By Cameras don’t always shoot the scene perfectly. If only we could take photos with our eyes to help us capture the image the exact way we perceive it! Fortunately, there are different photography techniques you can use to elevate your work that can help your photos come to life and take them to the next level.
1. Play around with the lighting
Knowing how to utilise natural or artificial lighting during a shoot can create magnificent accents and shadows that will give your images professional, studio-like results. You can achieve these results by angling the object, model or camera towards the light in ways that will flatter your photos.
Play around with your angles and take many shots until you get that perfect image. You can also change your aperture to help enhance lighting visuals.
Capturing an image against the light can help you highlight details and create silhouettes. This can also help you achieve lens flares in your photos which will add depth and enhance the overall image.
2. Take advantage of the atmosphere
Don’t let bad weather keep you from getting an amazing shot! A big blue sky full of fluffy scattered clouds can be pleasing to the eye, yes. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t experiment with different weather conditions.
Images in the rain and stormy conditions can conjure different emotions in your photos. Try to take shots after a storm for a calming effect that can bring serenity to anyone who sees it.
Try to catch a rainbow in your shot or use the colours of your surroundings to bring different moods into your photos.
3. Don’t centre your focal point
Most amateur photographers tend to make sure their object or model is in the centre of the photo. If you want to elevate your photos, try placing the focal point to the side of your image or even in the corner.
For example, if you’re photographing a family, don’t feel like you have to centre them in all of the photos. Instead, try positioning the family members to the side of the frame and leaving negative space on the other side. This can help to create compelling images.
4. Get creative in cropping
Similar to having the focal point being off to the side of the photo, try cropping images where only half the object or model is in view. This can help you focus on a certain part of the object you’re capturing.
Get closer to the object and focus on small parts or sides. You can easily turn these photos into a creative collage that looks 10 times better than capturing the object as a whole.
The best way to do this is by angling your camera to crop the object. Editing the image to crop it will make the edges look too sharp. Using a natural crop with your camera can allow you to create angles and make your image look more natural.
5. Create blur
Blurriness isn’t something you usually want in a clear photo, however, a slight blue can enhance the object or model. You can play with the settings in your camera to give your shot a blurry background, which can add more focus on the object you’re photographing.
Move the camera and change the shutter speed to create blurs until you get the effect you’re happy with. You can have a model move a part of their body to create blurs as well. Don’t be afraid to push the boundaries – you can always take more photos!
6. Create borders
To create borders with your camera, shoot through objects. For example, place your lens close to a fence or other object and capture the image as if someone was looking through the wires or holes. This is a great way to add different perspectives and create imagery for the viewer. It’s also a creative way to tell a story within your images.
Another way of doing this is to shoot through reflective objects, such as windows or water. Angle your camera in a position that creates reflections.
7. Compose creatively
Learning how to use composition in your photos can be complicated, however, it can help you make a big difference in the overall outcome of your images.
Composition is as simple as angling and positioning the camera in a direction that will allow colours to pop and make your photos stand out. There is so much to composition, from choosing the right background to understanding your focal point. It’s so easy to want to take a photo “straight on”, so try to push yourself to not do this! Instead, look at your subject and think about a different way that you could represent them within the frame. Once you understand how to use composition, you’ll be able to get many different photos of the same focal point by shooting through several angles
8. Don’t be afraid
The most important advice for a photographer is to try and capture anything and everything. If you see something worth capturing, take a picture of it. Don’t hesitate or think other people won’t find it appealing. This is what photography is about; capturing images that are beautiful or interesting to the photographer.
If there are people who don’t appreciate your art, there are others who will. Don’t be afraid to try different techniques or take pictures in unusual spots. These shots can turn out to to be your most interesting or favourite pieces.
Try to find the beauty in things that most people find unattractive. Follow your passion and capture what you love. Don’t worry about what you think will please others.
Person using DSLR camera | Photo: Jay Wennington via Unsplash
Don’t stress too much if you feel that you lack creativity in your photos. There are always more things to learn and with time and experience, you’ll be able to feel confident in your work and won’t be afraid to take risks with your photos.
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