How to take photos correctly with a professional photographer. How to learn to beautifully photograph handmade products with a DSLR camera

Often, beginners in photography have a question: where to start as a novice photographer? For those who are just about to study the art of photography, we have put together good advice, which will help a novice photographer learn the most important things. Have good camera- half the battle, even less. And to be able to use it correctly is a whole science. Let's figure out what a novice photographer needs to know.

If you have seriously decided to take up photography, then we offer several recommendations for a successful start.

• Don't chase newfangled technology. A soap dish and a DSLR are two different things, there is no point in arguing. But don’t try to buy the coolest camera and think that the pictures will be of high quality. In skillful hands, even photographs taken on a point-and-shoot camera will look beautiful and mesmerizing. And, conversely, a good SLR camera in the hands of an inept photographer will not take spectacular pictures. Everything depends not on the pixels and other parameters of the camera, but on the ability to take photographs, see the frame, and set up the camera. For the first time, an ordinary SLR camera will be enough, or a used one. It is important to be careful here and not run into faulty equipment. Don't go shopping in search of a popular and fashionable camera; this can significantly empty your wallet and not lead to the desired effect. Spend this time learning the art of photography.
• Once you have purchased your camera, get to know it. Read the instructions carefully and understand the settings. Photos taken in Auto mode will not have the same effect as photos taken using manual settings. The camera should be your friend. It is important to know the settings inside and out so that you can always be on friendly terms with your friend.

• Start learning from the basics. Take a course where the teacher will give you the necessary knowledge base and point you in the right direction. You can ask knowledgeable person questions that interest you. If you can't take courses, don't worry. Start studying the art of photography on your own by purchasing special literature or using the Internet. Don't be intimidated by the amount of information that seems overwhelming. Stick to the training plan and little by little you will achieve results.
• Practice. Remember how in the song “I always take a video camera with me”? Also in life. Take your camera with you and take pictures. The more you practice, the better. Learn to see the frame, build a composition, change settings and get used to the camera. This doesn’t mean that you should mindlessly photograph everything, but you shouldn’t leave the camera for too long. Let it be in action, and not gather dust on a shelf.

• Try to notice interesting things around you. Even if you don’t have a camera with you, learn to see a good shot, think through the composition and understand how to build the light and what settings to use. The ability to notice interesting things around you will become a habit over time, which will certainly affect the quality of your photos.
• Don't stop learning. Study the photographs of other photographers who admire you, whose work you usually admire. Try to understand what is the secret of their success? What's special about their photographs? Try to take a similar photograph, it will not be copying, just one of the stages of learning. You won’t be able to take exactly the same shot, but you might discover something new for yourself.
• Don't stop taking photographs if you don't like your photos. Try to understand why the shot was unsuccessful, what was wrong? There is work on mistakes in any school or university, this is a normal process. No one can do everything perfectly the first time. We all make mistakes, learn, step on the same rake. The most persistent one reaches the end. Don't be discouraged if your photos aren't as beautiful as you'd like. Do you think famous photographers succeed with everything from the first press of a camera button? You are deeply mistaken. Sometimes you have to take hundreds, or even thousands of frames in order to select the most beautiful 5-6 photos from them that will cause admiration. The profession of a photographer is labor, the ability to see a frame, take it, and process photographs. This is a creative process that requires concentration and diligence. Lazy photographers never succeed. They take mediocre photos and don't learn from their mistakes. Don't want to be counted among them? Then don’t be afraid to make mistakes and move forward, honing your skills.

• No need to worry about your camera. We advise you to start by buying a used camera that you can take with you everywhere, actively use, and not have to keep track of every scratch or crack. This is technology! Yes, she is your assistant photographer, but nothing more. This is not a child who needs constant supervision. Of course, you shouldn’t handle your camera carelessly, but you shouldn’t blow away dust particles either.

Let's look at the camera settings. What should you definitely pay attention to?

Manual shooting modes

M- manual mode;
A/AV- aperture priority, in this case the camera will set the shutter speed;

• Advice:
  In the case when the shutter speed is 1/60 s, it is recommended to use a tripod.

S/TV- shutter priority, the camera will automatically set the aperture value, convenient to use when you need to capture movement in sharpness;
P- program, almost automatic shooting mode, suitable for the first exposure measurement.

Exposition

Exposition- the amount of light entering the camera matrix when the shutter is opened. Too much light - the frame is overexposed, too little - underexposed.

Diaphragm- a device in the lens that regulates the size of the circle by changing the amount of light passing through it. The higher the value, the more closed the aperture is, the less light enters the matrix. If you want to shoot a landscape, then use a closed aperture of f/8, then the entire space of the frame will be in sharpness. For portrait excellent option there will be an open aperture of f/1.4 - 3.5.

With the aperture wide open, shoot in spot focus mode.

Light meter- this is a scale on the camera screen, in the viewfinder. The exposure meter readings depend on its operating mode.

Matrix- measures a significant part of the frame, suitable for most types of shooting.

Spot metering- produced in the central square. Perfect for shooting in difficult lighting conditions, as well as for taking portraits.

Center-weighted- measures the amount of light throughout the frame, focusing on the central area. Necessary when you need to take a photograph of an object in the center of the frame.

White balance

White balance is the process of adjusting the colors of a photo depending on the light sources so that white objects do not take on warm or cool tones. All colors in a photo depend on the white balance setting. If you change lighting conditions, the white balance also needs to be adjusted again.

Take pictures in RAW format, this will allow you to change the white balance in processing programs.

It is impossible to tell everything for a beginning photographer. There is a lot of information, it is constantly updated, new equipment appears, and, accordingly, the possibilities of using the camera. We have shared useful information for beginning photographers. If you feel a great desire to take photographs, don’t put it off until later! Maybe your hobby will turn into your life's work.

Hello, dear readers! With you again, Timur Mustaev. Most likely, you have become the proud owner of a SLR camera and you have a considerable number of questions for which you are too lazy to look for answers in the manual. Right?

Well, I’ll take on the heavy burden of guiding you into the world of high-quality photography and tell you a few secrets.

But still, no matter how lazy you are, be sure to study the manual for your camera in great detail. Believe me, in my experience, you will learn a lot of interesting things from your manual. At the end of the article, I recommend a video course that will clearly help you understand your DSLR!

First of all, let's talk about management; without these basics it will be difficult to understand how to take photographs correctly SLR camera.

Due to the impressive size of the body (the so-called SLR camera without a lens), the camera should be held a little differently than a digital point-and-shoot camera: the right hand should be placed on the handle, and the left hand should support the opposite lower corner.

Camera modes

This position will allow you to change the focal length if necessary and switch the main modes, which are slightly different on different cameras, some have the abbreviations “M; A; S; P” are typical for Nikon, others are “M; Av; TV; P", for Canon.

On initial stage When studying an SLR camera, I strongly do not recommend taking photographs in auto mode, since you will not be able to control the camera in certain shooting conditions, much less learn any lesson from it.

This mode is standard and is often used when there is a need to quickly shoot something without delving into the overall composition of the frame.

Program mode (P)

It’s better to experiment with the “P” program mode, which differs from “Auto” in the ability to customize it yourself.

ISO – indicates the sensitivity of the matrix to light; the higher its value, the brighter the frame. But it is worth remembering that high ISO is accompanied by the appearance of unfavorable noise.

The golden mean of light sensitivity ranges from 100-600 units, but again, it all depends on your camera.

Aperture priority mode (A or Av)

The next mode that has received due attention is “Av” (“A”), the main highlight of which is control over the level of sharpness (DOF). In this mode, you obey, and the rest of the settings are set by the camera itself.

Thanks to him, you can get a beautiful blurred background with the effect, when using lenses with a minimum F index, for example, a lens or, depending on what camera you have.

Also, when shooting landscapes or macro, this mode will be very useful, because to achieve detail the aperture must be closed.

Shutter priority mode (S or TV)

Unlike previous modes, it allows you to control shutter speed manually, setting any possible values. The camera sets other parameters automatically. For most DSLRs, the shutter speed limit is 1/4000 seconds, in advanced and more expensive ones - 1/8000 seconds

For example, the common Canon 600d, Nikon D5200, D3100, D3200 have a value from 30 to 1/4000 s.

The “TV/A” mode is used for capturing dynamics during sporting events, as well as without using a tripod.

– this is the time the shutter opens to allow light to enter the camera matrix. To get sharp shots, you need to use the fastest shutter speed. Long, in turn, is used when it is necessary to capture the movement of an object.

For example, when shooting water flow at a long shutter speed, you can get a beautiful shot with a smooth transition of drops into a stream.

Manual mode (M)

“M” is used by photography professionals, usually in studios or other difficult, cramped conditions. It allows you to control all valid parameters and expands the possibilities for creating creative photography. However, if you hear from someone: “Shoot only in “M” mode,” run away from this person without looking back, he wishes you harm!

1. Firstly, by shooting in M ​​mode you will waste all your free time to adjust, missing the light.
2. Secondly, you will take a thousand shots, of which only one will be successful - Malevich’s black square.

Manual mode opens up a lot of boundaries, but for beginners, this mode is quite difficult. Start with the previous modes and gradually reach M.

Since the other DSLR modes are used extremely rarely, such as macro, portrait, landscape, and so on, by both amateurs and professionals, I will not focus much attention on them and will move on to the next point.

• Always check the charge level before taking photos. Ideally, purchase a spare battery or battery pack.
• Format the memory card by first transferring the photo to your computer. A free flash drive will allow you to avoid data damage and errors, and also save you from the hassle of manually deleting photos if there is not enough space.
• Check your camera settings, namely the resolution of the pictures. If you are planning further retouching, then shoot in RAW+JPG; if not, then limit yourself to one JPG, giving preference to L quality.
• To avoid blurry frames, alternate between shooting handheld and using a tripod.
• Pay attention to the horizon line; it should not have blockages or slopes. Many DSLRs are equipped with an auxiliary grid that helps in this situation; it is conventionally superimposed on the image and is visible on the LCD screen.
• Do not overuse the autofocus mode; you need to be able to use manual as well, since some lenses simply do not have “auto”.
• Take several shots at once, even when shooting static objects, so you don't miss the best one.
• Buy various ones, they make life quite simple and minimize processing time.
• Don't be afraid to change the white balance, stop using automatic already.
• When photographing in winter, be sure to focus on weather, avoid sub-zero temperatures, as the temperature difference will lead to the formation of condensation, both on the camera body and inside. This can cause damage to the electronics and can lead to complete equipment failure. But if Ostap still gets carried away, before bringing the camera into the warmth, roll it with a cloth, or do not take it out of the bag when you come from the street for two hours.

Here, in fact, are all the main subtleties of shooting with SLR equipment. Practice, and I assure you, a good result will follow.

Finally, as promised. Video course " Digital SLR for a beginner 2.0" One of the best courses on the Internet. Understandable practical examples, detailed explanation of the theoretical part. This video The course has gained popularity among novice photographers. I recommend it for studying!

All the best to you, Timur Mustaev.

Many beginners, when they get a camera, imagine that they will soon become a professional photographer. At the same time, there are people who really want to master the art of photography. They realize that this is not easy to do, and are actively interested in how to learn how to photograph people and animals professionally.

Some amateur photographers manage to get into the professional league. To do this, you have to follow the canons observed even by world-famous photographers. Some photographers do not understand the terminology and intricacies of photography, but this does not prevent them from achieving great success. Such people have phenomenal talent.

If you are trying to learn how to take high-quality photographs, my tips will help. In this article I will share the secrets of photography.

• Decide what you want to get and learn how to photograph professionally. Some strive for recognition of skill, others are more interested in making money.
• If you want to practice photography, always carry a tool with you - a high-quality and reliable camera. First of all, study the device’s instructions and master the shooting methods.
• A photograph is an ordinary picture. Famous people those engaged in painting began creative activity from copying still lifes, landscapes and portraits. Therefore, at first, re-shoot popular works.
• Do photography all the time. If you always have your camera with you, take photos at every step. Good practice will bring a reserve of experience. Unsuccessful plots should not be upsetting. After detailed analysis mistakes, strive to improve the result.
• Constantly improve your skills, participate in photo competitions, strive for high awards and honorary pedestals.

You've got your first idea of ​​how to learn to take professional photographs. A good photographer will be the person for whom photography is the main passion and goal of life.

Learn to take professional photographs with a DSLR

Buying a DSLR camera is not difficult. The market offers professional and semi-professional equipment for creating photographs in a wide range of models and prices.

A person who owns a DSLR has every chance of becoming a master of photography. To do this, you should learn how to learn how to take professional photographs with a DSLR, study the capabilities of the device and learn how to use them.

Climbing to the top of glory is possible for those who know how to tie theoretical knowledge with practical exercises.

1. ISO. Correctly set the camera's light sensitivity - ISO. The quality of photography depends on the level of illumination of the objects being photographed. If you are shooting in a dark room or in the evening, set the indicator to 800. For cloudy weather, four hundred units is enough, and in good lighting conditions, two hundred is sometimes a lot. When using a flash, reduce the ISO to its minimum setting.
2. White balance . Another important parameter thanks to which the camera correctly perceives and displays colors. Under the influence of different lighting, natural colors change shade. Incandescent light gives the color of an object a yellowish tint. Reducing the influence of lighting is easy - use the settings to make the colors more natural. Practice shooting in different lighting conditions and adjusting this setting.
3. Diaphragm. A small hole in the lens, closing or opening which controls the flow of light. To achieve the goal, use the capabilities of the element depending on the conditions. The aperture adjusts the sharpness of the image. With a closed aperture, you get clear photos that are equally sharp across the entire surface. When the aperture is open, the focus will stop at a specific location.
4. Excerpt. Affects the image. The parameter determines the clarity of the photo, static or dynamic. If the subject is moving quickly, such as a dog running, the shutter speed is set as fast as possible to freeze the frame. In low light, the shutter speed does not allow high quality photo moving object.
5. Long exposure . The details of the photo are detailed only if you use a long shutter speed. It’s better to shoot this way with a tripod, since the camera picks up even minor movements during the exposure process. Shooting moving subjects at slow shutter speeds makes for interesting images. For example, the result of shooting water with a short shutter speed is well-drawn splashes, and a long shutter speed will make the natural elements smooth and silky.
6. Camera instructions . Before practicing, be sure to read the instructions for your DSLR camera. Each model has certain features and setup tricks.

Video training

You've just learned how to become a professional DSLR photographer. First, take photos by activating the automatic mode. As a result, you won’t have to adjust the aperture or adjust light sensitivity.

Secrets of professional phone photos

Many people are of the opinion that you can only take a high-quality photograph with a good camera. The quality of the camera does not always play a decisive role. Let's take, for example, some great photographer. He will take an excellent photo with any camera, because the secret of photography is not in the technique, but in the subtleties of setting and use.

All mobile phones come with a built-in camera, which many users actively use. Therefore, I will tell you how to learn how to take professional photographs with your phone.

According to the masters of photography, in Lately they are increasingly using the camera mobile phone, which allows you to take beautiful pictures. You too will achieve this result if you follow a few rules.

• High mobility . The main advantage of taking photos with your phone. The photographer can spend time observing and choosing interesting angles. Since the phone has few settings, you will have to learn to sense objects.
• Scaling . All phones have a zoom feature and many users use it. High-quality photographs are obtained very rarely due to digital zoom. If you want to get a high-quality photo, use your feet instead of a function. They will help you get as close to the object as possible.
• Light sensors . The light sensors that come with phones are getting better every year, but they can't compare with a DSLR camera. The disadvantage is compensated by good natural or artificial lighting.
• Composition. Modern mobile phones help photographers with a grid, but you shouldn’t forget about the rule of thirds. By training your skills, learn to feel the boundaries that you will violate beautiful pictures.
• Friendship between phone and DSLR camera . Sometimes a person goes on vacation or travel, and with the help of a mobile phone he finds a wonderful shot for the camera. The phone will help out when it is not possible to use a regular camera.
• Phone care . Many people take care of their cameras, clean the lenses, and monitor the battery charge. The above rules also apply to a phone with a camera. When going on a photo hunt, make sure that the battery is charged and that there are no fingerprints on the protective glass of the camera.

Video tips

Progress does not stand still, but a phone with a camera cannot keep up with a DSLR. However, don't count him out. Just a few years ago, digital point-and-shoot cameras were popular, but phones quickly squeezed them out of the market. If you are filming for a personal album or social network, good phone enough.

How to photograph people correctly

Portrait is a popular genre of photography. People are photographed by both professionals and beginners who have not had time to gain experience. The high popularity of the portrait is easily explained: everyone wants a photographer to capture his image on paper.

While it is easy for an accomplished master to take such a photo, beginners are interested in learning how to professionally photograph people. Once they have acquired the skills, they will be able to photograph wedding anniversaries, birthdays and special occasions.

• Respect. If you master the art of creating beautiful portraits, learn to respect people. At first glance, the words may seem pretentious, but you must admit that a photographer will not take a good photo if he treats his model with disdain. A disdainful attitude towards a person does not allow the photographer to penetrate his soul. As a result, the photographs turn out to be insensitive. The model, feeling this attitude, will behave constrained and will never trust a specialist.
• Observation. Observe the person carefully before taking the photo. So study his characteristic gestures and facial expressions. Observation will help determine the model's response to various events. Based on the information received, you can achieve the desired emotion in just a few words.
• Photo composition . Before pressing the shutter button, make sure that there are no unwanted elements in the lens's field of view. For a good portrait, one thing in the frame is enough. If the model is holding a pipe, you don't have to give her a glass of wine.
• Experiments . The art of photography welcomes bold experiments that involve changing perspectives. There are times when the standard camera position is not suitable. For example, if a person has small eyes, hold the camera a little higher. This will highlight your beauty.
• Angle. If the person posing has certain disadvantages, good photographer will do everything to hide them. Only in this case will the finished work bring true joy to the customer. Otherwise, you will only reward with disappointment. Eg, full man Don’t shoot in profile, otherwise you’ll emphasize your double chin. Conceal the emerging bald spot with a dark background, which will make the head visually darker.

Video tips

How to Photograph Animals

Every person who has had to photograph animals knows that doing so is extremely problematic. The resulting photos don't always capture the fun and beauty of the moment.

During the further conversation, you will learn how to learn how to photograph animals professionally. To master art digital photography may take a long time. But in the future you will take excellent photographs and make wonderful collages.

Master close-ups and adjusting light sensitivity is easy. This is enough to take pictures of motionless and sleeping animals. With moving animals, it is difficult to get a good shot.

1. Accommodation. If you want to take a photo of an animal, try to make it appear a little lower than your view in the photo. Otherwise, you will find yourself in a funny situation. For example, shooting from below will make the animal look huge. Professional photographers often take eye-to-eye shots, which provides a special effect to the work.
2. Eyes. The eyes of an animal are in no way inferior to human eyes in terms of beauty. They must be present in the frame. While shooting, focus on the eyes to catch the moment when the puppy or kitten looks at you.
3. Frame fullness . The most successful shooting is considered to be when animals account for 75% of the frame. There should be no unnecessary elements in the frame. If you are going to photograph a dog, there should be no more than two additional details in the frame - a pillow, a blanket or a corner of the sofa. An additional subject in the frame is required. It indicates the actual size of the animal, and as a result the photo will be harmonious.
4. Background. Pay special attention to the background. Choose a neutral background, without eye-catching colors or sharp outlines.
5. Flash. Do not use a flash, as animals are very afraid of sounds and bright flashes. All animals are endowed with lightning-fast reactions; if frightened by the flash, they will twitch sharply, which will ruin the frame. In natural light, animals look familiar and impressive.
6. Character traits. When photographing an animal, try to capture the features of its unsurpassed character. For example, your favorite cat can be playful and affectionate. With the help of a toy, gesture or sound, you can easily evoke the necessary emotions in the animal. The shot will turn out just wonderful.
7. Animals in motion . When photographing a moving animal, be sure to leave some space in the photo in front of it. As a result, the viewer will get the feeling of a walking animal. Do the same when the animal is looking somewhere. Lack of space in front of the animal will bring an uncomfortable feeling.
8. Lighting. There are no special requirements. It is better to create a portrait in conditions of unidirectional bright light, illuminating one side of the animal. As a result, light and shadow will provide excellent contrast and excellent detail.

Video lessons

You've learned how to become a professional animal photographer. When photographing animals, the paparazzi style is encouraged, when the animal must be caught by surprise before photographing. This way you will get some beautiful and unexpected shots.

Remember, the animal is in natural environment, better demonstrates its nature. By taking such pictures, you can earn money. Perhaps you can build a career as a photographer as a staff member for an animal magazine.

How to photograph objects

It seemed that to take a photograph, you just need to take the camera, look into the lens and press a button. This opinion is shared by beginners who embark on the path of knowledge of photography.

They find it difficult to say why the work of some photographers causes delight, while others smile and bewilderment. It's about the photography technique used and the ability to choose a subject.

Continuing the topic of conversation, let's look at how to learn how to photograph objects professionally. The manual will not make you a professional, but doing nice photos For family album learn.

• Constant practice . If you want to achieve your goal, practice constantly. Carry your favorite camera with you. It is impossible to predict when Once again you might find a good shot. If you don't have a camera, you won't take a photo. Really good stories are very rare.
• Pay attention to different things . If familiar landscapes and boring interiors do not contribute to the birth of new ideas, look at them from a different perspective. For example, the rays of the setting sun will color the flower in different shades.
• Experiment with settings, modes and angles . Don't take photos from one position and height. Bend, squat, and look at surrounding objects upside down more often. True, in the latter case you will need to master a handstand.
• Learn new things and search useful information . Reading books, viewing albums, visiting thematic websites and exhibitions, and communicating with professionals will help. Immediately consolidate the received material by applying new knowledge in practice.
• Learn to accept criticism . It is impossible to become a genius in just a few photography lessons. During practice, you will make mistakes and take rash actions. Treat the criticism that accompanies beginners favorably. By looking for flaws in your work and careful analysis, change the situation.
• Avoid disharmony . When constructing a frame, avoid disharmony between the elements of the photograph. Otherwise, one part of the photo will become thematically and visually overwhelming. Arrange the objects in the photo correctly and harmoniously.
• Follow the golden ratio rule . When shooting, roughly divide the frame into nine equal parts using horizontal and vertical lines. Place the main elements of the frame at the intersection of lines.
• Use geometric figures . When composing your frame, use the geometric shapes that make up your subjects that are visible to the naked eye. Consider the location of the object and the background, which should not contain unnecessary elements.
• Don't forget about vertical format . For shooting tall buildings and vertical objects, use the vertical format. For landscapes, horizontal photography is better.
• Take contrasting shots . The objects you shoot should not blend into the background. It is recommended to shoot dark objects against a light background, and light objects against a dark one.

By applying the acquired knowledge in practice, you will get successful photographs of high-rise buildings, architectural monuments and other objects. The skills will be useful during travel and trips. As a result, you will make a wonderful album that will not allow you to forget the bright and impressive moments of your active life.

Have you ever been intimidated by the thought of photographing other people? Believe it or not, all you have to do is overcome your insecurities and people will become the easiest subjects to photograph. Why is that? Imagine that you are taking landscape photos. Most of us don't live in an area with spectacular views. This means that you need to go somewhere to take a photo. Upon arrival at the place, if the weather and lighting are not suitable, you can simply turn around and go home.

However, when photographing people, you have complete control. All the elements of good photography are in your hands. You are surrounded by potential subjects: friends, relatives, and even passers-by if you have the courage to ask them. Each potential subject is unique. If the lighting is bad, you can fix it by moving to another place or using flash. You can ask the person to wear different clothes or do something unusual. The only limit is your imagination.

That's the key to great photos of people - imagination. Have fun and, if you don't know much about your camera's settings yet, just set it to automatic mode (most cameras have a special mode Portrait), concentrating on getting beautiful photos. Next I will talk about the technical details.

One of the best ways improve your skills - learn from professionals. Here are some tips to get you thinking like a pro and getting into the right frame of mind for stunning portraits.

1. Create a connection with the subject

This is the most important skill! Master it and you're halfway to becoming a professional photographer. Good advice, especially for beginners - to photograph a friend who likes to pose for the camera. Your job as a photographer is to help the person relax and have fun. If you succeed, the result will be great photos.

Take photos of relatives and friends. The connection between you will help you get a great result. Photo: Unsplash.

If you need a model, your boyfriend or girlfriend could be a great option.

2. Choose the right lens

The focal length of the lens is very important. You need to understand the nature of your equipment and know how to use it to your advantage. Good news- if you have digital camera with a kit lens (usually with a focal length of 18-55mm), then this is already an excellent tool for photographing people. Just set it to 55mm and go. Instead of using the zoom, change your position. This will help you learn the characteristics of the focal length you are working with.

If you want the best, Canon and Nikon have made cheap 50mm f/1.8 lenses that are ideal for portraits; A wider aperture will blur the background better.

Even wide-angle lenses can produce great portraits. Photo: Unsplash.

Also, don't ignore the wide-angle end of your kit lens. Documentary photographers and photojournalists love wide-angle lenses because they force them to get closer to the subject. The photographs are intimate due to the close proximity of the photographer. Wide-angle lenses are also good for showing the subject along with their surroundings. This is another style of portrait photography.

Don't come near too much close if you use a wide angle. In this case, facial features will be distorted and the result will be unsatisfactory.

3. Play with different lights

The best lighting for portraits may not be at the time you think it is. Cloudy skies and late afternoon sun are good. Straight sunlight Doesn't fit well - it creates harsh shadows on faces and makes people squint. Backlighting is a delightful option, but be careful of glare. You will also need a reflector or flash to direct the light onto the subject's face. Window lighting works well for indoor photography, but again you will need a reflector to illuminate the shadowed side of the subject's face.

What is a reflector? This is any object that reflects light, directing it towards the subject and softening the shadows. You can buy special reflectors from manufacturers such as Lastolite, or you can make your own from a large piece of white cardboard or paper. Photographers need reflectors because the available light is rarely ideal. And with their help you can take control of the light.

4. Learn to use camera settings

To take good pictures, you need to be able to control your camera. Don't leave it on automatic. Learn how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO affect the look of your photo.

Next time you shoot, try using Aperture Priority mode and setting it to its widest setting. This will give you a great blurred background. If the day is sunny, try ISO 100. If it's cloudy, try ISO 400. The shutter speed will be set automatically.

Learn how to use your camera correctly to get similar photos. Photo: Unsplash.

Always shoot in RAW format. It provides the most post-processing capabilities.

5. Avoid “posing”

You can learn a lot about posing by studying photographs and fashion magazines. However, don't get carried away - you can often get better results if you ask the person to fool around on camera. Ask him to relax and act naturally. Then you will get photos full of life.

Even unusual poses can work. Photo: Unsplash.

6. Play with movement

Get creative. Ask the person to stand straight while others around them move. Place your camera on a tripod for best results.

Don't take the same photo over and over again. Play with movement or different elements such as windows. Photo: Unsplash.

7. Conclude a model release

If you plan to sell photos, it's worth getting a signed model release. This is a simple document that confirms the model's permission to sell photographs of her.

In general, a photo posted on a website or magazine does not require a model release, as it is considered editorial use (as long as you do not defame the subject, of course). If you plan to sell a photo for use in advertising or other promotional material, it is better to take care of this.

If you want to sell your photos, don't forget about the model release. Photo: Unsplash.

Find out about the laws in your country. Some countries, especially in Europe, have strict privacy laws that govern the use of captured images. When in doubt, sign the release. It is better when it is there and you are selling photos with the model's permission than when it is not there.

So, you bought (or begged from your parents) your first serious camera. Our congratulations! Often, when the puppyish delight of all these spinning wheels, mysterious buttons, interesting levers passes, then a completely logical question immediately arises: what should I do now to learn how to take beautiful photographs? Where is the magical mode called “100% Cool Shot”. How to learn to take cool photos?

In order not to fuel your confusion caused by the ominous words: ISO, aberration, bokeh and aperture, we decided to make it easier for you to find the information you need and have collected the most important and useful tips on the topic: “how to learn to take good photographs.” And we dedicate the resulting small reminder to you, aspiring amateur photographer.

How do you know how good your photo is?

First of all, you need to understand the concepts. How can you tell a good professional photograph from a bad one? First of all, you should pay attention to the lighting. You don’t have to immediately run to the store for professional studio equipment. Your main ally is a well-chosen angle, time and place of shooting, when natural lighting will show its the best side. From this we can conclude: the subject of shooting is not as important as what perspective you choose for this object.

If we talk about technology, then you can take a beautiful photo with anything, even with a phone that only has a 1 megapixel camera in its arsenal; the desire to learn is what is really important. Although professional photographic equipment will make your life much easier.

And now, you have a beautiful new camera with a bunch of buttons that you can’t wait to figure out. You must understand what your camera can do, what its advantages are and how they can be used to advantage. For example, you can’t make a good portrait with excellent depth of field using a point-and-shoot camera, but you can quite convey the mood of the photo and the composition.

How to learn to take photographs professionally?

Practical advice

Tip #1. The first thing you need to do is study the instructions for your unit in detail. You need to understand all the functions, find out what each of the buttons is for and what will happen if you turn that wheel over there. Most frequently asked question question that arises for beginners is: what mode should be used to do professional photos? Unfortunately, there is no one regime for all occasions. In order to learn how to take great photographs, you need to become more familiar with shutter speed and aperture. Getting to know shutter speed will give you magical shots of the city at night, and you'll fall in love with aperture when you start photographing people.

Tip #2. The next important aspect that you must master is the ISO value (photo sensitivity of the matrix). You need to understand that beautiful landscape Do not capture at high ISO values: noise will certainly arise. At night, it is advisable to photograph from a stand or from a tripod. And if the subject is in motion, and the shutter speed cannot be longer, then it is best to raise the ISO slightly so that the frame does not blur. For photographing restless children and animals.

Tip #3.The lens is also an important component of photography. It’s not difficult to guess that each lens has individual characteristics that in one way or another affect the final result. If you don’t know what the letters on your lens mean (what a shame), then immediately start studying the markings. The main parameter of any lens, which most influences its cost, is aperture. Before you spend extra money on another lens, figure out whether you really need it. Do you want to experience the mysterious depth of field or just enjoy a good focus? Knowledge is power that will help protect your wallet from unnecessary purchases.

Tip #4. In cases where there is not enough lighting, you have to use a flash. Keep in mind that the flash already in the camera is only suitable for situations where the main light source is behind the subject or in harsh conditions. daylight. You should not try to shoot indoors with the built-in flash, otherwise you are guaranteed to get a glare on your face and a not-so-nice shadow in the background. Although in order to achieve a certain mood of the photo you can break all the rules, the main thing is that the photo turns out “with soul”.

Tip #5. Don't ignore white balance. The color rendition in your photo depends on this. If you want to take a photo of a sunset that can get more than 100 likes, then learn how to configure this function correctly.

Tip #6. If your photos turn out blurry, then you shouldn’t immediately call your camera or lens unflattering names. Maybe it's all about you? See what you're doing wrong, check your settings.

Tip #7. Don’t forget about the possible appearance of chromatic aberrations, which like to creep into the frame along with the sun. Also be aware of diffraction, which can ruin sharpness in macro mode. Take into account distortion with wide-angle lenses as well. Google all these phenomena and learn their definitions by heart.

Tip #8. Remember about filters. A gradient filter will allow you to get an incredible effect, a polarizer will show the true beauty of the blue sky, and a protective filter can protect your lens from all kinds of scratches and water.

By following all these rules, you can easily take the “correct” photo. Beauty depends on emotions, ideas, mood, imagination: they can only be developed. Be inspired by the work of other photographers, communicate with colleagues and, of course, learn.

In our school you will find . You will not only learn how to take beautiful photographs, but also master retouching, professional equipment and many other useful things.