The quality of cell phone cameras have improved significantly since they started to become a popular option in 2003. Sometimes cell phone cameras just don't give you the results you're looking for, so you've invested some money on a camera. Now that you have your camera you just don't know where to start or what to do to get that look you're looking for. Here are 3 basic tips to help you achieve that perfect picture.


LEARN YOUR CAMERA.

Absolutely! Before purchasing a camera, it is important to do research and find the one that best fits your needs. Once you have the camera in hand, it is important to take the time to get familiar with it. Don't be afraid to explore the menu and its options - you won't break anything or do any damage. If you've had the camera for a while and you've already programmed some settings that you like, it might be better to be careful when changing them around. The internet is a great resource for learning more about cameras and their settings. You can find many helpful tutorials and videos on YouTube that will help you learn the ins and outs of your camera. Once you get more familiar with the menu and its settings, you will unlock a world of possibilities that will help you take better pictures.

SWITCH TO MANUAL

As tempting as it is to stay in auto mode, DON'T! Putting your camera in manual will allow you to have more flexibility and gives you complete control over exposure settings. There are three elements to exposure to learn:


  • ISO
  • is how sensitive your camera's sensor is to light. The lower the ISO the less sensitive your camera will be to light. ISO can also impact how "noisy" your photograph will look. Noise makes your photographs look grainy or pixelated. Try to keep your ISO as low as possible, especially in darker environments.
  • Aperture
  • is the f-stop, how wide the lens opens to let light in. The lower the number the wider the opening. The wider the opening the greater the depth of field is. Here's a tip: if you're photographing a single subject keep your f-stop as low as possible. If you want most of the photograph in focus, increase your f-stop.
  • Shutter Speed
  • is the amount of time that the camera’s shutter is open, and measures the length of exposure in fractions of a second. The higher the bottom number is, the faster the shutter speed is. The shutter is how quickly the image is captured. A good rule of thumb: the more movement that happens during the picture, the higher the shutter speed needs to be. You want to limit the amount of motion blur in your photographs.

Understanding the three exposure elements is a great way to control the brightness and darkness of your photos. Just like the human eye, the shutter speed functions like the eyelid, allowing you to control how much light enters the camera. The aperture is like the pupil, allowing you to adjust how much light is let in and to help you focus on specific objects in your photos. Lastly, the ISO is like the movement of your eye, adjusting the sensitivity of the camera to light. For example, if you are standing in a sunny place, you can turn your body away from the light or look away from the light to adjust the amount of light entering your eye, which is similar to adjusting the ISO. By understanding how these three elements work together, you can easily control the brightness and darkness of your photos. Using a fast shutter speed is the best way to capture a moment like a child jumping in mid air. It allows you to freeze the action and make sure you don't miss a single detail. Just like you wouldn't want to blink slowly while watching a high action movie, you want to make sure that you don't miss the moment when capturing it with a camera. Try experimenting with different shutter speeds and you'll be surprised at how much it can affect the image you take. Have fun with it and happy shooting!


Which one should you adjust first? Great question! It all depends on the look you're trying to achieve. If you're trying to create a shallow depth of field (blurry background/bokeh), then you'll want to start with your aperture. If you're trying to capture a still shot of movement, then adjust your shutter speed first. Ultimately, all the factors of ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed impact exposure, so experiment with different combinations to get the desired look you want. Good luck!

COMPOSITION

Framing your photograph is an essential part of creating a beautiful picture. It's important to start by getting the basics down, such as making sure your subject is in focus and the exposure is right. Once you get that, you can start to focus on telling a story with your picture and making it visually appealing. Remove any unnecessary elements, look for interesting backgrounds, and consider different angles while taking your picture. To create a visually appealing frame, try to avoid having too much negative space, use lines to your advantage, pay attention to your foreground and background, and experiment with different perspectives.

Taking your photography skills to the next level can easily be achieved. Practice, practice, practice! Taking time to practice these three elements will help you take your photography skills to the next level.


Good luck with your photography journey and I hope you get the perfect shot soon!