Do's and Dont's of Photography

So, you’ve just invested in a new camera, but all of those settings and icons can be overwhelming! No need to fret! Know that this hobby can really be rewarding, as long as you’re willing to explore. Listed below are some of the do’s and don’ts to get you started. Read on to find out.

Do’s Of Photography

1. Focus on the Eyes

If you’re familiar with the phrase, “the eyes are the windows into the soul,” then you ought to know that this phrase plays a vital role in photography as well. In order to lock in the viewers’ interest, it’s important to keep them in focus. Why? Failure to do so could cause the final output to look like a mistake.

Additional tip: Filling the flash, together with a diffuser, are some of the great ways to make the eyes brighter.

2. Experimentation Is the Key

When it comes to photography, there’s a plethora of things that you can experiment with. That being said, this is considered to be the biggest tip. You can try playing with the settings, editing, style, accessories, cameras, and the like. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and know that messing up during the process is normal. Who knows, you might even end up with a remarkable piece of art after.

3. Shoot Various Poses

For this, different shots should be included, such as shots of the head and shoulders, full-length, waist-level shots, and so on. The subject could strike a pose where he’s looking over the shoulder, torso, or head at a 45 degree angle to the camera.

If it’s needed, don’t be afraid to take more pictures. Also, one benefit of this approach is the fact that even those who feel conscious in front of the camera, will eventually feel at ease, as he starts to loosen up during shooting. This will make the pose more natural.

Also, as a photographer, you should tell the subject that you’re going to take a lot of photos, and make sure he agrees first.

4. Props Can be Used to Tell Something About the Subject1

When shooting in a studio against a plain background, it’s always ideal to ask the subject to bring something that they find important – this should be included in the image. For instance, an accountant can bring a calculator, or even a tax form!

5. Accessorise

As a photographer, you’re allowed to buy things needed for your camera. For instance, you’re going to need a lens cleaning kit in order to get rid of those pesky dust on the lens. Likewise, you can try a crafty strap if you’re not comfortable with advertising your camera brand.

You can also consider buying a bag that matches your style. Get some filters, new lenses, a flash, and perhaps, a lighting equipment. It’s all up to you on how you’re going to experiment.

6. Share Your Work of Art!

Don’t be afraid to post the photos online and let the whole world see. There’s a lot of photography enthusiasts out there who will be interested in seeing what you do with the use of your DSLR. So, what are you waiting for? Share this with your family and friends, or find a group of local artists who love doing the same thing! Get as much exposure as possible – this way you will learn much faster.

7. Consider Meeting Other Photographers

If you want to learn new tricks and techniques, then you should meet other photographers whenever you can. For this, you can consider joining groups, taking a class hosted by a licensed photographer, or simply attend an Instagram or Facebook Meet-Up. You’re free to ask several questions, and more often than not, dedicated photographers will be more than glad to teach you the skills you need to know!

Don’ts of Photography

1. Don’t Touch the Lens!

Are your photos turning blurry? If so, try taking a look at the lens. If you’ll see a fingerprint or two, then that’s the reason why your photos are turning out blurry!

It’s always ideal to clean the lens before each use, and a lens cleaning kit is a good investment for this. Keep in mind, lenses are very delicate, and the replacement will never be cheap. Thus, always take the precautionary measures, and just treat your camera with care, in order to avoid those worries of replacing it.

2. Never Take a Close Up with Wide-Angle Lens

If you’re a beginner, you should know that it’s never advisable to take a close up photo using wide-angle lenses. For one, the closer you get to the subject, the greater linear distortion there will be, especially if you’re using wide-angle lens.

In simpler terms, noses and/or foreheads will appear to be bigger in size as compared to the rest of the face. Likewise, there’s also the tendency that the head will also become overly large as compared to the body.

This is completely fine if you’re trying to capture a funny face, or a certain effect, but this angle will never be flattering.

3. Never Forget the Essentials

Always be prepared, and know that your shooting conditions will always be unpredictable. Thus, make it a point to bring spare batteries, flash, extra memory cards, filters, etc.

4. Never Touch Your Model!

Obviously, this will definitely creep them out, or something worse. It doesn’t matter if your intention is to just show them how to pose, as a rule of thumb, you’re never allowed to touch your subject. Instead, you can just demonstrate the pose yourself, give instructions, or even point with your hands.

5. Don’t Shoot in Auto

We know, it’s hard to break away from those automatic settings. However, the more you explore, the better photographer you’ll become. Sure, these settings make everything simple and easy, but you should also keep in mind that you’ve already spent a good amount to create great photographs. So, why not learn how to get the most of what you have invested.

6. Don’t be Afraid to Edit

Never be afraid to edit your photographs. Know that you can always click ‘undo,’ and everything will turn back to normal. Also, there are some programs that will even allow you to be as detailed as possible. That means, if you didn’t get the image you wanted, you can always tweak it a little.

7. Stay away from harsh lighting

Last, but definitely not least, pay attention to harsh lightning. This will just result to deep shadows – either blow out details or it’ll just emphasise the unflattering features of your subject.

In Conclusion

There you have it. These are just some of important points that every photographer should remember. By paying attention to these, you’ll be able to produce better photographs that you’re going to be proud of.