down the road. It is not uncommon for me to take 150 + pictures in one day. Today I downloaded 350 + shots that I took from our outing for Easter. Some people will think that is extreme... but trust me, if you are serious about wanting to take GREAT pictures it is a must. (I have to thank my Grandmother for giving me the passion and desire to capture the perfect moments and memories. She always had a camera in hand. Some said she was like paperazi - I like to think that she loved her family so much that she desired to journal the moments around for the generations to come.)
How do you know what to look for?
Well, if you have taken lots and lots of pictures - (Key... do not throw them away until you know what is indeed a bad picture - you will be surprised at what you can do with the ones that you "thought" were no good.) You will definitely have or even be able to use some to become good. You have heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder... well that is true, but there are keys to helping you get the look you want. We have already mentioned one - Figure out what is the look you are aiming for. By doing so then you know what to ask for when asking how to achieve a great picture. So instead of asking "How do I take GREAT pictures?" You can ask... How do I do silhouettes?
or How do I do Catch lights? or How do you make a picture POP!
One last pointer... if you are going to get serious about picture taking and editing don't be afraid to ask people their opinions on a photo... or critiques. Realize that you can ignore what they say or even learn from it (even if you choose not to take the suggestions.)
Well, if you have taken lots and lots of pictures - (Key... do not throw them away until you know what is indeed a bad picture - you will be surprised at what you can do with the ones that you "thought" were no good.) You will definitely have or even be able to use some to become good. You have heard that beauty is in the eye of the beholder... well that is true, but there are keys to helping you get the look you want. We have already mentioned one - Figure out what is the look you are aiming for. By doing so then you know what to ask for when asking how to achieve a great picture. So instead of asking "How do I take GREAT pictures?" You can ask... How do I do silhouettes?
or How do I do Catch lights? or How do you make a picture POP!
One last pointer... if you are going to get serious about picture taking and editing don't be afraid to ask people their opinions on a photo... or critiques. Realize that you can ignore what they say or even learn from it (even if you choose not to take the suggestions.)
9 comments:
Cool! Thanks for the tutorial! You really do know a lot about this! This is more than just a hobby for you, isn't it? :-)
Thanks for the tutorial. I hope I'm getting better at taking pictures. This will definatetly help.So many of our pictures are ruined because we didn't know what we were doing.
Tammy ~ LOL It is just a passion of mine :) If I get a liking to something I try to do it very well. I have so much to learn still - but Thank you.
I am excited you girls asked for tutorials because now I can try to improve myself as well. Can't wait until we talk specifically about photoshop as well! That is where it can get REALLY fun!
Thanks Cindy! I have had my D-50 for about a year but have never learned how to really use it. I to take lots of pictures because like you said it increases your chance of getting that one unforgetable picture! Brad really wants my camera so I may be able to talk Ken in to giving me an upgrade for my birthday!
Shaney ~ If you do upgrade I recommend the D80! I also here that Cannon makes a killer camera too. I love my Nikon so much though!!! ;)
Have you seen how many photos the professionals run through to get their 1 or 2? If you want to look through our home pics you can see that we go crazy. http://www.dropshots.com/CJWilkes
This has been fun. Amber brought her camera this week and we have been having fun with pictures. I just bought a little sony cybershot and wished I could afford a nice one like Amber's. I will have to make mine work though. Thanks for the tips. I will definitely have to start training my eye. Amber did teach me this week that you can make a bad picture good. So that was fun to discover.
Can't wait until photoshop. My nephew was here for Easter and we had fun messing with family blogs...
P.S. Shaney tell Brad he can have my NEW camera and I will take yours...
(Is that a good trade? For me I mean? I am taking it that it would be. LOL)
Bonnie: I will tell Brad but I am not sure he will take you up on it:) It is alwasy worth a try right???
Cindy: do you mostly use the progamed modes or have you figured out all of that other fun stuff like apature and such???
I tried playing with the white light settings and had absolutely no luck?? I need to take a class I think. Ken says I can't have the D-80 unless I am really going to read the manual and learn how to use it. I lost my D-50 manual, but I was going to read it;)
I play with all the settings but have not mastered them all. I have yet to read the manual, but plan on doing so this month. There is sooooooooooooooo much to learn... it can take a long while to learn it all. I will let you know what I learn though, for sure.
My problem is that I learn by doing and not by reading. I have to implement rather than just read, if that makes any sense. LOL
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