All of us want to take better photographs. We like it when our photos are admired by others, but there comes a point when we reach our limits. How do you take your photography to the next level?
Here are 7 easy steps that will help you take your photography to the next level, simply and easily without expensive courses.
1. Think before you shoot
This is one of the fundamentals of photography but so many people fail to take it to heart. I call it the disease of digital photography. Because digital costs nothing after the initial outlay people shoot too many images too quickly and expect a great result. It doesn't work like that. In the old days of film photography, when the costs were high, we thought before pressing the shutter button because it was expensive not to. By thinking carefully and giving the scene or subject some thought you are one step ahead of the others. Begin with the end in mind. Have an idea of what you want, think about it and only then take the shot.
2. Consider your composition
This is really an easy step, but either people don't care about it or don't know about it. Look again at the scene or subject before raising the camera to your eye. What do you want to include in the final image? If there are elements that you want to remember keep them in and those that you don't leave them out. Is there any clutter like garbage, trees, cars that will spoil the image. Then finally, place your subject in the right place. Use the rule of thirds (Google this to learn more) to place your main subject and create a focal point.
3. Keep it simple
Photography is perceived by many to be complex with rules that need to be learned before good photos can be created. Not so. KISS "Keep It Simple Silly" should be the motto. Keep your background clear and uniform and a single colour. Remove all the non-essential elements and place your subject correctly. Less is more as the old adage goes. If you want to remember more then shoot another photo, but, don't try get everything in all at once. Digital costs nothing so shoot away.
4. Get in closer
Focus on your subject. Use your feet to get nearer, then your zoom so that more of the subject is in the image. There is no need for all the elements that don't belong in the image. Look at each part and ask the question, "does it need to be there". By getting in closer you automatically exclude all the non-essentials and the clutter. By considering the composition carefully you'll find that it isn't necessary to have the whole subject in the photo.
5. Look for detail
By getting in closer, as mentioned in point 4, you are going to discover details that you hadn't noticed before. Take a tree for example, tall and green standing solid. Very ordinary and, not very interesting. By getting in closer and looking for detail you will find a world within worlds. The patterns and texture are amazing. Little shoots of new green growth framed against the grey gnarled bark and even insects going about their daily business. Getting the picture (pardon the pun)? There is so much more to photography if you look at the detail.
6. Add bold colours
When you're out on a photo walk looking for subjects to shoot, look out for colour. By adding more colour, bold saturated colours and strong contrasting colours to your image you'll add an element that will lift the quality to new levels. Get in close and exclude other colours. Shoot bright reds against an azure blue sky, simply framed. Find complementary colours and contrasting colours. Use a polarising filter and watch the results when your colours are strengthened. Take a single colour and shoot a theme, just reds or only blues.
7. Practise makes perfect
And, finally the most important step to raising your game, practise. So many people take their cameras out once a week and hope that somehow they'll start taking better images. It doesn't work like that. "The harder I practise, the luckier I get," says Gary Player, international golfing legend. Any professional will tell you that the more they practise the easier it gets. So why not you?
I wish that more and more people would sit and consider their photography hobby while asking the question, "What do I want from my photography?" If you don't ask the questions you won't make decisions to implement changes that will take you to the next level.
Do you want to learn more about photography in a digital world? I've just completed a brand new e-course delivered by e-mail. Download it here for free: http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/ To learn how you can take your photography from ordinary to outstanding visit http://www.21steps2perfectphotos.com/21steps.htm
Wayne Turner has been teaching photography for 25 years and has written three books on photography.
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