A Beginner's Guide to Photography

O THE AMATEUR PROFESSIONAL A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GREAT PHOTOGRAPHY With advancements in digital technology, even amateur photographers are capable of taking world-class photographs like the professionals. All it takes is the right gear, the right moment, and the right technique to capture something unforgettable. Great gear is more readily available than THE CAMERA GEAR ever before: 9. 10. 1. 2. 3. 5. 6. 8. Cameras: Lens: Lighting & Memory: Extras: 1. Canon EOS Rebel T3i - $ 4. Portrait: 7. Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT 9. LowePro Fastpack 100 Camera Backpack Canon EF 50mm F/1.8 I| 2. Nikon D60 - S 8. Sandisk - Ultra 64gb 10. Vanguard Alta Pro 263AT Tripod 5. Landscape: Nikon AF-S DX 10-24mm F3.5/F.45 3. Canon 5D Mk III - $$$ 6. Telephoto: Canon EF 70-200 mm F/2.8 Even if you have the best gear available, a great pic- THE IMAGE ture is impossible to capture without a spectacular image. Here are some tips for crafting the right image: EVOKE EMOTION CAPTURE WHAT MATTERS Does your image make the viewer feel something? Does it cause curiosity, anger, Do not take hundreds of photos of primarily pointless things. Take pictures that are important to you. happiness, or empathy? EXUDE MYSTERY TELL A STORY Having an air of the unknown will keep your audience engaged and interested. Great images convey a sense of narrative. Show that the subject has a background, as well as a future. Exceptional gear and a spectacular image are THE TECHNIQUE still nothing without good technique. Here are some tips: 1. THE RULE OF THIRDS 1. Imagine your image is broken up into 9 equally sized squares by 4 lines, 2 vertical and 2 horizontal. Frame your subject along these lines and intersections, as opposed to keeping them centered in the frame. This creates a more engaging image. FIND THE RIGHT MODE Action Shooting - Shutter Priority: This allows you to change the shutter speed of your camera to capture those quick moments at sports events. Low-light Shooting - Aperture Priority: This allows you to change the size of the exposure hole, allowing extra light to come in to the chamber at dim parties and events. LIGHTING MATTERS Too much or too little light can mess with your exposure compen- sation and white balance. Use a flash to even out the light distribu- tion. A light meter can help you find the perfect camera setting for each situation. (Tip: A flash diffuser, such as a Zeikos Universal Soft Box, will help spread -2..1..0..1..+2 the light from the flash more evenly across the image.) PHOTO EDITING IS NOT FOR THE WEAK Using Adobe Photoshop, iPhoto, or other photo editing software can take your photograph to the next level. The mastery of these applications is a valuable tool for every photographer to have. The world is out there waiting to be captured through the lens of your camera. With the help of this guide, make your photographs the best they can be! SOURCES: http://www.focuscamera.com http://imaging.nikon.com/history/basics/04/06.htm http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2399400,00.asp http://www.goseewrite.com/2013/07/top-photographers-answer-what-makes-a-good-photograph/# http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/11/wired-gift-guide-the-serious-amateur-photographer/#slideid-256331 focus