Thanks to smartphones, most people now have their own cameras in their pockets. However, the quality of pictures taken by smartphones cannot compare to those of a professional camera. Whether you are an aspiring photographer or you have decided to take up photography as a hobby, there are a few things that you need to know before going out and splurging on some high-end, sophisticated camera. Let us start with the basics.
Before you even decide to pick up a camera, read on below to learn from some of the most common mistakes that shutterbugs fall into.
Failing to Learn About the Basic Camera Settings
Camera settings can be overwhelming, with all the lighting variables and necessary brightness adjustments, you can easily get lost when trying to understand which feature does what. However, you will have a better chance of understanding if you start with the basics and then build your way up to more advanced settings. You can start with the light adjustments and find out how to use ISO to enhance your photos so that you can take better pictures. ISO is an important camera setting that helps you brighten or darken an image during capture. So, if you are taking pictures at night where light is scarce, you will need to adjust your camera settings to a higher ISO and vice versa.
Another important camera setting is Aperture; this will affect the sharpness and depth of your photo. By controlling the diameter of the lens, you can control the amount of light that is allowed through, which, in turn, will determine the sharpness of your photo. Since there is no secret formula for you to memorize, the key is to practice in different setups until you get the hang of it.
Choosing the Wrong Camera
Just because a camera is expensive and is known for being top-of-the-line, does not mean that it is the right one for you. Many avid photographers cannot curb their enthusiasm whenever other fellow photographers rave about a new camera. Do not fall victim to the same mistake and do your proper research before you decide to splurge. Professional cameras can cost you an arm and a leg; it would be a real waste if you do not first learn about the new add-on features and prepare before you go ahead and buy the camera.
If you are passionate about landscape photography, for instance, it does not make sense to spend a fortune on an advanced camera that is specifically designed for capturing portraits. Look for advice from online photography forums and seek guidance from professional photographers and specialized salespeople to help you make the right decision.
Ignoring the Importance of Positioning
The reason why two pictures of the same view with the exact same camera settings can turn out to be completely different is positioning. Some practicing photographers have all their theoretical information down to a T, but when it comes to application, they often fall short. The height at which you hold your camera and arrange certain proportions can take a dull photo to a whole new interesting level. Positioning rules vary from one kind of photography to the next, scenic views, for example, can look plain if taken from an eye-level position, so it might be better to use a low-angle position. Dedicate some time to watching similar pictures taken from different positioning and shooting angles to be able to grasp the importance of this element of professional photography.
Ignoring the Background
Many great photographers miss the mark when it comes to paying attention to the backgrounds of their photos. Even if you are shooting portraits, you still cannot ignore the background just because it is not the main focus of your photo. On the contrary, ignoring the backgrounds on your portraits will steer the attention away from the main subject.
Over Editing
Although editing tools are an amazing way to amplify the aesthetics of your photos, over-editing can ruin a good picture and reduce its quality. Many photographers use the editing tools excessively that they end up messing with the integrity of their photos and end up making them look too manufactured. Of course, it depends on the kind of photos you are after, however, you should be careful with editing. Generally, you want your photos to have a sense of authenticity and reflect your unique photography style.
As a photography enthusiast, you should make it a point to accumulate valuable information about your newfound passion. Take the time to learn the basics and attend different seminars, as this will set the tone to how your photography journey will turn out. The more time you invest in practice, the more it will reflect on the quality of the photos you take. Finally, keep the above mistakes in mind when you embark on your own photography adventures to avoid those common pitfalls.
