3 Top Tips On Photography For Beginners
by
Jia Shin Lee
- April 20, 2021
Whenever a useful photography tip comes my way, I always make it a point to pen it down somewhere. Most of them can be forgettable, however, some tips are incredibly important for any photographer. Ever wonder how Singapore video production companies choreograph their shoots?
Here are the top 3 bite-sized photography tips that are easy to follow, giving you the baseline for shooting aesthetic photographs. If you are learning photography or videography, this article may be well worth your time especially with the ongoing pandemic. Due to Covid-19, more and more people are becoming comfortable with being in front of a camera as they need to conduct their meetings online on apps like Zoom or live stream and market their products so it’s definitely a good idea to pick up some useful photography tips. Just take a look at live streaming in Singapore which has now become an extremely popular marketing tool amongst individuals.
Pre- Shoot Menu
If you’ve previously been in the video production industry, you’ll understand that this is definitely the most imperative stage of the shoot.
1. Time and Location
The location of the shoot places an important emphasis on any shoot because it adds beauty to the picture. Hence, why it is important to select a place with good lighting and landscape. It is the key ingredient for any shoots.
Outdoor shoots can be demanding with the ever-changing weather, affecting the lighting conditions. When searching for your perfect location, be meticulous about the sunlight - Is it in blazing hot sun mode, is the sky fully clouded, or is the sun peeking out from the clouds?
Harsh and direct sunlight causes shadows, drawing unflattering lines on the faces of our subjects and we aim to avoid that by making them less obvious. In other words, we can adjust our settings to make them lighter. Here’s a quick tip, Tiong Bahru is a well known spot for murals with history documented in a series of gorgeous painted scenes. It is a great place to unleash your creativity.
Seng Poh Tea Garden (Image source: Visit Singapore)
If you prefer a night outdoor shoot, find a good background with fairy lightings, or anywhere with a good source of lighting to brighten your subject. Same rules apply for indoor shoots - keep in mind to position your subjects anywhere that allows plenty of lighting.
2. Equipment
The equipment is merely a tool for creativity. That being said, as a photographer develops their unique style and technique, they will likely seek out different types of camera and lenses to enhance their artistry.
While shooting photos on a smartphone can be increasingly convenient, the quality of photos may pale in comparison compared to an actual camera - smartphones are limited by the camera’s size and sensor which affects the amount of light a camera can receive,
Did you know that while the Iphone 12 has a 12 megapixel (MP) camera, the Sony a6500 is a 24MP camera, resulting in better control in cropping photos or for allowing larger photo prints.
However, a good way to dip your toes in the photography industry would be your smartphone! If you’re not looking to invest in a DSLR, another choice would be to buy a smartphone tripod and a simple ring light, most commonly known as an “Influencer Light”. You can easily get it online for a good price. This greatly enhances your shoots, giving you versatility in both camera and lighting angles.
If you do own a DSLR, don’t forget to check that you are using the proper camera settings and lens for the right occasion. For instance, wide-angle lenses are better for snapping scenery shots; macro lenses are good for taking compact shots that place the subject in central focus.
3. Composing the Shot
Last but not least, composing your shot. Composition is what guides the viewer’s eyes through a photograph and places emphasis on the subject in relation to the rest of the image. Two things to take note of - usage of triangles and rules of thirds.
Triangles are basically the skeleton for composition and the rules of thirds helps you to frame your photos to get the perfect shot.
When shooting, use triangles and the rule of thirds to compose your photos. Triangles are a framework for composition that’s used in classical art, and the rule of thirds is an easy and practical rule that helps you to balance a shot composition.
There are three main categories that people normally shoot: food, persons and scenery.
For food photos, steer clear of using your viewfinder - try focusing your images on your camera’s screen, this gives you a better view and eliminates the need for you to squat in uncomfortable positions. Use the screens to help you focus manually as it allows you to magnify the desired area, ensuring the focus is accurate.
When it comes to shooting people and scenery, shoot from a low position to get as much sky as possible as the backdrop. The radiance of the evening sky is also a really good mark.
And there you have it!
Once you are satisfied with your photo taking, start on post editing on your images. Photo editing softwares such as Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop are the main editors, however you can explore mobile apps like VSCO and Snapseed. Or perhaps if you are feeling bold, go ahead and test out the manual edits! If you are looking to animate your work, get inspired by top Singapore animation companies. You’d be amazed at how animation filters bring life to your photos. Happy shooting!
