Many cameras today come with various auto exposure modes to help combat the issues that can be caused by varying light levels. In a standard camera the default exposure setting is usually referred to as the centre weighted average. This mode averages out the entire area of what you are photographing and tends to focus on subjects in the centre of the photograph.

Some of the other modes available for exposure on a quality camera are spot metering, multi spot metering and centre weighting. All of these settings are intended to assist you in finding the right exposure level for situation at hand. These modes can be used to help balance out skin tones, sunlight, shade or multiple people in a photograph. Be sure to test out each mode so you can begin to understand which one best fits the scene and area that you are photographing and therefore gives the highest quality picture.

Another way to tackle exposure difficulties is to set the exposure on your camera on your own. This option is known as manual exposure. While this option may be better suited for more experienced photographers who really understand the amount of light needed for a particular photograph, it can also be learned through trial and error.

One of the benefits of using a manual exposure mode is that the settings will stay the same even as you change the area or subjects that you are photographing. With automatic modes, the exposure will change even if you only slightly change the area you are photographing.

Learning how to manually set exposure levels can also assist you in balancing out differences in the subjects, such as photographing persons that are wearing both dark and light clothing. A manual setting will stop the settings automatically changing as the camera tries to adjust to the colour differences in the clothing.

Understanding the amount of light that is exposed to the camera is generally related to four items. The most obvious of those is the light that is provided from the background that you are photographing. However, the shutter speed (the length of time the shutter is open), aperture setting (the dimension of the outlet where light is able to come in) and ISO speed (the sensitivity level of the light sensor) also affect it as well. Together, all of these elements determine what type of exposure is best for the image that you are trying to capture. Play around with adjusting all of them and you will soon work out the best combination for the photos you are wanting to take.

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The Original Post is Located Here: Photography Tips: Exposure Explained

Motion:

When you are trying to photograph a subject that is not in motion, it is important that you do not simply focus on that subject and ignore its surroundings. Make sure that you are paying attention to the background as well to ensure that there are not other objects that are moving in the area, like cars in motion or dogs running around, as they may cause blurriness in your photograph.

Similarly, if you are trying to capture a subject that is in motion, be sure to take several photographs from the beginning of the motion through the finish. By capturing the entire motion sequence, you increase your chances of taking a quality photograph.
 
Many photographers become so focused on capturing a particular subject that they mistakenly forget to check what is going on around that subject that might influence the final image. Make sure that’s not you by looking in every area of the photograph and being aware of how the background of your image will appear.

Do not be afraid to get close and zoom in on your subject either. This will limit the amount of distractions in the background of your shot and allow you to focus more on your subject.

Light:

If you have ever tried to take a photo on a cloudy day or outside at night you may have run into the issue of the subject of the photograph not appearing in your image the way that you would like it to. If this has happened to you, you may need to find a way to increase the available lighting for your photograph to ensure that your subject will be seen clearly in your image. Many cameras come with varying exposure and flash options that can be easily adjusted to account for the different times of day and lighting conditions. Have a quick look though your camera manual to see what options are available to you.
 
Having the ability to take a memorable photograph does not necessarily require a specialised skill set or a camera that costs thousands of dollars. By making a few simple adjustments and gaining some knowledge about general photography principles such as those mentioned above, you can quickly increase your capability to take an impressive and high quality photograph to remember your special memories.

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The Original Post is Located Here: Simple Photography Tips

Photography Tip 1. Pay Attention To Your Lighting

Poor lighting will ruin almost every photo. It can cause a grainy appearance and the distortion of colours. Wherever possible, try to take photos in areas of good natural light. For the best photos outdoors, try to stand with the sun behind you. And don’t be afraid to use your flash even outdoors on a bright sunny day. I do this often to eliminate the shadows on the faces of my subjects.

Of course, it is not always possible to take photos in perfect natural light. If indoors in poor lighting, use your flash. Be aware though that this can distort the colours in your photos. To avoid this, you can turn the flash off. Your camera will adjust to the lower lighting levels, but make sure you keep your camera very still (or better yet, use a tripod) as the camera will take longer to take the photo. As a result, any movement may cause your photo to be blurry.

If your camera has a sports or action mode, I highly recommend using it in low light situations when you do not have a tripod as it forces your camera to take the photo much quicker, avoiding a lot of blurriness.

Photography Tip 2. Take Close-Ups Of Your Subjects

For a long time I had a bad habit of trying to fit the whole scene into one photo. My photos of people would often include their whole body, from their feet to the top of their head. Those kinds of photos are great when you are wanting to set the scene, but close-ups capture a more intimate and personal side of your subject.

Photography Tip 3. If Your Camera Has A Macro Function – USE IT!

The macro function is my favourite function and I use it at every opportunity. It’s perfect for taking close-ups of flowers, insects and anything else small. Without it, your camera may have trouble focusing so your image will not be sharp. The macro lens allows your camera to capture a much clearer picture of your intended subject.

Photography Tip 4. Pay Attention To The Small Details

It’s amazing what you see when you really pay attention to your surroundings. Look around you and photograph the small things that create atmosphere. If you are inside it might be a jacket draped over a chair, a pile of books on the table or even a mess of paper on the floor. If you are out in nature it might be a garden of flowers, close-ups of leaves or a footprint in the sand.

Whatever it is, take a photo. You will be able to use it to bring the atmosphere of the event right to your layouts.

Plus, atmosphere photos are great for making backgrounds, photo mats and for cutting out your titles!

Photography Tip 5. MOST Importantly Make Sure YOU Are In The Photos!!!

I cannot stress this one enough! Quite often as the photographer we forget to include ourselves in the photos so when we come to look back at them in years to come it’s almost as if we weren’t there. Don’t make this mistake. Even if you don’t feel comfortable in photos you will regret not being in them when you want to show your kids and your grandkids all the amazing things you have done or even when you  just want to take a trip down memory lane yourself.

What do you think? Did you enjoy these photography tips? Do you have any questions? We’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below.

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The Original Post is Located Here: 5 Photography Tips