Mastering the Art of Photography: Tips and Tricks

If you are serious about your photography, then you will want to progress your skills. It can be hard at first and so it's always welcome if someone gives you some good advice to help you on your way. Well, here are some tips and tricks to get you started:

1. Know your camera: Familiarize yourself with the settings and controls of your camera to make the most of its features.
2. Study composition: Study the rule of thirds, leading lines, and other composition techniques to create visually appealing photos.
3. Experiment with light: Play with natural light, artificial light, and shadows to create different moods in your photos.
4. Use manual mode: Get out of auto mode and experiment with manual settings like shutter speed, aperture, and ISO to have more control over your photos.
5. Edit your photos: Use editing software to enhance your photos and bring out the best in them.
6. Keep practicing: The more you practice, the better you will become. Take photos regularly and keep experimenting with new techniques.
7. Get inspired: Look at the work of other photographers and find inspiration in their photos to improve your own.
8. Tell a story: Think about the story you want to tell with your photos and try to capture that in each shot.
9. Stay organised: Keep track of your photos and organize them so you can easily find and access them in the future.

Looking at some of these in more detail:

Know your camera

Most people fail to read the manual when they buy a new camera, which is a big mistake. However, once you have read the manual, what next? Well, there are plenty of excellent books out there. Here are some examples:

You can also sign up for online course geared to your camera or workshops. As well as camera manufacturers, some dealers also run courses. Check out these links:

Udemy - Choose from 213,000 online video courses with new additions published every month, including camera manufacturer specific ones.

Nikon School - A range of courses delivered through Zoom in an easy to access and intuitive manner

Canon UK - Get inspired with tips and techniques to get the most out of your Canon camera.

Fujifilm UK - The Fujifilm Beginner course has been designed for photographers that are just starting off their journey with a Fujifilm camera.

Sony UK - Sony Alpha Academy is our FREE e-learning platform for our Sony Alpha community.

Olympus - Welcome to the OM SYSTEM Learn Center. Whether you're an OM SYSTEM camera owner or are considering making the switch, discover tips, events, and more to help you learn.

Open College of the Arts - We’re an open-access photography courses college, this means that you do not have to have completed any specific qualifications prior to enrolling. All you need is a keen interest in cameras and areas of photography, and you can begin to pursue your interest at a higher level to broaden your skills and build a portfolio.

Study composition

Composition comes naturally to some but most of us need to leant to understand some of the rules of composition to get the best out of our photography. Some fo these rules of composition may be familiar, others not to much.

1. Rule of Thirds: Divide the frame into thirds horizontally and vertically, and place the subject along the lines or at the intersection points for a balanced and harmonious composition.
2. Leading Lines: Use lines within the frame to lead the viewer's eye towards the subject, creating a sense of direction and depth.
3. Symmetry and Patterns: Use symmetry or repeating patterns to create a sense of balance and harmony in the photo.
4. Diagonal Lines: Use diagonal lines to create a sense of movement or tension in the photo.
5. Backgrounds: Pay attention to the background of the shot and try to keep it simple and uncluttered, or use it to enhance the subject in creative ways.
6. Negative Space: Use negative space to isolate the subject and draw attention to it.
7. Balance: Try to balance the elements in the photo, either by using symmetry, or by adjusting the placement of objects to create a visual balance.
8. Framing: Use elements in the foreground, background, or environment to frame the subject and draw attention to it.
9. Simplicity: Keep the composition simple, with a clear subject and minimal distractions.

These rules are just guidelines, and the most important thing is to experiment and find what works best for you and the story you want to tell with your photos.

Example of using diagonal lines in an image - Copyright Steven Dale 2023.

Use of leading lines in an image

Here are some books you might find useful on composition in photography:

Hopefully you found this post useful. Thanks for reading.