Photography for Beginners Guide with Basic Photo Tips
Photos are one of the best ways we capture memories, tell stories, and share life's joy. Whether you're a fresh mom looking to ways to fully capture the best photos possible of your infant growing up, searching for creative Instagram photo ideas, or you're planning a trip to a picturesque location with plenty of photo opportunities – there's numerous reasons to grab photography. But if you're new to DSLRs or not exactly used to your smartphone camera, your camera may feel a little intimidating. In that case, we have you covered with this guide on photography for beginners. We'll help you figure out the camera and photography basics alongside providing a few of our favorite photography tips for beginners.
Camera Basics
Before you dive into taking photos, you'll need to know the way your equipment works. Researching the features and mechanics of your camera – whether that's a point-and-shoot, smartphone, or DSLR – is vital.
For instance, knowing how exactly to turn fully off the automatic flash, change the shutter speed or aperture, or even understanding the zoom function, will make or break your final photos. It's always best to reference your camera's manual when understanding the specifics, but you can also refer to our resource on how best to take good pictures with your smartphone for phone based photography basics.
Camera Features for Beginners
Viewfinder (and grid mode): You should use the viewfinder to simply help strategize the composition of one's photo. Grid mode turns on a helpful planning grid within the screen. Zoom: While it's generally recommended to avoid zooming, as this reduces quality in pictures, it's important to know the limitations and advantages of your camera's zoom. Focus: Most cameras have auto focus, but it's also wise to work out how to change this setting to manual once you get more comfortable with other photography basics. This will help you take more visually interesting photos.
Color Balance: Adjust your color balance settings with respect to the lighting to help make sure your photos don't come out in undesired colors. Aperture: Adjust your aperture settings so you're better able to control the light in your images. Shutter Speed: Too quickly a shutter speed and your images emerge dark, too slow and they'll emerge blurry. Try to find a balance.
Flash: Many photographers attempt to stick to external light sources, you still need to understand the fundamentals behind your camera's flash.
Manual Mode (and additional modes): Modes such as for example sport, portrait, landscape and more help you automatically adjust for the subject of your photo. Taking your settings away from automatic will provide you with more control in your photography.
Light Balance/Exposure: Adjust this depending on what much light you would like in your images before you take them.