Picture Perfect: 10 Essential Steps for Aspiring Photographers
In a world where time rushes relentlessly forward, photography has the extraordinary power to pause fleeting moments, allowing us to savor the beauty of the present and cherish memories that last a lifetime.
By Deepanshi Manchanda
Photography is an art form that allows us to freeze moments in time and immortalize memories. Whether you are using a smartphone, a point-and-shoot camera, or a professional DSLR, photography offers a wonderful way to express your creativity and share your perspective with the world. Through lens, photographers weave stories, paint their emotion and perspective. It’s a medium which allows you to understand the beauty without any words.
1. GET TO KNOW YOUR CAMERA
Before diving into photography, you should familiarize with camera settings and its features. You should watch online tutorials, read user manual and experiment with various setting. The most important key area of camera is exposure triangle which include – shutter speed, ISO(International Standard organization) and aperture.
Shutter speed – Controls the amount of time the shutter is open. A faster shutter speed freezes the action of image and similarly lower shutter speed blurs the action of image
ISO- Sensitivity of light. The higher ISO the quicker the sensor reacts to light
Aperture- It is the size of the hole that allow light in to the camera. Larger the opening of aperture ,the more light enters the camera in a given time.
For beginners this exposure triangle helps in understanding the fundamentals of photography.
2. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECTION
The more you practice, the better you will become. Don’thesitate to take numerous photos to learn how different settings affect the final result. Embrace trial and error, and experiment with different angles and compositions.
3. MASTER COMPOSITON
Rules of composition in photography helps you to create better and balanced photographs. Some rules of composition are Rule of Thirds, Symmetry, GoldenSpiral and Leading Lines. A well composed photograph with ordinary subject can elevate into some extraordinary photograph.
4. UNDERSTANDING LIGHTING
Lighting plays a vital role in photography. Light in photography are what colours are in painting. The Golden Hour (sunrise/sunset) is the best lighting in which you can click photographs. There are artificial lights as well which can be used in photography like flash, LED panel and strobe.
5. EXPLORE DIFFERENT GENRES
There are different genres in photography like wildlife, portrait, product, landscape and fashion are just few genres to experiment with. Now you can explore in these genres and discover what interests you the most.
6. EDITING
Once you have clicked basic shots explore basic editing techniques to enhance these photographs. Some best editing software are Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Snapseed and Adobe Lightroom. Editing can help you to adjust white balance, contrast, exposure, sharpness and crop images to get the desired image.
7. STUDY AND LEARN FROM OTHERS
Since you are a beginner look at the work of other photographers. Study about their techniques, composition and editing styles. Join communities and share your work, ask for feedback and learn from experienced photographers
8. PRACTICE REGULARLY
Don’t be too critical about your work. Remember it’s just the beginning so don’t loose hope. Mistakes are meant to happen so that you can learn from those mistakes and improve your skills. Keep practicing till you will achieve what you want.
9. ALWAYS CARRY YOUR CAMERA
You never know when you can find the opportunity to click amazing photographs. Always carry your smartphone or camera to capture the beauty and not to miss out such amazing pictures.
10. RESPECT ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
While capturing photographs, respect privacy of other people and their culture. Avoid intrusive behaviour or capturing pictures in prohibited areas.
Remember every photograph you capture has its unique perspective and vision. Embrace the learning process, learn more about photography as you capture more photographs, cherish the memories whole you explore and keep experimenting and explore. Photgraphy is a never-ending adventure, a constant invitation to explore the world. Unleash your creative vision as a photographer with time, seize the day, keep clicking and paint the world with your creativity and passion.
